Canon Digital Photo Professional (Page 3)

The first time that Sean and I gave Canon's Digital Photo Pro version 4.0.0 a workout, we declared that it wasn't ready for prime time. DPP 4 is now at version 4.2.10.0 and, forced by the lack of Canon EOS Rebel T6s and T6i support in DPP 3.14.48.1 (and presumably the same issue coming for the Canon EOS 5Ds and 5Ds R), I am once again working with the latest version of Canon's image processing software. While I'm not ready to make recommendations on use of the latest version, I want to communicate a change that you might notice in forthcoming image quality results processed using DPP 4.

Any time a new RAW image processing engine is used, there is a possibility of the output being different. With each version of DPP we load, a comparison test is done to insure that our results are not impacted by the new engine. It has been a long time since the first digit of DPP's version number has been incremented and ... I was nervous. Primarily, I didn't want to leave the huge inventory of lens tests unavailable for comparison with the latest-tested gear.

Based on testing performed on the Canon EOS 5D Mark III (supported on both versions of DPP), I'm reporting is that DPP 4 indeed changes the output. However, I think that you are going to view the change as positive and non-harming to comparisons with older tests going forward. Important is that I don't see any change in sharpness based on the same standardized test settings (Neutral Picture Style, Sharpness = "1"). However, there is a clear reduction in the artifacts seen in the resolution lines in the test chart. The lead image in this post was processed in the latest version of DPP 4 and the following image was processed in the latest version of DPP 3.

To best compare these images, control-click on each to open them in new browser tabs and toggle between the tabs. Or, download and open the images in your favorite image viewer. Show the images at 200% and then toggle between them. Very little difference other than the artifacts clearing will be seen.

From a color standpoint, I am not seeing any changes between the two RAW image processing engines. From a noise standpoint, DPP version 4 has a very slight edge at higher ISO settings. The edge is tiny enough to be meaningless to most and unless toggling instantly between images at 100%, probably few would detect the difference.

Testing against all of these small changes is very time consuming, but ... worth it for accurate evaluations.

From the Canon Professional Network:

"The release of Canon’s Digital Photo Professional (DPP) 4 software in mid-2014 was accompanied by an updated version of its EOS Utility software – version 3. EOS Utility 3 acts in tandem with DPP 4 and enables you to download images from a camera’s memory card to your computer, remotely control the camera to capture new images or edit camera settings, such as the image owner’s name. You can then organise and process the imported images in Digital Photo Professional 4. EOS Utility 3 features improvements to form and function and the increased integration between Canon’s two free apps helps to streamline the shooting, importing and editing process. Indeed, you can now launch EOS Utility 3’s Live View window and remote camera shooting panel from within the Digital Photo Professional workspace, which allows the two packages to work together as a tighter team. CPN writer George Cairns takes a closer look at the capabilities of EOS Utility 3 and how it works alongside DPP 4..."

Compatible Cameras with EOS Utility 3.x:

• EOS-1D X
• EOS-1D C
• EOS 5D Mark III
• EOS 6D
• EOS 7D Mark II

Check out CPN's Inside EOS Utility 3 for more information.

From the Canon Professional Network:

Canon has released an updated version of its Digital Photo Professional (DPP) software, which now supports – in addition to its current range of full-frame DSLRs – the EOS-1D Mark IV, EOS 70D, EOS 7D Mark II, EOS 7D, EOS 5D Mark II, EOS 700D and EOS 100D.

Launched in September 2014, Digital Photo Professional 4 was Canon’s first sweeping change to its popular RAW processing software since its original launch. The latest version of DPP – version 4.1.50 – is a response to feedback from owners of older full-frame and APS-C cameras who are looking for the very latest RAW workflow solution.

Additionally, DPP 4.1.50 supports the recently launched EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM and EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM lenses, the profiles for which are now available for use with the Lens Correction function.

