When comparing PhotoFiltre Studio X vs LightZone, the Slant community recommends LightZone for most people. In the question“What is the best photo editing software?” LightZone is ranked 21st while PhotoFiltre Studio X is ranked 24th. The most important reason people chose LightZone is:
Unlike most other RAW editors, LightZone supports user-created RAW profiles and allows editing existing RAW profiles.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Easy to use
The layout is intuitive allowing you to find and use tools without having to spend a lot of time learning the ins and outs of the program.
Pro Portable version available
A portable version can be held on an external drive such as a usb stick and run from it so you can use it on any Windows machine without needing to install it.
Pro Reasonable selection of brushes
PhotoFiltre has round, square and oblique line brushes of different sizes and allows custom shapes to be used as brushes. Gradient colors as well as effects such as 3D, pastels, charcoal can be used with brushes.
Pro Allows quick access to predefined folders
A toolbar at the top of the interface allows quick access to predefined folders that allow quick access to selections, masks, patterns.
Pro Add-ons
Pro Plugins
Pro Lightweight
Portable version available
Pro Allows users to create and edit RAW profiles
Unlike most other RAW editors, LightZone supports user-created RAW profiles and allows editing existing RAW profiles.
Pro Allows changing the order in which adjustments are applied
You can change in what order sharpening, saturation, tone, etc adjustments are applied simply by switching around their order in the tool stack.
Cons
Con Basic
The program is limited to basic functionality such as filters, masks and brushes. Advanced capabilities like in-depth color grading, asset management, tethered shooting are not available.
Con Windows only
OSX and Linux versions are not planned.
Con Documentation is only available in French
English documentation is not available.
Con Interface can be overwhelming
The amount of icons on display at any given time can take some getting acquainted with.
Con Asset management is basic
Browser module includes a file browser, metadata viewer and a really basic metadata editor (allows editing just 6 fields), and allows you to give images a rating, but no advanced asset management is supported. There's not even a way to assign keywords to files.
