DxO has to today announced the newest versions of its PhotoLab and FilmPack applications. PhotoLab 5 features improved sensitivity control over adjustments, better metadata management, a more efficient DeepPRIME engine that’s up to four times faster than the previous version, Fujifilm X-Trans RAW support.
FilmPack 6 also sees X-Trans support along with a new “Time Machine” feature that takes the user journey through time of how analogue photography has evolved over the years with renderings you can apply to your images. Fifteen new film stocks have also been added including popular ones from Kodak, Polaroid, Impossible, Fuji X film simulations and cinematic colour grades.
DxO PhotoLab 5 ($109.99/$164.99)
The big feature with DxO PhotoLab 5 is the new “U Point technology” which provides Control Lines with improved sensitivity settings. Control Lines extend the existing Control Points functionality, allowing users to carry out touch-ups on larger areas with easy to use selections. Control Points and Control Lines have also received new sensitivity settings, letting photographers make adjustments based on luminance and other features of the targeted areas.
PhotoLab 5 also sees new metadata and keyword management features with support for IPTC and EXIF data as well as third party application synchronisation. They say that the new version optimises the library management tools by reorganising them into an easier workflow.
The DeepPRIME engine that processes the RAW files has also received some love, bringing some nice performance optimisations. They claim that Apple M1 Silicon users will see up to a 4x speed improvement (which will be even faster on the newly announced Macs) and up to 1.5x faster on Windows machines. PhotoLab 5 also sees beta support for RAW files from Fujifilm X-Trans sensors from 18 Fujifilm cameras, including the newest X-E4, X-S10, X-T4 and X100V.
DxO FilmPack 6 ($54.99/$109.99)
DxO FilmPack 6 sees some interesting new features, including a new Time Machine which shows and educates the user on how analogue photographer has evolved through 14 different periods illustrated by iconic imagery of the time. Each photograph is documented from both a historical and technical aspect and users are able to apply the looks to their own photographs.
FilmPack 6 emulates the look of 84 analogue films, including popular stocks like Kodak Tri-X 400, Polaroid 690, Ilford HPS and Fujifilm Superia. It also sees 15 new renderings from Ektachrome Professional Infrared EIR colour slide film and the monochrome instant film for the Polaroid 600, Impossible PX 600 Silver Shade. Seven film simulation modes from Fuji’s X-Series cameras as well as six cinematic colour grading looks have also been added.
Also included with the latest version of DxO FilmPack are 20 new effects (drops, crumpled paper, etc), 15 new light leaks (light spots, haze, etc) and 15 new frames (matte black, black frame, film border, etc) to give you a lot of new creative options for your images. HSL adjustments in a new rendering engine bring the previously number of channels up from six to eight, offering more precise control. You’re also able to select your own hues for the highlights and shadows for easier and more realistic split-toning.
DxO PhotoLab 5 and FilmPack 6 are available from today with discounted introductory prices. DxO PhotoLab 5 Essential Edition and Elite Edition are available for $109.99 and $164.99 respectively, instead of their usual price of $139 and $219. DxO FilmPack 6 Essential Edition and Elite Edition are currently $54.99 and $109.99 respectively instead of $85 and $139.
Up to 1.5x faster on a PC.
V4 can take 6 minutes to export a JPEG on my laptop, way longer than v3. Running a bit faster is no solution to needing to spend two grand on a new laptop. Or else downgrade to v3.
And the upgrade price is a sick joke.