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DxO PhotoLab 3 Software Review

DxO PhotoLab 3 is the latest version of DxO's popular photo editing software so we're putting it to the test to find out what new features have been added.

23 Oct 2019 2:00PM by Nikita Morris | DxO PhotoLab 3 in Other Software

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Quick Verdict

DxO PhotoLab still comes 'Highly Recommended' as when you add the additional/improved tools with the already excellent line-up of features, you get a comprehensive piece of photo editing software that's easy to use and is capable of producing excellent results. The DxO ColorWheel is fun to use and the addition of Keywords to the PhotoLibarary is something we've wanted to see for a while.

Version 3 of DxO PhotoLab brings some great additions to the RAW photo editing software but adding just 4 main updates to software which was updated a little over 5-months ago might not be enough to persuade everyone to upgrade. However, those looking to switch from Adobe's subscription service or other software, who are new to DxO PhotoLab, could easily be tempted.

+ Pros

Easy to use
Quick in response
Can produce really sharp images
Good automatic lens correction
Live edits
Denoise is very useful and excellent
Excellent local adjustment tools
Easy to use masking
Good selection of presets
No subscription
Keywords can now be added
ColorWheel is fun and useful
Mask management is easier

- Cons

No history panel (but you can undo)
Minimal updates
PhotoLibrary keywords for PC users not yet fully functional
Can't edit/add EXIF data to images

DxO PhotoLab 3 is a new version of DxO's popular RAW photo editing software, for Windows and Mac, to be released and with it comes 4 main new features and added support for more cameras/lenses. However, with a previous update only arriving back in May 2019, we know some of you will be wondering if it's really worth upgrading for a few new tools and camera support so that's what we're going to find out by putting the new features/tools to the test to see how well they improve our workflow/photo editing experience.

We'll mainly be focusing on 'what's new' in DxO PhotoLab 3 so if you do want more of an overview of what the PhotoLab software is, have a look at our previous reviews: PhotoLab 2.2 & PhotoLab 1.2.

DxO PhotoLab 3 Features

DxO PhotoLab 3 updates DxO PhotoLab 2.2, released May 2019, with 4 new features and support for new cameras/lenses. Nothing has changed in the way the user interface is presented but when working in the DxO PhotoLibrary section, you can now use Keywords which is a big plus point and something that brings DxO PhotoLab 3 more in-line with Lightroom.

Since last time we reviewed the software, which isn't very long ago, support for 50,000+ camera/lens combinations are now available along with a new local adjustments mask manager and a new feature called the 'DxO ColorWheel' which is a new colour adjustment mode. The Repair Tool has also been improved.

Key Features

Local Adjustments Palette - NEW
Keywords Support - NEW
DxO ColorWheel - NEW
Local adjustments
Control Points (U Point Technology)
DxO PhotoLibrary
Repair tool - IMPROVED
DxO Lens Sharpness
RAW conversion
High-quality denoising (RAW and JPEG)
Optical corrections
DxO Smart Lighting
Spot Weighted mode
Selective tone
Image tools
Protection of saturated colours
Built-in Presets
Batch processing
Customizable workspace
Fullscreen mode
Integrated export feature
Interaction with Adobe Lightroom
Geometrical corrections
Analog and creative renderings

Key Features Only Available In The Elite Edition:

PRIME denoising (RAW)
DxO ClearView Plus
Anti-moiré tool
DCP Color profile support
Managing camera-calibrated ICC profiles
Colour rendering profiles
Multiple exports
Presets editor
Partial presets creation
Customisable palettes

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Comments

steveb127 3 1

23 Oct 2019 3:36PM

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Out of the 10 cameras added 3 are micro 4/3rds, Panasonic (and Olympus as far as I'm aware) implement lens corrections to the Jpeg file, directly and the data is also embedded into the raw file, surely DxO recognise these anyway and so are really only minor additions.

ericjlaw Plus

16 30

23 Oct 2019 6:58PM

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I am starting to get confused with what DxO are offering with their PL updates and the Nik add-ons. Only last week there was an introductory saving to go with Nik, now an introductory saving to upgrade to PL3. I have used DxO for a very long time now but I feel there is a plot being lost ever since they bought Nik.

dannybgoode 1

23 Oct 2019 11:56PM

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I’ve been a big fan of DxO since OpticsPro and did recently upgrade to PL2 Elite. However asking for another £45 ish now is frankly taking the Micheal.

You say it is an option do don’t want to subscribe to Adobe CC however their photographer package is only £9.99 p/m so I could have a years subscription to LR and PS for the money I would spend upgrading from OpticsPro to PL2 to PL3.

Charging users every few months for a new version is a subscription model. Not good enough.

JJGEE 16 7.9k 18

24 Oct 2019 8:09AM

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As this article relates to an upgrade to v 3 is this statement correct as it appears to be quite a large number ?

Quote:More than 3,000 optical modules have also been added to the database

NikitaMorris Plus

12 2.2k

24 Oct 2019 8:19AM

Like 0

Quote:As this article relates to an upgrade to v 3 is this statement correct as it appears to be quite a large number ?

We've updated the wording to make this clearer.