Digital Camera World - UK (2022-02)

http://www.digitalcameraworld.com FEBRUARY 2022 DIGITAL CAMERA^115

xO PhotoLab is a combined
image browser and raw
processing/editing tool,
designed to deliver the
best possible lens corrections and
raw processing, together with
sophisticated local adjustments.
It does integrate with ViewPoint 3
(perspective corrections) and
FilmPack 6 (analogue film and
processing simulations), but
these programs cost extra.
PhotoLab is a non-destructive
editor, so if you want layered image
composites and more complex
effects which can only be achieved
by direct pixel adjustments, you
will still need to send images to
a program like Photoshop.
PhotoLab comes in two editions:
Essential and Elite. The Elite edition
is the more expensive, but definitely
the one to get, as it includes DxO’s
remarkable DeepPrime noise reduction
technology, and a rather good
ClearView local contrast tool.

xposure X7 is an all-in-one

program that can browse,

catalog and edit your

images non-destructively

It’s very good at regular image

adjustments, but specialises

in analogue film effects and

darkroom processes.

Exposure X7’s presets apply a series

of adjustments that you can browse

and modify manually. These include

image borders, light leak effects and

textures that you don’t get in regular

all-in-one programs like Capture One

and Lightroom. However, Exposure X7

also works as a plug-in for Lightroom

and Photoshop, and as an external

editor for Capture One, so you can

use these programs for your organising

and raw processing, and Exposure X7

solely for its effects.

If Exposure X7 has a weakness, it’s

raw processing. Raw images often

look quite noisy and a little soft at

the same time, and the highlight

recovery isn’t that good.

D E

DxO

PhotoLab 5 Elite

£199/$219

Premium-grade raw processing

http://www.dxo.com

Exposure Software

Exposure X7

$129

A calm, elegant workspace

http://www.exposure.software

Digital Camera verdict Digital Camera verdict

4.0 Excellent 4.5 Outstanding

Features Ease Results Value Features Performance Value

of use

Ease

of use

PhotoLab is rather
complicated, technical
and pricey, but if quality
and control are key,
this has to be a top
candidate. The Elite
edition’s DeepPrime
tech is remarkable.

Exposure X7’s ‘looks’

are its biggest assets,

but it also works well

as a cataloguing and

editing tool. Raw

processing isn’t

great, but everything

else is first-rate.

System requirements

Windows

Intel Core i7 4th Generation

or AMD Ryzen or faster

processor; Windows 10 64-bit

(version 1809 or later)

macOS

Intel Core i7 4th Generation

or faster, or Apple Silicon

processor; macOS

Catalina 10.15.7 or later

8GB RAM (16GB

recommended);

6GB hard disk space

System requirements

Windows

Intel Core 2 or faster

processor; Windows

64-bit edition

macOS

Intel Core 2 or faster, or Apple

Silicon processor; macOS

10.13 High Sierra or later

8GB RAM (16GB

recommended); hard

disk space not quoted

Photo-editing software Group Test

4.5 3.5 5.0 4.0 4.5 5.0 4.0 4.0