Comparison of RAW Digital Image Processing Programs.
Both Phase One and DxO have released new versions of their RAW digital image processing software (DxO Optics Pro 8, and Capture One Pro 7). The following image of a horse in an open-air horse trailer outside of Taos, New Mexico was taken from within a van during ANPAT 12. The image was processed as follows: 1) The imbedded jpg image extracted using Color Bits “Photo Mechanic”; The RAW image converted to jpg using Nikon View NX2; 3) The RAW image processed with Nikon Capture NX2; 4) The RAW image processed with Adobe Lightroom 4 (using the Adobe RAW engine); 5) The RAW image processed with Phase One Capture One Pro 7; and 6) The RAW image processed with DxO Optics Pro 8. There is a tint in the window of the van, so adjusting the white balance is tricky. Some of the RAW processors do better than others adjusting and correcting the white balance. Most RAW image processors have the ability to correct for lens distortion. DxO Optics Pro 8 has the largest collection of profiles for lens distortion correction. Capture One Pro 7 only has lens correction profiles for a few (high end/Pro) lenses, and did not have the profile for the camera/lens used for this image.
Let me know which version you like or dislike (either reply to the blog post or e-mail).
Horse in an Open Air Horse Carrier on the Highway into Taos, New Mexico. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V1 camera and 30-110 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 30 mm, f/3.8, 1/2000 sec). Imbedded JPG extracted with Photo Mechanic. (David J Mathre)Horse in an Open Air Horse Carrier on the Highway into Taos, New Mexico. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V1 camera and 30-110 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 30 mm, f/3.8, 1/2000 sec). View NX2 JPG image. (David J Mathre)Horse in an Open Air Horse Carrier on the Highway into Taos, New Mexico. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V1 camera and 30-110 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 30 mm, f/3.8, 1/2000 sec). Raw image processed with Nikon Capture NX2 (David J Mathre)Horse in an Open Air Horse Carrier on the Highway into Taos, New Mexico. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V1 camera and 30-110 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 30 mm, f/3.8, 1/2000 sec). Raw image processed with Adobe Camera Raw – Lightroom 4. (David J Mathre)Horse in an Open Air Horse Carrier on the Highway into Taos, New Mexico. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V1 camera and 30-110 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 30 mm, f/3.8, 1/2000 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 7. (David J Mathre)Horse in an Open Air Horse Carrier on the Highway into Taos, New Mexico. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V1 camera and 30-110 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 30 mm, f/3.8, 1/2000 sec). Raw image processed with DxO Optics Pro 8. (David J Mathre)
