Consider DXO PL for that, no question at all. Then you may need Topaz for local sharpening in case you’re not happy with some blurred images. Gigapixel is good for enlarging. My recommandation : a mix of the two like DXO 90% / Topaz 10% (maybe less).
@@ForsgardPeter I really like Photo AI. I will definitely get that program (through your link :) ). I also like DXO for organizing and other things. It's a nice all-in-one tool also. I'm contemplating getting that too. I tested both apps on old photos from 2008 that I shot with a D200. Both did a fantastic job! Thus far I have been using the free apps from OM Systems and Nikon. They are great apps for being free. However, I think DXO would help me with organizing and basic editing while Photo AI would be fantastic for final sharpening, denoising, and maybe some upscaling of my best photos. I did notice that the standalone apps from Topaz are a little faster and have a few more options. The Photo Plus Bundle is $199 US for Photo AI 2, Gigapixel AI, DeNoise AI, and Sharpen AI. Topaz Photo AI by itself is $149 US. So for an extra $50 US you can get somewhat redundant stand alone apps that have a few more control features and process the photos a bit faster (I tested this). DXO is selling PhotoLab 7 Elite for $169 US. They have an Essential version for $99 US that does not include many features, like the Deep Prime sharpening. So many choices....and time is running out...
Yes, there are choices. I personally have not used any of the other apps from Topaz after Photo AI was launched. I do have them an used them before. Photo Ai can do everthing for me, but as you said in some cases the stand alone apps can do a better job and sometimes faster. What it comes to DxO PhotoLab7 I would get the Elite version. It has more tools and features. Thank you very much for the support!
Good video! I watched because although I have been a DxO Photolab for a few years now, my facebook has been flooded recently with Topaz posts and advertisements, so I was curious. I just paid to upgrade PL to 7 Elite and I don't think another purchase, of Topaz, would gain me much. Maybe the upscale, which is something DxO doesn't do (yet)?
I would say that upscaling is the biggest difference. As you said DxO cannot really do that. I would not be surproised if they added that feature in future.
I think you missed the point of Pure Raw. It's about having less options, which probably belong in a full image editor/catalogue software. It's meant to be applied in an automated way before the next stage in a workflow, like a raw converter but more capable. It has less sliders than Topaz, that's the point.
@@ForsgardPeter Yes, they are in a kind of in-between state right now. The goal is to have everything in Photo AI, also batch workflows, but they are still not there, and some folks even say that the standalone tool results are slightly better (personally I think they are similar, and it heavily depends on the input data which one will give you a better result). It sucks a little bit (mostly in theory), because if you want to have the whole suite you basically have to pay for the standalone tools too which you know will be abandoned soon, but on the other hand there is no other way around if you want to use their tools until Photo AI gets all features.
Thanks, dear Peter, for this valuable contribution TOPAZ PHOTO AI was a game changer for me since beginning of this year Before, I had the 3 separate softwares (Denoise, Sharpen Gigapx), was happy with them, but know, I'm editing all my Raw images with PHOTO AI first. Main reason: Selective sharpening! Using it a lot for my wildlife pictures , and sometimes for other genres, too. I don't like the overall sharpening of an image, as very often you can see negative side effects of the sharpening, e.g. on grass. The "autopilot" is quite good, but you can always adjust , as you said After editing it in TOPAZ AI I'm importing the Tiff file in other editors (I don't use Adobe products) Cheers and greetings from Switzerland
I've been watching all your videos from the beginning and appreciate your genuine critique and presentations. Thank you for your excellent work! I use Adobe Lightroom, PS, Capture One Pro, and all kinds of Luminar and Topaz software, but the results I have from DXO Photolab 7 and Filmpack are simply phenomenal. I was a pretty happy user of Capture One Pro for my Fujifilm camera RAW conversion for some years (RAW conversion for Fujifilm sensor cameras is better than LR, in my opinion). Still, I didn't like their subscription model. Now, I won't look back, and DXO gives me extraordinary quality images from my prime lenses of Fujifilm XT2 and XT3 as I produce them from the latest Medium Format camera!
