Is Topaz Photo AI Still Good in 2024?

Austin James Jackson
13 Jan 202409:42

TLDRIn 2024, Topaz Photo AI continues to be a valuable tool for photographers, offering advanced features like noise reduction, image upscaling, and sharpening. Despite competition from Lightroom's new denoising option, Topaz stands out for those seeking the best results, with additional capabilities like fixing blurry images. The debate between Topaz and Lightroom hinges on the user's needs and budget, with Topaz Photo AI providing a comprehensive one-stop solution for image correction. The video also touches on Topaz's individual apps, which may offer different results and the ability to compare models. With upcoming improvements and new features in beta, Topaz Photo AI remains a strong contender in the market.

Takeaways

  • 😀 Topaz Photo AI was considered an essential tool for photographers in 2023 due to its ability to fix imperfections and upsize photos.
  • 🔍 In 2024, there are many competitors in the market, including Lightroom's denoising option, which has significantly impacted Topaz's sales.
  • 👨‍💻 Austin James Jackson, the speaker, is a landscape photographer who has extensively used Topaz Photo AI and its competitors.
  • 🚀 Lightroom's denoising tool, released in April 2023, is good but not as effective as Topaz for those seeking the best results.
  • 💰 Topaz offers additional features like upscaling and sharpening images, which can fix blurry images, a feature Lightroom lacks.
  • 🤔 The value of Topaz Photo AI over Lightroom depends on whether the user prioritizes the best results or a good enough tool.
  • 📈 Topaz Photo AI was matched in denoising by DxO DeepPrime, but Topaz provides a more user-friendly interface with real-time feedback.
  • 🛠️ Topaz's individual apps like Gigapixel, Dnoise AI, and Sharpen AI offer specific functionalities that might be more suitable for certain users.
  • 📈 Photo AI is a one-stop solution for image correction, including sharpness, denoising, and resizing, which is convenient for simplicity.
  • 🔄 Topaz has been investing in Photo AI, with new features in beta that may improve its capabilities, such as adjust lighting and balance color.
  • 💡 The choice between Photo AI and individual apps depends on the photographer's needs, budget, and whether they value convenience or specialized tools.

Q & A

  • What was Austin James Jackson's initial opinion on Topaz Photo AI in 2023?

    -In 2023, Austin James Jackson considered Topaz Photo AI an absolute essential for all photographers due to its ability to fix imperfections in images and upsize photos effectively.

  • What is the purpose of the video by Austin James Jackson in 2024?

    -The purpose of the video is to address whether Topaz Photo AI is still worth purchasing in 2024, considering the competition and other available options in the market.

  • What is the relationship between Austin James Jackson and Topaz Labs?

    -Austin James Jackson is not being paid by Topaz Labs to make the video, and they are unaware of its production. He has not been in contact with anyone from the company for months.

  • How does Austin James Jackson view the impact of Lightroom's D noising option on Topaz Photo AI sales?

    -Austin believes that the introduction of Lightroom's D noising option in April 2023 has likely led to a significant decrease in Topaz Photo AI sales due to its effectiveness.

  • What is the difference between Topaz Photo AI and Lightroom's D noising tool according to Austin?

    -While Lightroom's D noising tool works well, it is not as effective as Topaz Photo AI. Topaz offers better results for those who want the absolute best quality.

  • What additional features does Topaz Photo AI offer that Lightroom does not?

    -Topaz Photo AI offers upscaling and sharpening images that can fix blurry images, which is a feature that Lightroom does not have at the time of the video.

  • How does Topaz Photo AI compare to other denoising software in the market?

    -Topaz Photo AI's denoising abilities were only matched by DxO DeepPrime software, which had very comparable results. However, Austin prefers Topaz for its visual feedback while adjusting sliders.

  • What are the advantages of using Topaz's individual apps over Topaz Photo AI?

    -Topaz's individual apps, such as Sharpen AI and D Noise AI, offer the ability to compare multiple models at once, which Topaz Photo AI does not provide at the time of the video.

  • What new features were in beta mode for Topaz Photo AI as of January 2024?

    -As of January 2024, Topaz Photo AI had three features in beta mode: Adjust Lighting, Balance Color, and a Remove tool for object removal.

  • What is Austin's opinion on the pricing strategy of Topaz Photo AI and its individual apps?

    -Austin notes that Topaz Photo AI is priced at $200, while individual apps Sharpen and D Noise are $80, and Resize is $100. He mentions that previously, all three could be bought in a bundle for $200, but this option is no longer available.

  • What advice does Austin give to photographers considering the purchase of Topaz Photo AI or its individual apps?

    -Austin advises photographers to consider their intended use and whether they value simplicity or specific features like D noise or sharpening. He suggests that most photographers would find use in D noise, while Sharpen AI is a nice addition for occasional misfocus or sharpening needs.

