DxO Optics Pro 5.3

CATEGORIES: Product Reviews, Software | Dave Huss | February 17, 2009

IMAGE QUALITY ENHANCEMENT FOR DIGITAL SLRS

DxO Optics Pro 5.3 What does DxO Optics Pro do? I think of DxO as an excellent RAW converter with lots of options—like a Swiss Army knife. What is it? It’s a tool that can be integrated very smoothly into either your Lightroom or Photoshop workflow.

But Photoshop and Lightroom have their own RAW converter, so why would you need DxO? Well, consider that DxO now performs noise removal before RAW conversion takes place and it’s actually filtered before de-mosaicing. According to DxO Labs, this approach prevents the noise effects at each pixel location from spreading to neighboring pixels. In my limited testing, I saw an improvement with low-light images shot at ISO 6400, and even greater improvement on images shot at higher ISOs when compared with the built-in Adobe noise-removal methods.

Beyond RAW conversion, DxO corrects lens distortions automatically for most camera and lens combinations. It also removes chromatic aberration (purple fringing) effectively and automatically.

DxO Optics Pro was one of the first applications to offer Lightroom plug-in support and in my tests, I used Lightroom to open and manage the images but would pop them into DxO for correction of lens distortion, chromatic aberration, and color—yes, color. Although I bring this up last, I think it’s the best feature. There’s something that the DxO software does during color correction that really makes the colors in the image look better. By fitting DxO into my Lightroom workflow after a shoot, my resulting photos are finished quicker and look better.

Download the free, fully functional, 14-day trial from the website and see for yourself. The software is available in two versions: DxO Optics Elite and Standard—Elite provides support for high-end professional cameras.—Dave Huss

PRICE: $169 (Standard); $299 (Elite)
FROM: DxO Labs
WEB: www.dxo.com
RATING: 5

LAYERS VERDICT
HOT Noise reduction
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Visitor Comments »

I have version 5.3.2 and am very pleased with its performance. I find I have little need for a cataloging function or “special effects” like Photoshop Elements provides, so I am glad I stumbled upon DxO. However, my PC is biting the dust, what with motherboard problems (eMachines T6528), and I am looking at replacing it sometime. I’m not looking for am opinion from someone who does personally or has some knowledge of the systems (Windows or Mac O/S) which would be best for this application. I was considering an iMac, but it seems so much more money than to just get a new PC tower. Also, which video card is best; I currently am using the nVIDIA GeForce 6100 GPU but I hear that Mac also uses this one? Thanks.

Comment by Michael Hach | April 9, 2009 @ 6:27 am

I have latest version ELITE 5.3.3 and I am very disappointed ! Software is sort of OK ( Aperture, LightRoom and Phase ONE MUCH BETTER CHOICE … )

I am working pro-photographer and obviously software developer support is very essential part of package. In instance of DxO this support incentive is has absolute absence !

This software is a waste of $250.00 US !

Comment by J.V.H. | May 4, 2009 @ 5:43 pm

I use DXO Elite and am always impressed by the lens corrections it performs. For geometric corrections I don’t know of anything better.
I have two DSLRs one of which I struggle with DXO colors but with the other I am very pleased with the output.
The interface could use some polishing but all in all it is a program I would recommend. DXO offers a free trial and if you need more time after the 30 days they are generally willing to extend that time.

I say check it out.

Comment by braab | May 6, 2009 @ 5:30 pm

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