I've been using the RAW converter DxO Optics Pro for many years, whenever I need to edit a lot of images in the simplest and quickest possible way and the last bit of quality doesn't matter - for example with party photos. But automatic processing is not the only advantage of the program: DxO provides correction data for many lenses, so that distortions and blurring are automatically corrected. The program is now also available for the Mac in the new version 6 and I took a closer look at the update.
In my opinion, compared to the previous version, the interface is much cleaner and the necessary settings can be found more quickly. Due to the new arrangement in the interface, the preview image is also displayed larger.
The correction data for the lenses does not appear to have changed. At least I couldn't see any difference to images developed with version 5. The differences: missing correction data is now automatically suggested and can be downloaded and installed very easily and the developed images in version 6 had all increased in file size by around 40%.
However, the processing speed has decreased. Converting the same 15 RAW files in version 6 on my computer takes a good 10% longer than in the previous version 5. There is now a display showing how long the processing is expected to take and from the third file onwards it is noticeably good . During batch processing, it is now also possible to make further changes to the outstanding files. In the old version, this only worked with my computer at the expense of very hesitant work.
The stability of the program has changed positively. Even several hundred images are processed without any problems - and should a crash occur, fortunately there is finally an automatic backup (which you have to activate in the settings) and when you restart all the editing steps you have done so far are available.
So much for the technical aspects, but the exciting thing is of course the quality of the image processing. That's why I just photographed the clothes horse with my 17-35mm at an open aperture of 2.8. All images are only scaled down to 950 pixels wide for better display. I had the camera set up to record a RAW and a JPG file. I then processed the RAWs with DxO.
The lens corrections can be clearly seen in this example if you pay attention to the vignetting and the lines. The colors differ slightly between version 5 and version 6. This is due to the existing so-called presets, which (are supposed to) make converting RAW files easier. There are simply more and better suggestions in version 6. While I never really found the right thing in version 5, I think the presets in version 6 are very successful. The example above also shows how close the edited version comes to the original - albeit with the distortion corrected.
In my opinion, it is also much easier in the new version 6 of DxO to create your own new presets and apply them to the desired images.
Another feature of DxO is the ability to reduce noise. So here's a test at ISO 6400 with my D3 and a 100% crop.
Of course, there are programs or plug-ins that will give you better results if in doubt, but the point of using DxO is to optimize numerous images with as little effort as possible.
A word about lens corrections: there is a way in DxO to easily additionally correct wide-angle shots - this is called volume anamorphosis. This allows distortions of spherical objects (heads) or elongated objects (standing people) at the edge of the image field to be corrected in a unique way. This is a great thing, especially for group shots - and really very simple and effective.
My personal conclusion: the new version 6 of DxO is a successful further development. The user interface is more manageable and I can get good results more quickly. In my opinion, an update is definitely worth it.
If you don't know the program yet, you should probably check it out trial version as there are still reduced prices for purchasing the software until June 15th. Please be sure to check beforehand which version of the program you need: Standard or Elite. I also recommend taking a look at the existing ones Correction data for lenses: the majority of your lenses should be in place so that you can get as much benefit from the program as possible.
