Twice yearly, ON1 produces free upgrades to their Photo Raw program. The newest version is just over the horizon, and it has some expected features to add, plus improvements to its existing arsenal of tools.
The 2022.5 version comes free to those who already own the software and contains some significant changes to the existing software.
If you are unaware, On1 Photo Raw Photo has an organizer that works similarly to the Library module of Lightroom Classic, a raw processor, an image editor with layers, a photo effects app, an HDR processor, and an image resizer all rolled into one package. It comes with a phone app that can be linked with it using ON1’s proprietary cloud service.
It's a clever piece of software that is accessible to users of all levels with many one-touch filters and more advanced adjustments. Much of the workflow is non-destructive.
Pleasingly but not unexpectedly, this upgrade includes full integration with the new ON1 Resize AI that I reviewed a few days ago.
The update includes batch upscaling so you can open multiple photos at once, maybe an entire folder and then adjust and sync settings across all those images.
There’s a new and improved LensMatch. This automatic lens correction will detect and remove distortion when shooting raw and using the camera manufacturer’s matched lenses. Previously, many users needed to use external lens profiles, but this is no longer the case. This function will also remember any manual profile adjustments you make so that they can be used as the defaults for a lens.
The Masking in ON1 has always been well ahead of Adobe’s game. Their Sky Swap AI has been improved with this release to give better results, particularly with trees against white skies.
It has some new features too. ON1’s excellent NoNoise AI will be enhanced to control non-raw files better. When ON1 NoNoise AI was first released, a warning box would pop up, saying it was only optimized for raw; now, it handles other file types too.
I far prefer the output of ON1’s raw processing to Lightroom. Furthermore, switching between modules is far faster than jumping between Lightroom Classic and Photoshop. Not only that, but it is also more intuitive to use than Photoshop.
Image quality is of utmost importance. Our goal is to always deliver image outputs that are better than anything else out there. We are using AI to take over tasks that you simply cannot do with other applications. We aren’t using AI to take over the art of photography or using it to take away from the creative process. - Craig Keudell, ON1 President.
For me, it’s great that virtually all the tools are available in one package, mainly because it will support the raw files of my new OM System (Olympus) OM-1 camera. It will also support the Canon EOS R5C, Panasonic Lumix DC-GH6, Leica M11, Fujifilm X-T30 II, and Nikon Z 9.
The individual modules are also available as plugins that work with other software, including Lightroom and Photoshop.
This update does not seem as dramatic as the change from 2021.1 to 2021.5. However, there has been a lot of work from their studio put into Resize AI recently. You can read my review of that software by clicking here. I look forward to seeing it in action. However, the 2022.1 version also had a host of new features:
- Liquify Tool
- Advanced Search
- Smart Albums
- Snapshots
- Crop Tool Presets
- Visualize Dust When Retouching
- Topographic Map
- Performance Improvements
- Improved Sky Swap Masks
- Updates for the latest Cameras and Lenses
- Sky Swap AI
- Time-Lapse Creation
- Integration of ON1 NoNoise AI
- Photoshop Plugin Host
- Retooled Export
- Line Mask Tool
- Backup and Restore
- Favorites in the Browse module
- Customizable Thumbnails
- Gesture Support
- Apple Silicon Native
The free update for all owners of ON1 Photo RAW 2022 will be available in June. ON1 Photo RAW 2022 retails at $99.99 for a perpetual license. Owners of any previous version (before version 2022) of any ON1 products can order version 2022.5 for the upgrade price of $79.99. On1 offers a free 14-day trial of the version 2022.1 that is available now. The 2022.5 trial is coming in June when this update is released.
Those who subscribe will receive the update automatically as part of their plans. As always, the ON1 Photo RAW subscription plans include the latest version of ON1 Photo Raw for both computers and mobile, as well as cloud syncing and each ON1 plugin. Plans start from $7.99 per month or $89.99 per year.
On 1 raw has become my main post processing software!
Mine too. I'm just waiting for the next update so my camera is supported.