I have/use both (and by that I mean DxO PL7, FP7, Nik 6, and VP4, as well as the Topaz DeNoise, Sharpen, and Gigapixel as well as Photo AI), as they're hardly interchangeable. Topaz can process RAWs, but it's not really a RAW processor and DxO has WAY more tools to fine-tune your imagesNeither are perfect, but I much prefer them to LR/PS. In your examples, DxO colors better match the originals and there's more detail--did you use DeepPRIME XD? You definitely need to be careful with the sliders to avoid artifacts and over-sharpening (especially with Topaz). Yeah, for B&W, nothing beats SEP! As you point out, if you have old JPGs with significant noise or scanned negatives/prints, DxO can't help you, so for those images, DeNoise is very helpful (as is Gigapixel). That's why I bought it in the first place. My main complaint with DxO is that they still haven't added G9 modules for the Laowa 6mm f/2 or ANY Mitakon lenses (I have the 25mm f/0.95). I'll wait until they add the G9II before buying one. My problem with both companies is that, although I feel their products are well worth the initial investment, even for Black Friday, they charge too much to existing users for upgrades (I just spent US$213 on DxO and Topaz wants $221--ridiculous!). I guess I'll just pop for the $74 to get Photo AI as it's basically the same as the "IQ Bundle" plus other features.
@@ForsgardPeter Tools and "tolls" (= charges) I don't think it's a choice of either/or as the DxO suite (PL or PR, Nik, FP, and VP) is very powerful and versatile--IMO unmatched control, giving you the ability to get what you want (albeit with a learning curve). Topaz (or any other software) can't match that but it has unique tools and works with any kind of file (actually, so does DxO, except for NR).
DxO deals have been 50% last years. Very unfortunate that DxO decided not to give that discount this year. PL + FP is actually 30€ more expensive compared to yesterdays bundle savings. 😢
The problem is that it won't be a good business if people always payed their next years subscribtion on Black Friday deals. I know it is unfortunate, but understanable.
Thanks Peter. You helped me decide.
Which one or maybe neither?
Perfect timing!
I was thinking about getting one of these to improve my post-processing.
Glad I could help!
Consider DXO PL for that, no question at all. Then you may need Topaz for local sharpening in case you’re not happy with some blurred images. Gigapixel is good for enlarging. My recommandation : a mix of the two like DXO 90% / Topaz 10% (maybe less).
Bought both.
I have about one decade of photos to go through over Xmas.
Thanks Peter that was excellent ... I have both and also OnOne . I especially like DXO when I'm pushed for time.
I respect your opinion. 👍
Cool, thanks.
Downloaded trial versions. Will give them a try before Black Friday ends.
That is a good way. Test the software before buying.
@@ForsgardPeter I really like Photo AI. I will definitely get that program (through your link :) ). I also like DXO for organizing and other things. It's a nice all-in-one tool also. I'm contemplating getting that too. I tested both apps on old photos from 2008 that I shot with a D200. Both did a fantastic job!
Thus far I have been using the free apps from OM Systems and Nikon. They are great apps for being free. However, I think DXO would help me with organizing and basic editing while Photo AI would be fantastic for final sharpening, denoising, and maybe some upscaling of my best photos.
I did notice that the standalone apps from Topaz are a little faster and have a few more options. The Photo Plus Bundle is $199 US for Photo AI 2, Gigapixel AI, DeNoise AI, and Sharpen AI. Topaz Photo AI by itself is $149 US. So for an extra $50 US you can get somewhat redundant stand alone apps that have a few more control features and process the photos a bit faster (I tested this).
DXO is selling PhotoLab 7 Elite for $169 US. They have an Essential version for $99 US that does not include many features, like the Deep Prime sharpening.
So many choices....and time is running out...
Yes, there are choices. I personally have not used any of the other apps from Topaz after Photo AI was launched. I do have them an used them before. Photo Ai can do everthing for me, but as you said in some cases the stand alone apps can do a better job and sometimes faster. What it comes to DxO PhotoLab7 I would get the Elite version. It has more tools and features. Thank you very much for the support!
Good video! I watched because although I have been a DxO Photolab for a few years now, my facebook has been flooded recently with Topaz posts and advertisements, so I was curious. I just paid to upgrade PL to 7 Elite and I don't think another purchase, of Topaz, would gain me much. Maybe the upscale, which is something DxO doesn't do (yet)?
I would say that upscaling is the biggest difference. As you said DxO cannot really do that. I would not be surproised if they added that feature in future.
I think you missed the point of Pure Raw. It's about having less options, which probably belong in a full image editor/catalogue software. It's meant to be applied in an automated way before the next stage in a workflow, like a raw converter but more capable. It has less sliders than Topaz, that's the point.