Outlines

00:00

🤖 Topaz Photo AI's Relevance in 2024

In this paragraph, Austin James Jackson, a landscape photographer, revisits Topaz Photo AI's value in 2024. He initially praised the software for fixing imperfections and upscaling photos in 2023. With the emergence of new tools, such as Lightroom's denoising feature in April 2023, he addresses whether Topaz Photo AI remains a worthy investment. He compares it with Lightroom's capabilities and other competitors, highlighting Topaz's additional features like upscaling and sharpening images. The paragraph also clarifies that Topaz Labs isn't sponsoring the video, and any purchase through the provided link supports the channel. The summary emphasizes the debate between Lightroom and Topaz, the latter offering superior denoising and additional features for a higher price.

05:01

🔍 Comparing Topaz Photo AI with Individual Topaz Apps

This paragraph delves into the comparison between Topaz Photo AI and Topaz's individual apps, such as Gigapixel, D noise, and Sharpen AI. The narrator discusses the different AI models used by these apps, which can yield varying results. He mentions that while Topaz Photo AI is convenient for a one-stop image correction solution, the individual apps offer the ability to compare models side by side, which is beneficial for professionals seeking the best results. The paragraph also touches on the pricing of these apps, noting that Photo AI costs $200, while the individual apps are priced at $80 and $100. Additionally, the narrator discusses new features in beta for Topaz Photo AI, such as 'Adjust Lighting', 'Balance Color', and 'Remove Tool', providing his impressions on their effectiveness. The summary concludes with advice on choosing between Photo AI and the individual apps based on the photographer's needs and budget.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Topaz Photo AI

Topaz Photo AI is a software application designed to enhance the quality of photographs by fixing imperfections and upscaling images. In the video, it's discussed as an essential tool for photographers in 2023, but the speaker questions its continued relevance and value in 2024 amidst competition and advancements in other software like Lightroom's denoising option.

💡Austin James Jackson

Austin James Jackson is a landscape photographer based in Southern Utah who is the narrator of the video. He provides his perspective and experience with Topaz Photo AI and other competing products, offering insights into their utility and value for photographers in 2024.

💡Denoising

Denoising refers to the process of reducing or eliminating noise (unwanted artifacts or grain) in digital photographs. The script discusses how Topaz Photo AI and other software like Lightroom's denoising tool can significantly improve image quality by effectively removing noise.

💡Upscaling

Upscaling is the process of increasing the resolution of an image while maintaining or improving its quality. The video mentions Topaz Photo AI's ability to upsize photos as one of its powerful features, which can be particularly useful for photographers needing larger image sizes for printing or display.

💡Lightroom

Lightroom is a popular photo editing software by Adobe. The script mentions a new denoising option released in Lightroom in April 2023, which has become a significant competitor to Topaz Photo AI. The comparison between Lightroom's denoising and Topaz's capabilities is a central theme in the video.

💡Gigapixel

Gigapixel is a term used to describe a very high resolution, typically in the range of a billion pixels. In the context of the video, it refers to an individual app by Topaz Labs that specializes in upscaling images, which is compared with the all-in-one solution provided by Topaz Photo AI.

💡Sharpen AI

Sharpen AI is another application by Topaz Labs that focuses on enhancing the sharpness of images. The video discusses how it can fix blurry images and compares its performance with that of Topaz Photo AI, emphasizing the differences in AI models and results.

💡D noise AI

D noise AI is a software application designed to reduce noise in photographs. The script compares its performance with that of Topaz Photo AI and Lightroom's denoising tool, noting that it may offer slightly different results and has the ability to compare multiple models at once.

💡Adjust Lighting

Adjust Lighting is a feature in beta for Topaz Photo AI that aims to improve the lighting conditions within an image. The video describes it as a tool that analyzes and adjusts brightness and contrast to create more vivid images, although the speaker was not particularly impressed with its effectiveness.

💡Balance Color

Balance Color is another beta feature of Topaz Photo AI that neutralizes color casts to create images with more natural colors. The video suggests that while it may not be a significant feature for experienced photographers, it can be particularly useful for newer photographers who struggle with white balance.

💡Remove Tool

The Remove Tool is a feature in beta for Topaz Photo AI that allows for the removal of unwanted objects or elements from images. The video mentions that while it works well, it is slower compared to other tools like Photoshop's clone stamp or Lightroom's healing brush.

Highlights

Topaz Photo AI was considered an essential tool for photographers in 2023.

Topaz Photo AI can fix image imperfections and upsize photos.

Austin James Jackson, a landscape photographer, discusses Topaz Photo AI's value in 2024.

Topaz Labs is not sponsoring this video.

Lightroom released a superior denoising option in April 2023.

Lightroom's denoising tool is excellent but not as good as Topaz.

Topaz offers upscaling and sharpening features not available in Lightroom.

Topaz Photo AI vs. individual apps: Photo AI is best for one-stop image correction.

Gigapixel produces similar results to Photo AI, but Sharpen AI and D noise AI offer different outcomes.

Topaz's individual apps allow for model comparison, unlike Photo AI.

Topaz Labs is focusing on improving Photo AI rather than individual apps.

Photo AI costs $200, while individual apps Sharpen and D noise are $80 each, and Resize is $100.

Photo AI has three features in beta mode expected to be major upgrades.

Adjust Lighting feature in Photo AI is comparable to Lightroom's autoedit.

Balance Color feature helps neutralize color casts effectively.

Remove tool in beta works well but is slower than alternatives.

Topaz is expected to continue improving Photo AI with future updates.