DxO’s PhotoLab 9.6 Is Here

credits: DxO

DxO’s PhotoLab 9.6 is here, bringing over the more advanced noise reduction technology the company only just introduced with PureRAW 6. This update was pretty much expected, but it is still a meaningful one, mainly because it expands support to a much wider range of cameras. Alongside that, DxO is adding new edge-softening controls for its AI masking tools, plus a compressed DNG export option.

The biggest change is that DeepPrime XD3 now works with Bayer sensors, not just Fujifilm’s X-Trans sensors like before. That opens it up to the majority of mirrorless and DSLR cameras out there. The algorithm handles both demosaicing and noise reduction at the same time, and DxO is pitching it as a strong option for high-ISO shots where you want to hold onto as much detail as possible. It also ties in with what the company introduced in PureRAW 6, so the two apps are starting to feel more closely connected.

On the editing side, the AI Masks tool gets a small but useful update with a new diffusion control, letting you soften the edges of selections and avoid that harsh, cutout look. The update also brings over compressed DNG output, which can shrink file sizes to around a quarter of a standard DNG while keeping image quality the same. There is a catch, though, you cannot convert existing DNGs into this format, you have to start from an original RAW file. PhotoLab 9.6 is available on macOS and Windows, with a new license priced at $239.99 and upgrades from earlier versions at $119.99, while existing PhotoLab 9 users get it as a free update.