Capture One Pro vs Darktable

Capture pilot is a feature that allows any web-enabled device to remotely connect to Capture One and use a subset of its functionality like view a selected catalogue, rate images and even make minor edits to photos. An iOS app for Capture Pilot is available as well that in addition to default functionality also allows controlling a tethered camera though that functionality has to be purchased separately.

Once you hook up your camera to Capture One, the program offers a bunch of useful tools and workflows based on your needs.

For example, it has Composition Mode that allows setting up the shot without taking up hard-drive space by replacing the last image taken with the a one as soon as you take it. It has Hot Folder functionality that will keep an eye on changes in a set folder and as soon as any new images appear in that folder they will be added to Capture One; great for cameras that are not supported by Capture One natively and unlike other Hot Folder functionality in other programs C1 captures everything coming in quickly and imports all images as active. Many cameras can be controlled via the program and if the camera has live view, similar functionality can be enabled in Capture One. Plus, live view allows superimposing an overlay; great for cover shooting. There's also a overlay mask that shows wether a shot is in focus or not. And many other functions and design decision that help with ease of use.

A huge amount of color editing options, with the ability to modify overall, to extremely targeted ranges. Especially robust support for editing skin tones.

Straight imports seem a bit sharper and more dynamic than many other RAW editors.

There are a lot of different modules.

A very well considered UI makes edits fast and fluid. You can redo or undo any step without disturbing any other part of your edit. The UI doesn't get in the way.

Darktable allows applying the same set of operations to multiple images and saving your history stack as a style (you can pick exactly which modules).

Original files are untouched by any edits. No worries on what was done before or if an accidental save occurs. All work is separate from the originals.

Darktable allows favoriting modules and remapping hotkeys.

Most modules, by default, affect the whole image, but have the option to only be applied to masked-off areas (be those drawn masks, parametric ones, or a combination of the two).

On the camera set it to use USB Remote. Open Darktable, on the left side under Import, click scan for devices. The camera should appear. Click on tethered shoot. Next on the right side look for the gear icon above the battery n/a and click it. go to the session options tab, and change the base directory to the location you want to save photos. close that settings window and try taking a picture. It should come right up.