Commenting on the update, Mike Owen, European Professional Imaging Communications Manager, Professional Imaging Department, Canon Europe, said: “DPP 4.0 has proved incredibly popular with our customers and this latest update further extends its appeal to a wider range of users, such as those using the highly successful EOS 5D Mark II. Canon remains firmly committed to offering a complete range of products to photographers and increasingly its software solutions are playing a vital role in delivering the ultimate in image quality from capture to output.”

DPP 4.1.50: KEY FEATURES

• Faster, real-time adjustments.
• Improved RAW file workflow.
• Better, more approachable user interfaces.
• Compatible with 64-bit native environments.
• Colour adjustments for specific colour gamuts.
• Improved highlight recovery provides expanded tonality.
• Improved shadow recovery function.
• Support for movie playback.
• Auto Lighting Optimizer can be applied to JPEG images.
• Better integration with EOS Utility.

You can download DPP 4.1.50 now, free of charge, from Canon Europe’s support site here. Just click on your camera – EOS-1D X, EOS-1D C, EOS 5D Mark III, EOS 5D Mark II, EOS 6D, EOS-1D Mark IV, EOS 70D, EOS 7D Mark II, EOS 7D, EOS 700D and EOS 100D – and select DPP 4.1.50 from the software options to download.

From Canon:

Changes for Digital Photo Professional 3.14.45 / 4.1.1 and EOS Utility 2.14.10a / 3.1.0a Updater:

• Supports EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM, EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II USM.

Note: All of these have also been updated with 7D Mark II support.

Download the software updates here.

When we received the Digital Photo Professional 4 announcement, we were optimistic that Canon had significantly improved the software that has become a big part of our lives. Based on the sheer volume of significant changes, there's no doubt that this program deserves its new version number. It is not an incremental upgrade.

However, after processing thousands of photos with DPP 4.0.0, we feel like early beta testers. From our perspective, the software isn't finished. Here's a few reasons why:

• DPP 4 is very buggy and its perfomance is unbearably slow. We have experienced multiple program crashes. Image adjustments do not update quickly enough. While batch processing images, DPP 4 sometimes becomes unusable in its busy state.
• DPP 4 does not recognize DPP 3.x recipes. This means that, for backward compatibility, I must retain a DPP v3 install on my laptop forever if I want to retain my previously-made edits.
• DPP 4 only recognizes a very limited number of camera models and not all of my cameras are included. Who wants to process their images in different software versions depending on the camera being used? Limited support is acceptable to get new features into photographer's hands ASAP, as long as support for the rest of the camera models follows soon after.
• There are some DPP 4 changes that make going back and forth between software versions difficult. One obvious change is the mouse wheel direction being reversed. I think v4 treats the scroll wheel direction properly, but this direction is opposite of the v3 direction.
• DPP 4's crop tool is less precise than in previous versions when using the mouse for adjustment. Therefore, one must adjust the values in the text boxes instead of relying on a quick mouse click and rotation.
• CTRL-Z no longer toggles the last change made in DPP 4. The shortcut still functions as the UNDO command, but now you must use CTRL-Y to REDO the last change. This change would be understandable if Canon used CTRL-Z to implement multi-level UNDO and REDO. But they haven't. So now it's just an unnecessary addition to the keystroke combinations we have to use in our workflow.
• Moving files takes a VERY long time from within DPP 4. One 15-file move to a remote USB 3.0 drive operation took 10 minutes? The move process often ends in a program crash or non-responsive application.

And to be candid, that's really just the tip of the iceberg. The program also suffers from many user interface issues. For instance, if you type in a new brightness adjustment value into the textbox and press CTRL-S, the new value isn't saved in the file. Instead, you must click away from the textbox (make it lose focus) before the program will allow the change to be saved into the file.

Requested Features:

• Many photographers are using computers with large amounts of RAM. Please figure out a way to cache and preload recently used and expected-to-be-viewed-next images. We toggle through many images all the time. Why do we have to wait for those images to be rendered again after every glance?
• We need hot keys to move between images in the main window regardless of what control has focus (such as the brightness slider).
• Use the Windows standard for selecting files. Click, shift-click, control-click and shift-control click should work the same in all Windows applications. Same for the Mac standard.
• The Stamp tool was a great addition to DPP many versions back. Taking away hot key support (alt-click, control-z), the mouse wheel functionality (unless first clicking on the slider) and the spacebar-mouse-drag functionality in this tool makes it far less useful for me.

