jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

I'm using Capture 1 23 and looking for UHH feedback regarding these two programs.
Not looking to spending 'time' with manipulating (right now). But must have a good 'easy' program to use and will import unedited DNG or Tiff to CP1.
Thanks for your help.

Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

Before saying much else, I should mention that I have, and I use, both programs you're seeking feedback on. That said....

You're asking for feedback on programs that have entirely dissimilar functions and/or purposes; in effect, it's as if you're asking which is the better athlete: a pro golfer or an Olympic level swimmer.

The purpose (and the strength*) of DxO PR2 is to demosaic raw image files. It cannot manipulate (crop, adjust, increase or decrease anything, etc.) images, but it can and does apply lens corrections with the check of a box. Using PR2 could consequently not be easier, and I'd assume it works as a plug-in in CP1 much the same as it does in Adobe Lr or Ps, though I can't state that as fact. Either way, or used stand-alone, PR2 will output a .dng file that can be used in, or imported into, probably any modern image editing application.

The purpose (and the strength*) of Topaz DeNoise lies in its ability to reduce or eliminate noise. While it can de-mosaic raw image files, like PR2, it is not capable of performing any image adjustment/manipulation apart from or above whichever degree of de-noising/sharpening you decide to apply. You, however, have to decide which of the (five) modes of de-noising will be best for your image, and though doing so is easy, it may not be necessarily 'simple'.

*I use PR2 to de-mosaic the raw (.raf) files created by my Fujifilm (and now, my DJI drone) cameras. In side-by-side comparisons, I've found that PR2 does nothing for my Nikon raw files that Lr doesn't do equally well so there's no point in adding an additional step. In terms of workflow, though I could de-mosaic in PR2 first, I oftentimes do not; instead, I first import whatever I'd shot that outing into Lr, look at the images, decide which files I want to work on, then de-mosaic those in PR2. My main computer is no slouch, and even though I built it some years ago --which in computer-ese translates effectively into its being several eons old--, it'll leave many of today's 'blazing-hot gaming machines' in its dust, but rather than uselessly using computing power by leaving unused programs running, I open DxO as a stand-alone (rather than as a plug-in under Lr), select the files, and let PR2 do its thing. Bear in mind, however, that PR2 does not do its thing quickly, and for that matter, neither does Topaz DeNoise.

picsman Loc: Scotland

I have both and use both because so they do not react the same with certain images. I have not analysed the differences but have found that DxO PL is consistently better than Topaz but topaz can be very good for some images. I suggest you trial both and see what works for you. I open them via Capture One with edit with so the process for using each software is the same.

picsman Loc: Scotland

I should also say I use NEF files and the deep prime most severe option in photo lab elite which I assume is the same as the pure raw version.

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

Thanks for the feedback. Having done a few trial comparisons and reading quite a bit about both; my only concern with DXO is that there may be too much sharpening at times. Maybe. Topaz allows for adjustment while DXO does not--other than not doing sharpening at all. My trial workflow is to import all .nef files into CP1 and then export the original for work in DXO and then import back into CP1. For Topaz AI, I convert the .nef to a .tiff at export and then import the .tiff into CP1. (only those that I need to denoise!) Wish CP1 worked with these as plug-ins.
I'll continue to play around with both.

picsman Loc: Scotland

I turn all settings off except the denoise but that is in PL, don’t know about pure raw. I think topaz can oversharpen but at least that is controllable.

bkwaters

A comparison of the two: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xVFshf1Yf4
It’s a few months old though and AI has been updated many times since.

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

Thanks.

mindzye Loc: WV

A possible serious consideration is Affinity. They just came out w/ a new updated version. Handles raw, full stable of raw, tiff, jpeg & others for considerable depth of adjustment capabilities. Sharpening can be done via High Pass filter as in PS.

If needed the post processed image can be taken to Topaz for further applications/ tuning.
Current work with the new Topaz Photo AI is looking promising. Just need to learn the 'tweaking' a bit.

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

Thank you. Right now looking to keep it simple..for me at least.

Lastcastmike

I use DXO Pure Raw for removing noise from high ISO images. I’ve had great success using Capture One 23. I do not use a plug in. I determine in Capture One which photos might work with DXO - I have DXO process the photos, then import the resulting photos into Capture One - and finally edit the resulting with Capture One. My cameras are a D5 - using a Nikon 300mm F4 and a Sony RX10-IV. DXO is magic.

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

Thanks Mike sounds like my current workflow as well.