(Image credit: Rod Lawton) (opens in new tab) PhotoLab 5 is a fully non-destructive editor – here we have one image with four different 'virtual copies', each with a different editing treatment. When you want to edit an image, you switch to the Customise window, where PhotoLab will automatically apply lens corrections based on its inbuilt profiles – or prompt you to download them if you don’t have them yet. These keywords conform to IPTC standards and are visible in other programs too. Specifically, you can apply keywords and search for images with specific keywords too. New in PhotoLab 5, though, is support for EXIF and IPTC metadata. It’s not Lightroom (opens in new tab) by any means, but for those who like to organize their images with physical folders it’s fine. First, it has an improved PhotoLibrary panel where you can browse your images by folders, carry out basic searches based on image parameters and even create virtual Projects (or albums). So let’s take a look at what DxO PhotoLab 5 can do from a workflow perspective. The DxO PhotoLibrary is a basic but effective image organizer, now with EXIF, IPTC metadata support and keywords. Both versions will correct lens distortion, chromatic aberration, corner shading and even edge softness automatically, but to get the perspective correction tools we now take for granted in other software for fixing converging verticals, for example, you need to get the DxO ViewPoint add-on, which is more again. What PhotoLab does not have built in is perspective correction tools, even in the Elite edition. 1 month plan - $0 per month ($0 total cost) (opens in new tab).

Quite apart from anything else, it comes with DxO’s very effective ClearView contrast enhancement and its uncannily effective DeepPRIME noise reduction – which could completely change your mind about ‘acceptable’ ISO settings on your camera. PhotoLab 5 is sold in both Essential and Elite editions, but if you want the best that DxO’s raw processing can offer, we would recommend the more expensive Elite edition. Best laptops for photo editing (opens in new tab).Best monitors for photographers (opens in new tab).DxO Nik Collection 4 review (opens in new tab).

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