RAW Titans Face Off - I - Overview

RAW Converters

Version: (see table)

Canon DPP3

Bibble Pro 4

Optics Pro 4

Lightroom 1

Lightzone 3

by Thomas Theuerkorn, ©June 2007

RAW With the surge of dSLR cameras in popularity, a previously unknown format made its appearance and is now the first choice of professionals and serious amateurs (a.k.a. enthusiasts). While more a negative than a picture, it offers great flexibility and optimized quality if you're using the right software to get the most out of it. And this is what this review all about: some of the currently most popular and most powerful RAW converters on the market. Early 2007 saw the release of a number of programs like Adobe's Lightroom v1.0, Lightcraft's Lightzone 2, and DxO Optics Pro.

I intentionally left out the almighty CameraRAW which is a plug-in for Adobe's Photoshop since it's essentially the same in v4.1 as Lightroom 1.0 regarding picture processing capabilities. High complexity (of the overall package) and a price tag to match put this behemoth in a different class and for most photographers it's not that practical anyway. Besides, looking only at the RAW functionality, more specific applications certainly have an advantage. I did include Canon's Digital Photo Professional v3 as a reference for a respectable free RAW converter representing entry level choices often specific to a manufacturer.

Unlike typical acronyms like JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), RAW really doesn't stand for anything other than the word implies - "Unprocessed". In the case of a digital camera, that means that the recorded image is more a faithful (digital) capture of each pixel without any modification other than analog-digital conversion. In the case of the popular Bayer sensor, that means each pixel is recorded in typically 12 bit (4,096 shades) of the respective primary color (Red, Green or Blue). Since each pixel contains only one primary color it also records only 1/3 of the full color spectrum. Complex algorithms "guess" the missing two color components based on their neighbor and the luminance value.

RAW conversion process (Demosaic)

[RAW] - The illustration shows the typical sensor arrangement in a Bayer sensor, the most common form of digital photo sensors (CCD and CMOS). The RAW format is basically not much more than a digitized read-out from the sensor, representing the exposure value for each cell. The Green cells equal the number of red and blue together and function as both the obvious color component as well as luminance (with the human eye being the most sensitive to this wavelength). Despite the common configuration, differences in RAW files are easily explained by sensor specifics as well as proprietary packaging methods and storage of metadata such as focal length, white balance and other parameters.

The conversion from RAW into JPEG is called demosaicing and refers to the fact that one pixel is reconstructed from the content of four tiles (or mosaic). If that happens in the camera, the applied algorithms are basically fixed to what the firmware is programmed. The RAW file offer greater dynamic range by virtue of maintaining the original signal and allowing applying advancements in technology to demosaic your pictures by software upgrades of your favorite RAW converter.

RAW offers great flexibility since the picture is recorded in 12 bit color depth per primary color while JPG for instance is limited to 24 bit for the whole spectrum (8bit per primary). When post-processing a RAW picture like expanding a portion of the histogram, it's much easier to extract detail (i.e. dark portions), while JPG easily shows problems in form of banding or posterization besides compression losses. Further, JPEG pictures are already "baked" (i.e. White Balance) while RAW has not been "corrected" for any given color temperature or light source. The popular picture modes in consumer cameras also alter the picture and processes like sharpening are not easily reversible. An extreme case might be shooting in B/W, where a JPG has no recoverable color information while RAW pretty much just holds a parameter in the EXIF data to instruct the viewer to consider this a B/W picture. The setting can be reversed and color restored if needed.

For more detail on the underlying functionality of RAW conversion please [Click Here].

[Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 1.0] - Adobe is walking a thin line between Lightroom and CameraRAW (Photoshop). While currently virtually identical in processing functionality, the differences are reduced to the Library and extras like Slideshow and Web generator. Overall Lightroom provides an excellent interface, fast performance, and good color/exposure control. However, the Library can become a hassle as pictures need to be imported and the closed format doesn't allow easy synchronization between computers. It's also virtually neglecting distortion, by reducing it to horizon leveling. Chromatic aberration is purely manual and not suitable for automated processing. Yet, Lightroom is a solid choice if a broad selection of supported cameras and a few extras are worth your money. After all, it's the most expensive solution in this overview.
-> best feature: proven RAW engine
-> worst feature: limited optical correction

[Bibble Pro 4] - At the lowest price for a third party tool, Bibble Pro also packs an impressive punch with lens specific geometry correction and detailed noise reduction and sharpening. It's the only one in this test available for Linux and overall conversion speed can be quite respectable (but not guaranteed). The list of supported cameras is extensive and plug-ins allow extension to truly impressive functionality. Functionality can be greatly extended via plug-ins, which makes Bibble Pro 4 the only RAW converter to provide an open architecture to do so. (For instance, the plug-ins Ansel and Percy add zone editing and keystone correction respectively. Both are available for $20 each at nexi.com but optinal nevertheless.) However, a hard to navigate interface with cryptic names is the most obvious shortcoming, while problems in demosaicing and overall sharpness hold put a damper on the enthusiasm. Nevertheless, it's a very good choice considering the price.
-> best feature: extendability (plug-ins)
-> worst feature: incoherent interface

[Digital Photo Professional 3] - It's free and functionality covers the basics. With the algorithm optimized for one manufacturer only, results are impressive enough to make this a your everyday work horse. The better the input, the greater the chance that DPP3 will satisfy. Most notable are the fast rendering, spot removal and clone feature. Recently released styles allow to quickly get a certain style, and for some this may be all you need. Of course it cannot be overlooked that some functionality (like chromatic aberration) simply doesn't exist and more demanding users are likely to purchase a more powerful converter anyway.
-> best feature: good quality conversion (and it's free)
-> worst feature: no advanced corrections