Complaining aside, DPP 4 is loaded with very positive enhancements. Here are just a few of them:

• Far more options for viewing images when checking and editing are now provided.
• You can now determine which settings are included with the copy and paste recipe (more power, but more complexity) with hot keys now supported.
• Darker grey background is better for brightness adjustment/determination.
• A secondary prompt is not required for delete and files can be deleted from directly Quick view.
• New folders can now be created from within DPP.
• Allows (optionally) single-click to show full resolution/100% (great feature!)
• +/- 3 stops of exposure adjustment (was +/- 2 stops) and other options offer finer control (increments of .1 vs. 1)
• Fine-tune sliders are a great addition for color adjustment

Overall Benefits of DPP

• DPP has always been a very easy-to-use tool that delivers very high quality RAW conversions.
• DPP is especially good at getting pleasing color.
• That DPP stores recipes directly in the RAW file means that there is no catalog to maintain and no sidecar files to keep track of and makes file management as easy as drag and drop.
• A Canon EOS camera has not hit the streets without being supported by DPP (in one form or another).
• That DPP is free is another great attribute.

We love the direction that Canon is heading with DPP 4, but right now it's just too buggy to be dependable for important work. Bryan and I have reverted back to DPP v3.x for most of our post-processing needs until the v4 bugs are eliminated.

What has been your experience with DPP 4.0? Feel free to let us know in the comments.

From Canon Professional Network:

"Canon has launched Digital Photo Professional (DPP) 4.0, the first sweeping overhaul of Canon’s RAW processing software since its launch. The latest version of DPP - available for download at the end of June - has been updated with a raft of key changes to satisfy the most demanding of digital photographers."

Preview Coverage

• DPP 4.0: ALL-NEW KEY FEATURES

• Faster, real-time adjustments.
• Improved RAW file workflow.
• Better, more approachable user interfaces.
• Compatible with 64-bit native environments.
• Colour adjustments for specific colour gamuts.
• Improved highlight recovery provides expanded tonality.
• Improved shadow recovery function.
• Support for movie playback.
• Auto Lighting Optimizer can be applied to JPEG images.
• Better integration with EOS Utility.

• NEW COLOUR ADJUSTMENT PALETTE
• ENHANCED HIGHLIGHT FUNCTION
• DUAL DISPLAY SUPPORT
• BETTER EOS UTILITY INTEGRATION
• CAMERA COMPATIBILITY AND OS SUPPORT

See the full article on the Canon Professional Network site.

Canon Australia has posted the newest versions of DPP and EOS Utility. You need to enter a serial number for a "compatible body" to download the file.

Compatible Bodies

• EOS 1D C
• EOS 1D X
• EOS 5D Mark III
• EOS 6D

I had expected that all EOS DSLR users would be able to use the program, but also assumed there were some features that would only be available to "compatible body" users. Unfortunately, it looks like I was mistaken. DPP 4 will not open RAW files from incompatible bodies. So if you do not own one of Canon's current full-frame bodies, you're stuck using version 3.x instead.

From the viewpoint of someone who uses a 5D Mark III as a primary body and a 7D as a backup, I find this to be very inconvenient. It means that I have to keep two versions of DPP installed on my computer if I want to use the latest features while still being able to edit my backup body RAW files.

I hope Canon reconsiders this new software strategy. [Sean]

Download DPP 4.0 & EOS Utility 3.0*

* Please note: DPP 4.0 will be compatible only with 64-bit OS, such as Windows 7, 8 and 8.1, plus Mac OS X 10.8 and 10.9.

From Canon:

DPP 4.0
Canon developed the upgraded DPP 4.0 software for the editing of RAW images in response to the needs of professional and advanced-amateur users. The software delivers improved workflow efficiency for photographers who edit large numbers of images at an advanced level, helping them to achieve the key concepts of the EOS series of interchangeable-lens cameras: speed, ease of use and high image quality.

