Best photo-editing software for most Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 *Est. $80
Free photo editor and organizer Google Picasa 3 *Est. $0
Free photo-editing software GIMP 2.6 *Est. $0
Pro-level photo editor and image manager Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 *Est. $275
Professional graphics software Adobe Photoshop CS4 *Est. $665

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Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2

*Est. $275

Pro-level photo editor and image manager

Eases workflow for busy pros
One version works with both Mac and PC
Non-destructive editing
Handles more than 140 RAW formats

Some tasks are slow
You may still want Photoshop CS4

Where to Buy

for $129.99
Nu-Image Corporation
for $110.00
for $214.99

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Designed for image management and to speed the processing of RAW photo files, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 can integrate with Adobe Photoshop CS3 or CS4 (*est. $665), but also can stand alone as an image editor. It provides more extensive image editing and much better image management capabilities than Adobe Photoshop Elements (*est. $80), so reviewers find it hits the sweet spot for enthusiast photographers. Even professional photographers praise Lightroom for the way it speeds most tasks; several reviewers say they seldom reach for Photoshop after learning to edit in Lightroom. If you're a beginner, however, you'll probably still want to start with Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 -- or for Mac users, Elements 6.

We found the most detailed comparison tests of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 at ArsTechnica.com, where it's compared with three other editing programs for enthusiast and pro photographers. KenRockwell.com's briefer review also shows its editing capabilities with a nice interactive view. Another photography site, DigitalOutbackPhoto.com, highlights the major improvements compared with Lightroom 1; so does the review at PC World. For anyone considering Lightroom 2 as their main photo editor, the review at ImagingInfo.com is especially useful -- as are the more than 50 reviews from users posted at Amazon.com.

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Our Sources

1. Arstechnica.com

Aimed at advanced photographers, this detailed review of Adobe Lightroom 2 also compares it with competing software. In tests editing photos at different ISO levels, Lightroom 2 prevails -- and also proves fast and easy to use. However, the reviewer notes that Lightroom 2 is sometimes slow, and some of the editing can be done faster in Adobe Photoshop, at least by experienced users.

Review: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 Review, Dave Girard, Aug. 19, 2008

2. Ken Rockwell

Photography guru Ken Rockwell's detailed review of Lightroom 2 illustrates its editing capabilities, but for image management, Rockwell prefers iView Media Pro (now Microsoft Expression Media).

Review: Adobe Lightroom 2, Ken Rockwell, Sept. 2008

3. DigitalOutbackPhoto.com

This review, aimed at advanced photographers, highlights the main improvements in Lightroom 2 compared with the first version. It is especially helpful for anyone wondering whether or not to upgrade.

Review: Adobe Lightroom 2.0 Release, Uwe Steinmueller, Dec. 16, 2008

4. PC World Details/Subscribe

This review notes many improvements over Lightroom 1, making the need for Photoshop less likely. Organizing and finding images is also easier, says Kathleen Cullen.

Review: Adobe Systems Photoshop Lightroom 2, Kathleen Cullen, Aug. 1, 2008

5. ImagingInfo.com

This short review of Adobe Lightroom 2 highlights its main features, concluding that it can stand alone as an image editor, without Photoshop -- and is just as useful for people who edit JPEG photos as for those who shoot RAW files.

Review: Adobe Lightroom 2.0 Reviewed, Diane Berkenfeld, Dec. 29, 2008

This "first look" review praises Lightroom 2's refinements in image editing compared with the first version. Debbie Grossman also finds image management much improved.

Review: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2: First Look, Debbie Grossman, July 28, 2008

7. Amazon.com

More than 50 owners give Lightroom 2 mostly enthusiastic reviews here. The comments are worth reading, since they include tips on how to make the most of it.

Review: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 (Win/Mac), Contributors to Amazon.com