[DxO Optics Pro v4] - DxO Optics Pro 4 builds on the company's expertise in analyzing optical properties of certain camera and lens combinations. It offers impressively quick results through predefined geometry correction, chromatic aberration and sharpening. This also happens to be a potential limitation since for some functionality and best image quality, DxO has to support your camera and lens (EXIF data). Prosumer cameras (i.e. Canon 30D or Nikon D200) can take advantage of the full featured Standard edition at an attractive price, while professional cameras (like Canon 5D or Nikon D2x) require the more expensive Elite edition. However, the optional FilmPack ($69) plug-in does diminish some of the price advantage.
-> best feature: optical correction
-> worst feature: limited camera support

[LightCrafts Lightzone 3] - LightCrafts brought the focus back on a technique in traditional photography that has been both acclaimed and discounted. LightZone brings the concept to digital photography and adds Zone editing to RAW converter. This being the most important feature, it's also the main draw for the Basic version as an external editor for other programs. However, the remaining feature set in the full version falls a bit short relative to the price. The Zone system may not be enough to make up for missing distortion or chromatic aberration.
-> best feature: zone editing
-> worst feature: no optical correction

These programs do more than just translating the sensor data into a computer readable image. Despite similar goals, the approach can be quite different and so is the functionality. Often it depends on personal preference and experience which one is best suited for your needs. There is no clear winner, and each has their own advantages and shortcomings. In the end, each is a winner in its own rights, but fails to emerge as the undisputed winner. You will, however, find a wide spread of opinions which favor one or the other.

The table below is designed to allow for a quick comparative overview between the contestants. Colored cells help to identify where a specific program is either lacking (red) or shows and exceptional implementation. If there is no such distinction for a specific feature, the differences are not significant enough. Canon's Digital Photo Professional tool runs outside the competition as it's a respectable but limited tool. Nevertheless it's a free tool for EOS owners. It's fast and a good choice for Canon users that don't want to spend money on an extra RAW conversion tool.

.	Digital Photo Prof.	Bibble Pro	DxO Optics Pro	Photoshop Lightroom	LightCrafts Lightzone
.
Version	3.0.2	4.9.8b	4.5	1.1	3.0.6
MSRP	-	$130	$159/$299	$299	$249
Win / Mac / Linux	/ - / -	/ /	/ / -	/ / -	/ / -
Vista Compatible
Downloadable Demo	n/a
Dual Core support
Maintain original
File formats	RAW, JPG	RAW, JPG	RAW, DNG, JPG, TIF	RAW, DNG, JPG, TIF	RAW, DNG, JPG, TIF
Camera support (RAW)	Canon only	Canon, Epson, Nikon, Minolta, Leaf, Leica, Olympus, Fuji, Sony, Pentax, Kodak, Mamiya, Panasonic, Samsung, Sigma	Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Kodak, Sony, Pentax, Olympus, Panasonic, Konica-Minolta, Samsung	Canon, Contax, Epson, Nikon, Leaf, Leica, Olympus, Fujifilm, Sony, Pentax, Kodak, Mamiya, Panasonic, Samsung, Sigma	Canon, Nikon, Konica-Minolta, Sony, Pentax, Olympus, Kodak, Fuji, Leica, Panasonic
IPTC/EXIF editor	-	/ -	- /	/	/ -
GPU support	-	-		-	-
HDR support	-	-	-	-	-
Workflow
Multiple Albums	-	-			-
Browser / Organizer
Batch process
Rating System
Approve / Reject flags	- / -	- / -	- / -	/	- / -
Color tags	-	-	-		-
Workgroups	-	-	-		-
Before/After Comparison		-
Support Tools
Histogram: Luminance / RGB	/	/	/	/	/
Regions (mask)	-	-	-	-
Layers	-	-	-	-
Tonal / Brightness Tools
Picture Styles / custom	/ -	-	/	/	/
Tone curve Global / RGB	/	/	/	/	(via zones)
Zones	-	(plug-in)	-	(4)	16
Fill light	-				(via zones)
Highlight recovery	-				(via zones)
Skin tone adjustment	-		-	-	-
Color Functions
WB preset / custom	/	/	/	/	- /
MultiPoint color correction	-	-	4	-	-
B/W conversion	Luminance/filter	(plug-in)	Luminance	8 color filters	1 color filter
Film style simulation	-	(plug-in)	(via FilmPack)	-	-
Camera style simulation	-	-		-	-
Vibrancy: Manual / Auto	-	/ -	/	/ -	/ -
Contrast: Global / Local	/ -	/ -	/ smart	/ -	/
Hue / Saturation	/	/	/	/	/
Details / Correction
Sharpen RAW / RGB	/	- /	/	- /	- /
Vignetting	-
Chromatic aberration	-				-
Lens specific distortion	-			-	-
Spherical distortion	-	-		-	-
Level Horizon	-
Keystoning (perspective)	-	(plug-in)		-	-
Noise: Chrom. / Lumin.	/		/	/	/
Red Eye Removal (humans)	-	-	-
Blue Eye removal (animals)	-	-	-	-	-
Spot (Dust) Removal			-
Clone feature	-		-
Crop picture
Alignment grid display	-			-
Soft proofing	-		-	-
Defect pixel correction	-		-	-	-
Manual demosaic adjust	-		-	-	-
Extras
Print: single / portfolio	/ (plug-in)	/	- / -	/	/ -
Watermark	-	(plug-in)	-		-
Print EXIF details	-		-		-
HMTL generator	-		-		-
Website upload	-	-	-		-
Overall	(free)	Good	Very Good	Very Good	Good

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RAW Titans Face Off - I - Overview

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