I skipped version 5 and upgraded from version 4 to 6.
I can't say that I see dramatic improvement in noise reduction (it was already impressive at version 4), but the compressed DNG output is outstanding, as are the automatic dust removal feature and the marked improvement in speed during batch processing due to parallel processing.
They aren’t usually in sync for a few months because Pure Raw is released earlier in the year. The new features in PR 6 won’t make their way to Photolab for awhile yet. Rumor is that they will come in an update to PL 9 vs having to wait until 10. We’ll see.
johnvanr wrote:
I never know how the latest version of pure raw compares to photo lab.
PR6 has a new denoise mode for Bayers, the XD3. Can anyone confirm that has replaced the other XD modes and that there are only two modes, XD3 and Deep Prime 3? I'm hoping to see it in PL9, which would be useful for my final upgrade.
Kenneth Lee wrote:
I skipped version 5 and upgraded from version 4 to 6.
I can't say that I see dramatic improvement in noise reduction (it was already impressive at version 4), but the compressed DNG output is outstanding, as are the automatic dust removal feature and the marked improvement in speed during batch processing due to parallel processing.
Here's a review I found informative:
I skipped 5 and honestly the only thing that seems interesting is the compressed DNG. How much of a file size reduction is there?
Nevermind - the video was very informative. I don't really use it enough anymore but if there's a compelling option for Black Friday I'll probably consider it. I have found DXO's sales aren't as generous as they used to be.
Thanks for posting this. I don't keep up with software. I have version 4. Pretty much use it every day in batch mode. The time saving for batch on version 6 is worth the upgrade to me.
jwpstl wrote:
Photolab updated to 9.6 with features from Pureraw 6.
Thank you!
New Features:
DeepPRIME XD3 Bayer:
DeepPRIME XD3, previously available for Fuji X-Trans RAW files only, now supports all Bayer RAW files, delivering eXtra Detail retention and silky-smooth bokeh across a much wider range of cameras.
As a result, DeepPRIME XD and DeepPRIME XD2 have been removed. DeepPRIME XD3 supersedes both with superior quality and performance.
High-Fidelity DNG Compression:
A new High-Fidelity DNG Compression option significantly reduces file sizes — by up to four times — using an advanced lossy compression method designed to preserve all perceptible image information. The compression maintains full editing latitude and ensures that image adjustments and tonal flexibility remain intact, while delivering substantial storage savings.
Applied corrections include: Denoise, Retouch, Reshape, Optical Corrections (Lens Softness, Vignetting, Distortion, Chromatic Aberrations), Perspective, Horizon, Crop, and Red Eyes.
The previous DNG export options have been removed in favor of this new DNG export option. Please refer to the FAQ for full details.
AI Mask — additional Diffusion slider:
A new Diffusion slider is now available directly below the Opacity control in the mask settings, giving you finer control over mask edge transitions for more natural-looking local adjustments.
Bug fixes
Minor bug fixes and improvements.
Known Limitations:
The previous DNG export option has been removed. Existing DNG files created with prior versions of DxO PhotoLab remain fully compatible.
I do not understand why photolab 9 removed the export as dng with corrections. It worked really well- I could import the dxo dng file into adobe camera raw- and still use the super resolution action. My color corrections just worked.
Now with the new improved version of dxo---- if I want to keep any corrections (and I found dxo masking worked really well with my images), I have to export it as a tiff.
I lose some of the flexability in camera raw with the tiff files.
Some how this is progress?
No reason I see to remove capabilities and still charge more for upgrades.
Sad I am
gary
gchappel wrote:
I do not understand why photolab 9 removed the export as dng with corrections. It worked really well- I could import the dxo dng file into adobe camera raw- and still use the super resolution action. My color corrections just worked.
Now with the new improved version of dxo---- if I want to keep any corrections (and I found dxo masking worked really well with my images), I have to export it as a tiff.
I lose some of the flexability in camera raw with the tiff files.
Some how this is progress?
No reason I see to remove capabilities and still charge more for upgrades.
Sad I am
gary...Show more →
Thanks for pointing that you can't download as DNG with changes, really sad. Not upgrading to PL 9. DXO has the habit of doing these things. Taking away features during upgrades. One more example I can think of is, flipping image horizontal. They took that away a while ago.
gchappel wrote:
I do not understand why photolab 9 removed the export as dng with corrections. It worked really well- I could import the dxo dng file into adobe camera raw- and still use the super resolution action. My color corrections just worked.
Now with the new improved version of dxo---- if I want to keep any corrections (and I found dxo masking worked really well with my images), I have to export it as a tiff.
I lose some of the flexability in camera raw with the tiff files.
Some how this is progress?
No reason I see to remove capabilities and still charge more for upgrades.
Sad I am
gary...Show more →
Gary, one reason for this change might be that on March 24, 2026, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) officially published ISO 12234-4, formally establishing the Digital Negative (DNG) format as the global standard for RAW image storage.
This makes me think that DxO might have removed the DNG "with correction" because, from now on, DNG files should confirm to the new standard.