The new software improves on the previous version in such areas as an expanded adjustment range for highlights and shadows as well as enhanced basic functions. Providing users with more freedom when adjusting images, DPP 4.0 includes such new functions as 8-axis color gamut adjustment and an Auto function that automatically analyses the brightness and darkness balance of a histogram and adjusts the tones, or luminance, of an image accordingly.

The new version of Canon’s DPP software delivers greatly enhanced operability and convenience during the image editing process. In addition to featuring an updated graphical user interface (GUI), the software is capable of displaying as many as 10,000 image thumbnails at one time. Further contributing to ease of use, the software lets users not only view selected images for comparison even in the preview window, but also assign ratings to images.

EOS Utility 3.0
Canon’s new upgraded EU 3.0 allows users to connect a camera to a computer via a USB connection or Wireless File Transmitter in order to remotely perform camera settings, transfer images and capture images. Delivering even greater workflow efficiency, EU 3.0 easily integrates with DPP 4.0 to allow users to select and compare images, enabling them to more easily choose the best shot, as well as make slight adjustments to camera settings and reshoot scenes.

Pricing and availability

Canon has updated Digital Photo Professional, EOS Utility and Picture Style Editor to provide support for new cameras as well as fix a couple of minor bugs. See below for more information. [thanks Marco]

From Canon USA:

Canon Digital Photo Professional 3.14.15

Changes for Digital Photo Professional 3.14.15 Updater for Windows:

• Supports images taken with EOS Kiss X70 / EOS Rebel T5 / EOS 1200D / EOS Hi, EOS M2, PowerShot G1 X Mark II.
• Supports Windows 8.1.
• Fixes the phenomenon where the shutter speed value and the aperture value indicated for an image displayed in the [Large thumbnail] mode may differ from the actual values if the image has been converted to the JPG or TIFF format from the RAW file (CRW file) format of the EOS D30, EOS D60, EOS KISS DIGITAL / EOS DIGITAL REBEL / EOS 300D DIGITAL or EOS 10D.

EOS Utility 2.14.0

Changes for EOS Utility 2.14.0 Updater for Windows:

• Supports EOS Kiss X70 / EOS Rebel T5 / EOS 1200D / EOS Hi, EOS M2.
• Supports the CN-E35mm T1.5 L F.
• Supports Windows 8.1.

Picture Style Editor 1.14.10

Changes for Picture Style Editor 1.14.10 Updater for Windows:

• Supports EOS Kiss X70 / EOS Rebel T5 / EOS 1200D / EOS Hi, EOS M2.
• Supports Windows 8.1.

Canon USA has the software updates available for download.

B&H carries the newly supported Canon EOS T5 DSLR camera.

Canon has released updates for Digital Photo Professional, EOS Utility and Picture Style Editor.

From Canon:

Canon Digital Photo Professional 3.13.51

Changes for Digital Photo Professional 3.13.51 Updater for Windows :

• Addition of Digital Lens Optimizer applicable lenses.

EOS Utility 2.13.40

Changes for EOS Utility 2.13.40 Updater for Windows :

• A function has been added to allow the loading of just protected images into the PC.

Picture Style Editor 1.13.30

Changes for Picture Style Editor 1.13.30 Updater for Windows :

• Supports EOS 70D, EOS Kiss X7 / EOS Rebel SL1 / EOS 100D, EOS Kiss X7i / EOS Rebel T5i / EOS 700D, EOS-1D C.

Download the software updates at Canon USA.

Canon USA just released the following software updates (thanks Marco):

• EOS Digital Solutions Disk Software 28.2A
• Digital Photo Professional 3.13.45
• EOS Utility 2.13.24
• ImageBrowser EX 1.1.0a
• PhotoStitch 3.1.23
• Picture Style Editor 1.12.2
• ZoomBrowser EX 6.9.0a

EOS Digital Solutions Disk Software 28.2A

Changes from EOS Digital Solution Disk Software 28.1A for Windows are as follows:

• Includes most recent software updates

Digital Photo Professional 3.13.45

Changes from Digital Photo Professional 3.13.0 Updater for Windows:

• Supports images taken with EOS 70D, EOS Kiss X7 / EOS Rebel SL1 / EOS 100D, PowerShot G16, PowerShot S120.
• Supports new lens (EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM, EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4X, EF-M 11-22mm f4-5.6 IS STM).
• The accuracy of the white balance in M-RAW and S-RAW images has been improved.

