DxO PhotoLab 6 First Looks
Today my favourite RAW converter, DxO PhotoLab, got an update to version 6
Let’s see what’s new
I will be doing a deep-dive into the new features soon – so make sure you keep your eye out for that 🙂
Before we start – if you want to download a copy of PhotoLab 6 to try it out for free for 30 days (no credit-card required), you can download it by clicking on the banner below:
DeepPRIME XD (eXtreme Details) pushes uses AI modelling to pull out details in high ISO images that would previously have been lost in the DeNoise process.
It also uses it’s smarts to restore colour depth, vibrancy and dynamic range that can be lost in high ISO photos.
The new DeepPRIME XD is an additional algorithm to the standard DeepPRIME found in previous versions of PhotoLab. Because of the additional processing requirements of DeepPRIME XD it can take longer to apply to an image. If you don’t need the extra features (for example on less extreme ISO shots) then you can use the standard DeepPRIME processing to save some time.
New ‘ReTouch’ tool
DxO have added a new ReTouch tool that improves the healing and cloning process.
The new ReTouch tool allows much more control over the source of the clone and allows for mirroring, rotating and scaling to help with the trickiest of healing jobs.
It also introduces brushes to fine-tune the area and ensure that the shape being cloned from and to is more accurate.
The idea is that more complex cloning and healing can be done within PhotoLab itself instead of having to send the file out to PhotoShop or other external pixel editors. It also ensures that any healing/cloning is non-destructive and can be edited/changed/removed later. Nice!
The workflow enhancement is greatly appreciated here!
Library Improvements
I don’t tend to use the PhotoLibrary within DxO (Lightroom does the heavy lifting for me there), but PhotoLab 6 does see some welcome improvements here.
It expands the range of EXIF & IPTC tags available for a photographer to use.
It also adds nesting for projects so you can now have sub-projects within a project. This would be a very welcome feature for anyone who uses the PhotoLibrary and will greatly help with organising large image collections.
PhotoLab 6 also introduces colour labels for easier visual organisation of files.
For anyone who hates using the Lightroom catalogue system and prefers to use a file-browser type system, these improvements offer a decent upgrade in organisation and usability.
Better Colour Accuracy
DxO PhotoLab 6 has introduced new colour processing algorithms that allows for a wider gammut of colours. With it comes a new, extended working colour space.
These upgrades ensure that even the most saturated colours can be faithfully reproduced on the latest wide-gamut monitors and printers.
I doubt many photographers will notice the differences when working with most files, but improvements to colour processing and accuracy are never a bad thing!
Other Features
Of course, the above features are in addition to the things that have always made PhotoLab so great. Included in PhotoLab are:
Class leading RAW demosaicing and optical corrections. This is what brought me to PhotoLab in the first place and in my opinion is still second to none.
U-Point Technology. A really easy way to do local adjustments and enhancements.
Advanced History. Allowing you to see and go back to every adjustment you’ve made to each RAW file in a non-destructive way.
… and much more. Download the trial to see everything PhotoLab can offer
PhotoLab Essential vs PhotoLab Elite
I always recommend the Elite version of PhotoLab Elite over the Essential version.
With Essentials you are missing out on:
- DxO DeepPRIME and DeepPRIME XD – the best RAW noise reduction
- DxO ClearView Plus
- Anti-moire tool
- Customisable pallettes to customise the interface to your workflow needs
- Colour rendering profiles
- Presets Editor
- … and a few other features that made PhotoLab easier to use
Price & Availability
So how much will PhotoLab 6 cost as either a new purchase or an upgrade?
If you don’t own any previous version of PhotoLab you will need to pay the full price:
- DxO PhotoLab Essential: US$139
- DxO PhotoLab Elite: US$219
For anyone who already owns PhotoLab 4 or 5, the upgrade price is:
- DxO PhotoLab Essential: US$75
- DxO PhotoLab Elite: US$99
Yes… the price is fairly high. But when you consider that you’re getting the best noise reduction, optical correction and raw file conversion packages out there… and how many images you put through it in a year… in my opinion it is well worth the price.
Should I Buy PhotoLab 6
Well – I guess that is ultimately up to you.
For me… it was a day one purchase. Putting DeepPRIME XD through its paces has already proven (to me) that the upgrade was worth it.
If you want to try it out for 30 days before you purchase, you can download the free trial (no credit-card required!) and test it out by clicking on the banner below.
The table below outlines the differences between the PhotoLab Elite and PhotoLab Essentials versions
| DxO Photolab
Elite vs Essentials | Elite | Essentials |
|---|---|---|
| Raw Conversion
Best in Class RAW Convesion | YES | YES |
| DxO Smart Lighting
Boost dynamic range | YES | YES |
| DxO Photo Library
Photo Organisation | YES | YES |
| Local Adjustments
Enhance selective areas | YES | YES |
| Control Points
Easy masking & adjustments | YES | YES |
| Control Lines
Easy masking & adjustments | YES | YES |
| Selective Adjustments of Control Points/Lines
Refine control points & lines | YES | YES |
| Local Adjustment Masks
Mask in/out adjustments | YES | YES |
| Optical Corrections
Fix lens distortion | YES | YES |
| DxO Lens Sharpness
Enhance lens sharpness | YES | YES |
| Selective Tone
Edit only select tones | YES | YES |
| Keywords Management
Keyword Tagging | YES | YES |
| Keywords Tree
Organise Keywords | YES | YES |
| EXIF Display
View photo details | YES | YES |
| Selective Metadata Export
Choose metadata to export | YES | YES |
| Metadata Copy/Paste
Easy copy between photos | YES | YES |
| Lightroom Integration
Easy workflow from Lightroom | YES | YES |
| DxO PRIME
Noise Reduction | YES | NO |
| DxO DeepPRIME
AI Powered Noise Reduction | YES | NO |
| DxO DeepPRIME XD
Noise Reduction and detail extraction | YES | NO |
| FujiFilm X-Trans Raw Conversion
FujiFilm X-Trans files | YES | NO |
| DxO Clearview Plus
Remove haze and fog | YES | NO |
| DxO Instant Watermarking
Easy add watermarks | YES | NO |
| Batch Renaming
Many files at once | YES | NO |