ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2022: Photo editing test
ACDSee is an old hand among developers of photo software – it all started with the image viewer of the same name in the 90s. It has now blossomed into a full-fledged image editor. The test by COMPUTER BILD says what it can do.
Image processing in the test
test winner
Adobe
Details about the test
Per
A lot of functions
Very extensive autocorrect
against
A lot of training is required
Only available as a subscription
Capture One
Details about the test
Per
Lots of image editing options
Very fine image corrections possible
against
Additional software required for compositions from several images
Corel
Details about the test
Per
Large range of functions
Easy handling
against
Few functions to edit RAW photos
ACDSee
Photo Studio Ultimate 2021
Details about the test
Per
Large range of functions
Easy overview of the photos
against
Few functions to edit RAW photos
Adobe
Details about the test
Per
A lot of assistants
Many fully automatic functions
cyber link
Details about the test
Per
Large range of functions
Easy handling
against
All functions only in subscription (365)
DxO
Details about the test
Per
Very fine image corrections possible
Very good denoising of RAW files
against
Just basic image file management
No working with layers
Affinity
Details about the test
Per
Very large range of functions
Easily create panoramas and HDR images
against
No image management
Assistants somewhat hidden
test grade
2.6
satisfactory
Skylum
Details about the test
Per
Very many and versatile automatic functions
Easy handling
against
HDR and panoramas only with external software
No working with layers
Value for money
test grade
3.0
satisfactory
Ashampoo
Details about the test
against
Limited functionality
No video tutorials
Complete list: photo editing in the test
Three variants to choose from
ACDSee Photo Studio is available in three versions: The Ultimateversion, as the name suggests, is the most powerful version, but there are also cheaper versions professional and Home: cheaper, but slimmed down in terms of functionality. The manufacturer clearly lists the differences between the three versions in a function comparison. In addition to the paid versions, ACDSee also offers a subscription. This brings with it smaller additional programs and up to 50 gigabytes of cloud storage and is worthwhile for users who always want to work with the current version of ACDSee. If you want to try Photo Studio Ultimate before you buy, no problem. A working demo version, which can be used for 30 days after registration, can be downloaded free of charge from COMPUTER BILD – see the following link.
ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2022 demo version
Manage images by catalog
Like many professional photo editing programs, ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate offers the possibility to organize photos in a library, here called a catalog. Advantage: The recordings can be searched and filtered more easily. This is how ACDSee Photo Studio evaluates when importing into the catalog automatically the metadata of the photo files and can then, for example, filter the catalog by camera model or lens used. The Media view (pictured below) also uses the catalog for filtering, but it doesn’t need a toolbar on the side – leaving more space for the recordings.
The “Media” view shows no toolbars or selection menus, just an overview of the files that ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2022 has in the library.
HDR directly from the image overview
HDR images from multiple photos can be assembled in two ways in ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2022. If you already have a finished photo series, simply mark it in the view Administer (see image above) and then simply select HDR under Process. This works via the menu bar, via the context menu (by right-clicking with the mouse on one of the images) or by using the key combination (Ctrl+Alt+H). If you want to fine-tune individual images in the series beforehand, you can do them in the views first Develop and To edit get the look you want. One disadvantage of Photo Studio’s HDR function: it is very sensitive to differences in the image detail, for example when the photos were taken hand-held and not from a tripod. Unattractive double contours then quickly arise. Adobe Photoshop CC corrects this much better.
The ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2022 display of the same name shows individual photos in a large view. The photos can be selected in a bar below.
Lots of features to edit RAW files
The view Develop is the specialist for RAW files. ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2022 offers a particularly large number of functions here and gives photographers the choice between very fine corrections using the toolbar (left) or a quick new look using the function Development preferences (see picture below). Important: There are regular updates for the RAW files of newer cameras – so ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2022 can also cope with the new RAW file format of the Nikon Z9.
When developing RAW files, ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2022 offers many options, under “Process presets” also a whole range of ready-made looks.
Lots of image editing tools
The fifth and last view of ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2022 offers the most image editing tools: To edit. The selection tools are in a toolbar below the menu bar, and most of the editing tools are in a toolbar on the left. On the right there is another toolbar that is very similar to Photoshop CC and also offers a similar number of functions. However, ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2022 relies heavily on the user knowing exactly how to use the many tools. Automatic functions that carry out certain image corrections fully automatically are scarce. Those who prefer such functions are often better off with programs such as Skylum Luminar AI, but then usually have to be satisfied with a smaller range of functions.
The “Edit” view of ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2022 brings the typical image editing tools, including the popular tilt-shift effect.
Classic service preferred
Anyone who has not worked much with image processing software should Schedule training time. On the one hand, this is due to the large range of functions, many menus and selection lists are very long. On the other hand, one or the other peculiarity of ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2022: For example, the View, Develop and Edit modes can only be activated when a photo is selected. If, on the other hand, a folder is selected, an error message appears – this can be irritating at first, but is hardly annoying in the long run.
The best system cameras
Nikon
Details about the test
Per
Very high image quality for photos and videos
Very fast and very accurate autofocus
Canon
Details about the test
Per
Very high image quality for photos and videos
Very high speed
Sony
Details about the test
Per
Extremely high continuous shooting speed
Very fast and very accurate autofocus
Nikon
Details about the test
Per
Top picture quality even with very little light
Very high video quality
Sony
Details about the test
Per
Top image quality for photos and video
Top image quality even in very low light
against
Some incomprehensible abbreviations in the menus
Nikon
Details about the test
Per
Very sharp and extremely detailed photos
Very high video quality
against
Slight loss of sharpness at very high ISO settings
Canon
Details about the test
Per
Very high image quality for photos and videos
Very fast and versatile autofocus
Nikon
Details about the test
Per
Top picture quality even with very little light
Very high video quality
against
Moderate stamina in series
Canon
Details about the test
Per
High image quality for photos and videos
Fast and versatile autofocus
against
Warms up with longer videos
Fujifilm
Details about the test
Per
Extremely high photo quality
Very high video quality
against
Slight loss of sharpness at very high ISO settings
Moderate focus tracking
Complete list: The best system cameras
Test conclusion: ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2022
Typical professional software: ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2022 (Test score 2.0) is a powerful photo editor with many functions. In order to use all of them, however, it takes a bit of training, for example to leaf through the 900-page manual. If you don’t mind that, you get a lot of performance for little money.