I know it is the point. That is why I use it sometimes. I still like to have some more control over the AI. That is why I like Topaz Photo AI.
@@ForsgardPeter Yes, they are in a kind of in-between state right now. The goal is to have everything in Photo AI, also batch workflows, but they are still not there, and some folks even say that the standalone tool results are slightly better (personally I think they are similar, and it heavily depends on the input data which one will give you a better result).
It sucks a little bit (mostly in theory), because if you want to have the whole suite you basically have to pay for the standalone tools too which you know will be abandoned soon, but on the other hand there is no other way around if you want to use their tools until Photo AI gets all features.
Thanks, dear Peter, for this valuable contribution
TOPAZ PHOTO AI was a game changer for me since beginning of this year
Before, I had the 3 separate softwares (Denoise, Sharpen Gigapx), was happy with them, but know, I'm editing all my Raw images with PHOTO AI first.
Main reason: Selective sharpening!
Using it a lot for my wildlife pictures , and sometimes for other genres, too. I don't like the overall sharpening of an image, as very often you can see negative side effects of the sharpening, e.g. on grass.
The "autopilot" is quite good, but you can always adjust , as you said
After editing it in TOPAZ AI I'm importing the Tiff file in other editors (I don't use Adobe products)
Cheers and greetings from Switzerland
The selective sharpening is indeed a very useful feature that I use all the time with PhotoAI!
I bought Topaz AI because it handles JPGs. I'm impressed. However, the difference at low magnifications is hardly noticeable for normal ISO images.
I also like the fact that Photo AI can handle jpg. It is a big advantage.
I've been watching all your videos from the beginning and appreciate your genuine critique and presentations. Thank you for your excellent work! I use Adobe Lightroom, PS, Capture One Pro, and all kinds of Luminar and Topaz software, but the results I have from DXO Photolab 7 and Filmpack are simply phenomenal. I was a pretty happy user of Capture One Pro for my Fujifilm camera RAW conversion for some years (RAW conversion for Fujifilm sensor cameras is better than LR, in my opinion). Still, I didn't like their subscription model. Now, I won't look back, and DXO gives me extraordinary quality images from my prime lenses of Fujifilm XT2 and XT3 as I produce them from the latest Medium Format camera!
Glad to hear. Thanks for the info about the qualit of the different software.
I have/use both (and by that I mean DxO PL7, FP7, Nik 6, and VP4, as well as the Topaz DeNoise, Sharpen, and Gigapixel as well as Photo AI), as they're hardly interchangeable. Topaz can process RAWs, but it's not really a RAW processor and DxO has WAY more tools to fine-tune your imagesNeither are perfect, but I much prefer them to LR/PS. In your examples, DxO colors better match the originals and there's more detail--did you use DeepPRIME XD? You definitely need to be careful with the sliders to avoid artifacts and over-sharpening (especially with Topaz). Yeah, for B&W, nothing beats SEP! As you point out, if you have old JPGs with significant noise or scanned negatives/prints, DxO can't help you, so for those images, DeNoise is very helpful (as is Gigapixel). That's why I bought it in the first place.
My main complaint with DxO is that they still haven't added G9 modules for the Laowa 6mm f/2 or ANY Mitakon lenses (I have the 25mm f/0.95). I'll wait until they add the G9II before buying one. My problem with both companies is that, although I feel their products are well worth the initial investment, even for Black Friday, they charge too much to existing users for upgrades (I just spent US$213 on DxO and Topaz wants $221--ridiculous!). I guess I'll just pop for the $74 to get Photo AI as it's basically the same as the "IQ Bundle" plus other features.
You mean that PhotoLab 7 has more tolls? Yes it has. I did not use DeepPRIME XD, I used DeepPRIME. I think it gives more natural looking images.
@@ForsgardPeter Tools and "tolls" (= charges) I don't think it's a choice of either/or as the DxO suite (PL or PR, Nik, FP, and VP) is very powerful and versatile--IMO unmatched control, giving you the ability to get what you want (albeit with a learning curve). Topaz (or any other software) can't match that but it has unique tools and works with any kind of file (actually, so does DxO, except for NR).
DxO deals have been 50% last years. Very unfortunate that DxO decided not to give that discount this year. PL + FP is actually 30€ more expensive compared to yesterdays bundle savings. 😢
The problem is that it won't be a good business if people always payed their next years subscribtion on Black Friday deals. I know it is unfortunate, but understanable.