DxO Optics Pro 6has joined new raw processors from bothAdobeandPhase Onewhich were announced during the past couple of weeks. Coincidence? Maybe. But this has become a highly competitive product category and each of these companies are pressing forward hard to provide us with both enhanced productivity features and image quality so as to win our business and loyalty.

DxO Labstakes a somewhat different approach than the others, specializing up until now in image and lens correction specific to certain lenses and cameras (more than 1,600 at present). With Optics Pro 6 this continues, but along with a number of user interface as well as technical enhancements.

The key updates to Version 6 include…

•ISO limits pushed

– claimed 1 to 2 stop noise improvement over competitive products

•Extended optical fault correction

– For lenses not calibrated by DxO Optics Pro, manual control of:

– Distortion correction
– Vignetting correction
– Chromatic aberration correction
– Sharpness

•A new interface for both beginners and experts

•More calibrated cameras

– Olympus E3, E30, E410, E420, E450, E510, E520, E620, Sony A230, A330, A380, Nikon D300s

While Optics Pro 6, like its predecessors, provides comprehensive optical corrections for specific cameras on specific cameras, the new version also features manual control of distortion, vignetting, chromatic aberration and sharpness for non-supported lenses.

The interface of Optic Pro 6 has also been significantly enhanced. The layout is cleaner and more straightforward, and there are a wide range of available prompts and help screens to aid newcomers and beginners become familiar with the program. A lot of attention has been paid to workflow.

Seemingly small enhancements go a long way to reducing frustration. For example, if you have not downloaded a camera or lens module the program will automatically go online and download it as needed.

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I have not had much time to spend with Version 6, but most of its claims appear not to be hyperbole. My real issue is that I am a Mac user, and upon release Version 6 will only be available for Windows. I have tried it underParallels, but no joy I’m afraid.

A Mac version is scheduled in a few months ("Early 2010") and at that time I expect to provide a full review.

DxO Optics Pro 6for Windows, Standard and Elite editions, are now available from both DxO Labs’ e-store and selected resellers, and are available at a 33 % discount until December 31, 2009:

– Standard edition: $109 instead of $169 (or a savings of $60)

– Elite edition: $199 instead of $299 (or a savings of $100)

All customers who purchased DxO Optics Pro 5 after June 1st, 2009 are entitled to a free upgrade to version 6. All other users benefit from the following 40% discounts until December 31, 2009:

– DxO Optics Pro Standard (any version) to DxO Optics Pro 6 Standard: $44 instead of $79.

– DxO Optics Pro Elite (any version) to DxO Optics Pro 6 Elite: $69 instead of $119.

November 3, 2009