I have used Photolab for a good number of years, and in my experience the product has significantly improved over the time. Features like denoising, masking, linear curve are excellent-to-outstanding.
My only reason to complain is about the four sliders that control highlights, midtones, shadows, and black. I wish DxO reworked this tool to make it more selective. In general, I feel that DxO deserve my support; it is good to have a healthy competition with Adobe and Capture One - I am willing to give them my money, unlike some other companies.
Thank you for explaining the change in the definition of dng.
The prior "dng with adjustments" was treated by adobe acr as a "raw" file. Maybe it mathematically was not that-- but ACR accepted it. Tiff has settings a little more baked in, and I can not use the acr superresolution technique. Sad I am, but I am readjusting my workflow- and just use photolab for demosaicing and noise reduction, then export to adobe. I really like dxo masking, they did a great job- but I lose that if I export as dng, so that is not useful for me.
gary
EB-1 wrote:
What cameras give a damn about the DNG other than Leicas? I don't think Nikon would do it or do I miss something?
EBH
A relevant quote from Andrea Livieri:
"...DNG. It is currently used by:
• Camera Brands: Leica, Pentax, Ricoh, Sigma, Hasselblad, and DJI.
• Mobile Tech: Apple (ProRAW), Google (Pixel), and Samsung.
• Software: Adobe, Capture One, DxO, and many others.
While Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Fujifilm still prioritize their own proprietary formats, this new ISO status removes one of the main objections that DNG was just a “competitor’s format” from Adobe, and makes it more reasonable to expect manufacturers to start offering it as a native option over time."
gchappel wrote:
Thank you for explaining the change in the definition of dng.
The prior "dng with adjustments" was treated by adobe acr as a "raw" file. Maybe it mathematically was not that-- but ACR accepted it. Tiff has settings a little more baked in, and I can not use the acr superresolution technique. Sad I am, but I am readjusting my workflow- and just use photolab for demosaicing and noise reduction, then export to adobe. I really like dxo masking, they did a great job- but I lose that if I export as dng, so that is not useful for me.
gary
Gary, are you sure you "can not use the acr superresolution technique" on a tiff?
Another option is Topaz Photo (or their Gigapixel). Among the tools developed by Topaz, upscaling and remove are two that (in my experience) work well on tiff files. Almost surprisingly so, as their other tools can produce ugly artifacts when used on non-raw files. I still use Topaz' last perpetual Photo AI app for occasional upscaling.
Unfortunately, in 2025, Topaz switched to subscription, and their subscription costs are unreasonable to me. Thus, I cannot seriously recommend Topaz as a substitute for ACR. This is an option, however, if good quality upscaling is a critical element in one's workflow, then maybe it can be considered.
Dmitri
"A new Diffusion slider is now available directly below the Opacity control in the mask settings, giving you finer control over mask edge transitions for more natural-looking local adjustments."
This sounds interesting. As a non-lightroom/adobe user Photolab is like my only image editing tool and I've only recently starting to really try doing localized adjustment and trying to make the edges of masked area looks non-obvious is tricky.
ruthenium wrote:
A relevant quote from Andrea Livieri:
"...DNG. It is currently used by:
• Camera Brands: Leica, Pentax, Ricoh, Sigma, Hasselblad, and DJI.
• Mobile Tech: Apple (ProRAW), Google (Pixel), and Samsung.
• Software: Adobe, Capture One, DxO, and many others.
While Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Fujifilm still prioritize their own proprietary formats, this new ISO status removes one of the main objections that DNG was just a “competitor’s format” from Adobe, and makes it more reasonable to expect manufacturers to start offering it as a native option over time."
Anything to avoid Adobe will be good, but if the camera makers don't produce software like DPP, there will be even fewer options. Hopefully it will not happen in my lifetime.
Gary, are you sure you "can not use the acr superresolution technique" on a tiff?
At least on my win11 system, acr superresolution is not available on a tiff file.
I do use gigapixel- and it works well. The adobe super resolution model is just easier and fits into my workflow seamlessly and quicker. Not a big deal, but I hate to change my workflow for no real reason
gary
ruthenium wrote:
Gary, one reason for this change might be that on March 24, 2026, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) officially published ISO 12234-4, formally establishing the Digital Negative (DNG) format as the global standard for RAW image storage.
This makes me think that DxO might have removed the DNG "with correction" because, from now on, DNG files should confirm to the new standard.
I have used Photolab for a good number of years, and in my experience the product has significantly improved over the time. Features like denoising, masking, linear curve are excellent-to-outstanding.
My only reason to complain is about the four sliders that control highlights, midtones, shadows, and black. I wish DxO reworked this tool to make it more selective. In general, I feel that DxO deserve my support; it is good to have a healthy competition with Adobe and Capture One - I am willing to give them my money, unlike some other companies....Show more →
@ruthenium , thanks for the information about DNG being made as a standard RAW format. That makes a lot of sense now. However, as an end user I really would like to have the "download as DNG with corrections" option. I guess we can't have everything in life. Any idea when this option is going off of Photo Lab? PL 9 (Elite version) still offer this.
Sreedhar.