EOS Utility 2.13.24

Changes from EOS Utility 2.13.21 Updater for Windows:

• Support for EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM with lens optical correction.

ImageBrowser EX 1.1.0a

Changes in the ImageBrowser EX 1.1.0a for Windows:

• Supports Windows 8.1.

PhotoStitch 3.1.23

Changes to PhotoStitch 3.1.23 Updater for Windows

• Supports Windows 8.1.

Picture Style Editor 1.12.2

Changes for Picture Style Editor 1.12.2 Updater for Windows:

• Supports EOS 6D, EOS M.
• Applied Noise Reduction processing to when displaying images.
• Added support for the new Picture Style file (.pf3).
• Changed the user interface of the Tool Palette.
• Added the Tone curve (RGB) function.
• Added the Six Color-Axes adjustment function.

ZoomBrowser EX 6.9.0aChanges in ZoomBrowser EX 6.9.0a:

• Fixed a phenomenon where the camera's serial number that is displayed in the shooting information of the image is not displayed correctly for some of the EOS 60D.

Download the Canon Software updates here.

Digital Photo Professional 3.13.45 and EOS Utility 2.13.25 are now available for download. (thanks Marco)

From Canon USA:

Changes from Digital Photo Professional 3.13.0 Updater for Windows:

• Supports images taken with EOS 70D, EOS Kiss X7 / EOS Rebel SL1 / EOS 100D, PowerShot G16, PowerShot S120.
• Supports new lens (EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM, EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4X, EF-M 11-22mm f4-5.6 IS STM).
• The accuracy of the white balance in M-RAW and S-RAW images has been improved.

Changes from EOS Utility 2.13.21 Updater for Windows :

• pport for EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM with lens optical correction.

Download

Digital Photo Professional 3.13.45: Windows | Macintosh
EOS Utility 2.13.25: Windows | Macintosh

From Canon Professional Network:

Canon’s Digital Photo Professional (DPP) is a free, and surprisingly powerful, image organising and editing application that ships in the box with every EOS camera. You’ll find DPP on the EOS Digital Solution Disk alongside other very useful Canon developed software, such as EOS Utility. CPN writer George Cairns takes a closer look at the capabilities of the DPP software up to version 3.13.0.

See the entire article at the Canon Professional Network site.

Canon USA has the complete EOS Digital Solution Disk Software Disk available for download.

Note: You need to enter the serial number for your camera in order to download the software. Be sure to enter any leading zeros – else your serial number will not be recognized.

From Canon:

"EOS Digital Solution Disk Software" is a software suite containing the applications "Digital Photo Professional", "EOS Utility" and "Picture Style Editor", dedicated for users who cannot use the bundled CD to install the suite to the PC.

Digital Photo Professional: This software is recommended for users who mainly shoot RAW images. You can quickly view, edit, process and print RAW images. You can also edit JPEG images while retaining the original images.

EOS Utility: With the camera connected to a computer, EOS Utility enables you to transfer still photos and movies shot with the camera to the computer. You can also use this software to set various camera settings and shoot remotely with the computer connected to the camera.

Picture Style Editor: You can edit Picture Styles and create and save original Picture Style files.

This package contains the following version applications:

• Digital Photo Professional 3.13.10
• EOS Utility 2.13.10
• Picture Style Editor 1.13.10

Download:

EOS Digital Solution Disk Software Disk v28.1A

Canon Digital Photo Professional 3.13.0 and EOS Utility 2.13.0 are now available for download. (thanks Marco)

Changes for Digital Photo Professional 3.13.0

• Supports images taken with EOS Kiss X7i / EOS REBEL T5i / EOS 700D, EOS-1D C.
• Supports new lens (EF 35mm F2 IS USM, EF-S 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM).
• Supports Windows 8.

