franbires

First of all, I want to thank everyone who responded to my query about purchasing a Canon 6D vs 7Dii. I am finding myself wanting to do more post processing. I have Canon's DPP program but wanted to get some input from others on how this compares to PhotoShop, Lightroom, etc. I realize there are learning curves involved in using them, but that aside, how does Canon's DPP program compare to others in terms of final product? Thank You, Fran

Stan W. Loc: Tampa, Fl

You can do much more with Lightroom.

unlucky2 Loc: Hemet Ca.

Dpp is much better than Adobe at noise reduction. The "CC" subscription is a great value at $10 month the things you can do will amaze. As a Canon shooter you will use both to get truly great results. I use Bridge to quickly cull my captures (I use 128 gig cf cards and normally capture over 300 shoots) Then open my raw files in DPP and sending them to photoshop. By doing so I save multiple steps of noise reduction and sharping. Lightroom is one way of cataloging your pic's, but there are others. Camera Raw is not as good as lightroom for editing, but Camera Raw and photoshop are are unbeatable. If you deside to go with "CC" be sure and subscribe to the Photoshop Training Channel (YouTube video's) its just a great way to learn.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

DPP is a very basic tool, and for free it does a good job.
Unlike other raw editors, by default when you open a raw file in DPP it has all of the in-camera adjustments already applied, so you are starting with an image that looks just like the jpeg would straight out of the camera. Other raw processors strip all that information out and you tend to start with an image that looks dull and flatter with no sharpening or contrast applied. DPP does a good job reducing high ISO noise in images.

However, it's not all good. Deep shadow detail recovery is not nearly as good in DPP as in Lightroom and most other raw software. DPP does not support local adjustments, so any adjustment you make adjusts the entire picture. The tool for removing small distracting objects is not well implemented and of limited use. You also cannot straighten out verticals due to barrel distortion. That's the situation that occurs when the tops of verticals, like trees or buildings on the edges of the photo appear to be leaning into towards the middle of the image.

As I said DPP is a very basic program and has a very limited tool set, but it doesn't cost anything, is very configurable, and is a good place to start to learn about post-processing. Depending on your requirements, it may be the only post processing program you will ever need. You will quickly decide whether or not it meets your needs and you can always move on to something else later. Practically all post processing programs have many similarities between them and similar tools to accomplish goals. As a result, any skills you develop using DPP can be easily transferred into virtually any other program, reducing the learning curve at least for those basic tools.

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

In the long run, I anticipate you'll be happier with the $9.99 Adobe photo plan. You'll get Photoshop and Lightroom (use Classic, not the problematic cloud-based Lightroom CC). Not only do you get good editing functionality, widely-available help and documentation, but you'll also get a great photo management program in LR.

TheDman Loc: USA

Camera Raw and Lightroom are the same.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Over the past three months I seem to have migrated entirely to LR. Previously, I was only DPP and then DPP into LR. The Canon software is very capable, better when the output from DPP is 'finished' in LR. But, a workflow based entirely within LR is more efficient, saves storage space and creates finished images everyway equivalent with finished results initially converted via DPP.

LR has significantly more power and much more discretion on the application of global vs local updates. It takes training and a good deal of experience to master either of the software tools. DPP has less available training (it is free, after all), but it's less complex to use and a good place to start before making any investments in more powerful software.

The Adobe subscription model is one option. Also, Adobe still sells the standalone v6 (only via download) which supports both your 7DII and 6DII models. This provides an option to defer a subscription until you upgrade your EOS models. Given your cameras, the final v6 LR software is an option to consider along with other non-Adobe software candidates, if you're concerned about the subscription model.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

That’s correct. i’ve done comparative tests, and DPP is 1/2 - 1 stop better than ACR for low noise at high ISOs, and that’s not trivial. The other difference as msilvers has pointed out, is that DPP applies your in-camera presets to your raw shots as well as JPEGs, but in terms of editing, it is very limited compared to LR. I convert raw in DPP and then export directly into PS (there’s an export to PS in the menu) for further editing, but you may choose a different workflow depending on your needs.

unlucky2 Loc: Hemet Ca.

Really, please tell me how you print from Camera Raw.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

That is only partially correct. Lightroom does use the same camera raw engine but it is implemented differently and has a significant number of other features, options and modules that are not in camera raw. To suggest they are the same will only confuse the uninitiated.

TheDman Loc: USA

The same processing engine, which is what we were talking about.

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

Like bicycle to an Ford for LR to a lexus with PS. Get the combo and the sky is the limit.

Bison Bud

I've found DPP to be a very capable and adequate editor for most of my needs editing Canon Rebel DLSR and Canon Point and Shoot Raw files and I really like the program. However, I recently bought a used Pentax K3 and maybe I'm missing something, but I can't seem to load either the .PEF or .DNG raw files into DPP and have had to look elsewhere for a raw editor for the new Pentax files. Anyway like I said, maybe I've missed something and I thought I'd ask here if any of the experienced DPP users reading this thread know of a way to load and edit .dng files in DPP? Thanks for any possible input on this issue!

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

I use DPP3 and PSE10. I find DPP3 is very handy for quick edits, PSE10 does so much more - but it takes more time. I think DPP can do a lot more than I'm using it for but I find learning either is difficult (I'm on some far out part of the dyslexia spectrum) do hopefully you'll get to grips with them quicker.

I've got DPP4, but I managed to print DPP3 & PSE10 manuals off in an A4 format which helps me considerably.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

DPP is proprietary Canon software which edits both JPEG and RAW files. While it might be able to edit jpegs from another camera system it is only designed to edit Canon .cr2 raw files.