Zoner Photo Studio X Software Review (Autumn Update 2022)

Zoner Photo Studio X is a one-stop-shop for photo processing, organising and editing that has a fan base that's continuing to grow thanks to its reasonable price and continuation of feature releases. To update the software even further, the creators of Zoner Photo Studio X (ZPS X) have released their Autumn 2022 update bringing a better workspace, more customisation options and a faster workflow. Plus, you also get new native support for dozens of new cameras. To find out how the new features enhance the software, we're retesting Zoner Photo Studio X, focusing on what's new, so you can decide if it's the photo editing software for you. 

Zoner Photo Studio X Features

As we've previously reviewed Zoner Photo Studio X, we'll be just focusing on what's new in this update but do take a look at our previous review for a full run-down on what the software has to offer. 

With the Autumn update, you get native support for more RAW file formats meaning colours should be 'true-to-life' when editing on a calibrated monitor and talking of monitors, you can now use the full width of it as a Full View mode is now available. To speed up workflow, ZPS X will now auto-fill metadata tags after you begin typing, folders are customisable and you no longer need to switch between Editing mode and Browser mode as the Browser is now available in the Develop module. It's also easier to switch between modes as the interface has been cleaned up. 

Other new features include being able to vertically shift the filmstrip, you can share albums on Zonerama with other users and 4K video support, including the AV1 format, is also available on Zonerama. 

New features of Zoner Photo Studio X

• New native support for RAW file formats
• Full View mode
• Improvement to Metadata input
• Customisbale folder settings
• Browser mode now available in Develop Module
• Shared albums on Zonerama
• 4K video and AV1 format support on Zomerama
• Replace missing video source
• Vertically shift the filmstrip
• Change photos' crop for printing
• Easier to switch between modes 

Zoner Photo Studio X Ease Of Use & Performance

If you have previously used ZPS X, you'll probably notice a few interface changes that are designed to speed up workflow and just be a little more intuitive. In the top toolbar, you now find the Full View feature next to the preview button and map mode has been pulled out of the Browser button so you have fewer clicks to make when accessing it. The Viewer button has also been moved next to all of the other module options as, really, the Viewer is a type of module but this one is designed for showcasing images. Overall, the top panel of ZPS X looks much cleaner and it makes it easier to switch between modes. 

 If you're someone who likes to preview images or even edit/organise them without the distraction of menus and tools, you can use Full View (Shift + Enter) which you can now open multiple images at once in. If you do decide you need access to the tools while in this mode, you simply need to hover over the edges of the frame and the tool panels will appear. The Full View mode background colour is automatically set to black but you can now adjust this and set it to white if you prefer. The ZPS X team said this can help you with white balance when editing photos, but we prefer the default setting. 

Time-saving is not something any of us will say 'no thanks' to and some small changes have been made to the ZPS X workflow to help do this which includes being able to quickly switch between the 'Manager' and 'Develop' modules. Previously, you'd have to click the module buttons but now, you can simply double-click an image in the filmstrip to take you back to the 'Manager' module. You can now, also, batch edit photos when you select multiple shots found in a folder so you can export or apply presets to more than one image at once. 

Talking of folders, all folders can now be set up exactly as you want them to be so you can sort folders by name, ascending/descending order or by a custom method. These options can be applied and saved to subfolders, too. To speed things up, if there's a particular way you like to sort folders, you can do this once then click the 'set as default' button so your options are applied to all folders. More options have been added to the Display menu as well so you can do things such as view photos in a Tiles mode and you can choose to switch how you scroll through the film strip of images to vertical rather than horizontal. For further customisability, you can apply separate display settings to the filmstrip so they're different to the options you apply on your folders. 

The changes you can apply to folders is quite in-depth and probably won't be for all users but we're sure there are those who will find it very useful.

Metadata is another area the ZPS X team have spent quite a bit of time on as previously, it wasn't the simplest system to use as you had to use, what was called, 'format strings' but now it's got more intuitive. ZPS X refer to the data as 'Metadata tokens' which is just a fancy term for describing an individual bit of information. 

You can now use metadata tokens to rename files on export where you'll find predefined options or you can start typing a specific word that the software, should, complete for you. If you want to access further advanced settings, you can choose to 'Format Metadata Tokens'. You can also use this feature in the Preview mode where you can add information below a photo. You can also add additional fields above and below the photo.

We all want the reassurance that when we're editing photos they are as true-to-life as possible. Of course, a calibrated monitor will help ensure this, but so will shooting in RAW and ZPS X now supports over 50 RAW file formats, including all well-known full-frame mirrorless cameras. The team also take the time to ensure newly-supported camera models undergo DCP profiling under full-spectrum lighting inspected by a spectrophotometer to ensure colours are as accurate as possible. If you have a camera where the RAW files aren't yet supported, you can use the Adobe DNG Converter.

Other improvements include an option for changing your photos’ crop when ordering photo prints and ZPS X will tell you if video sources are missing and offer to track down the missing files for your project.

If you're someone who regularly creates videos, the compatible Zonerama (a free online photo gallery) is now compatible with 4K which includes the new AV1 format. You can also create an album to share with others to which they can add their own photos. 

Value For Money

Zoner Photo Studio X is available now priced at $5.99 per month or $59 annually.  There's also a one-month free trial available and currently, ePHOTOzine members can save 20% when purchasing the software. 

Zoner Photo Studio X Verdict

Zoner Photo Studio X is a photo management and photo editing tool that we're still, very much, happy to 'Highly Recommended'. The updates come regularly, bringing continuous improvements to the software that photographers will find useful, it's quick in use, workflow is straightforward and it's also customisable (in places). Some won't like the subscription format but as subscription prices go, it's rather reasonable. We look forward to seeing what the next update instalment brings in terms of improvements and functionality. 

Zoner Photo Studio X is still a reasonably priced, comprehensive photo management and photo editing tool for photographers.

Zoner Photo Studio X Specifications

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