Changes for EOS Utility 2.13.0

• Supports EOS Kiss X7i / EOS REBEL T5i / EOS 700D, EOS-1D C.
• Supports Windows 8.

Canon Digital Photo Professional version 3.12.52, EOS Utility version 2.12.3 and Picture Style Editor version 1.12.2 updaters are now available for download.

Changes for Digital Photo Professional 3.12.52 Updater for Windows:

• Supports images taken with EOS 6D.
• Supports new lens (EF24-70mm F4L IS USM).
• Supports read-in of Picture Style files (.pf3) created in Picture Style Editor 1.12.2 and later.
• Corrects shooting date error in other manufacturer`s image files when sent to Easy-PhotoPrintEX from Digital Photo Professional via plug-in print.

Changes for EOS Utility 2.12.3 Updater for Windows:

• Supports EOS 6D.
• Supports read-in of Picture Style files (.pf3) created in Picture Style Editor 1.12.2 and later.

Changes for Picture Style Editor 1.12.2 Updater for Windows:

• Supports EOS 6D, EOS M.
• Applied Noise Reduction processing to when displaying images.
• Added support for the new Picture Style file (.pf3).
• Changed the user interface of the Tool Palette.
• Added the Tone curve (RGB) function.
• Added the Six Color-Axes adjustment function.

Digital Photo Professional 3.12.40 and EOS Utility 2.12.0 Updater are now available for download.

Changes for Digital Photo Professional 3.12.40 Updater for Windows:

• Supports images taken with EOS M, PowerShot G15, PowerShot S110, PowerShot SX50 HS.
• Supports new lens (EF40mm F2.8 STM, EF-M18-55mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM, EF-M22mm F2 STM).

Changes for EOS Utility 2.12.0 Updater for Windows:

• Supports EOS M.

In addition to the distortion, flare and vignetting results already found on the Canon PowerShot G1 X Digital Camera Review page, resolution results using the ISO 12233 chart are now available. These results need some explanation.

As I have said before, I do not feel that Canon's current version of Digital Photo Pro, version 3.11.31.0, is properly converting the G1 X RAW images when the "Viewing and saving RAW images" preference is set to "High quality". The problem appears identical to the problem we saw with the Canon EOS 5D Mark III when it first hit the streets. Canon fixed the 5D III issue quickly, but ... either disagrees with me that a problem exists - or has chosen to not make the G1 X fix a priority.

The G1 X ISO 12233 results show two samples being tested. In this case, both samples are from the same lens (and camera of course). Sample 1 images were processed at the "High speed" setting while sample 2 images were processed at the "High quality" setting (what I normally use). I feel that the sample 1 results best represent the sharpness of this camera, but have not processed any of my G1 X RAW images with hopes that Canon would give me the sharper results along the better-cleaned-up image quality that I expect "High quality" to deliver - in a DPP update.

Digital Photo Professional 3.11.31 Updater is now available for download. (thanks Scott)

Changes for Digital Photo Professional 3.11.31 Updater for Windows:

• Supports images taken with EOS Kiss X6i / EOS REBEL T4i / EOS 650D, EOS 60Da.
• Supports new lens (EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM).
• Fixed a phenomenon where the camera's serial number that is displayed in the shooting information of the image is not displayed correctly for some of the EOS 60D.
• Fixed a phenomenon where the buttons for HDR tool cannot be displayed under specific settings of the display.
• Fixed a phenomenon where check mark or rating that is set using Quick Check Tool may not be displayed correctly.

A friend has reported that his just-received Canon EOS 5D Mark III shipped with Canon Digital Photo Professional 3.11.27.0 in the box. Canon Digital Photo Professional 3.11.26.0 is the latest version I can find on Canon USA's website.

Hopefully this release fixes the Canon PowerShot G1 X RAW conversion problem (producing soft images) - and hopefully it becomes available for download very soon.