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Photo-Editing Software: Ratings of Sources
Total of 16 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. PCMag.com
As of March 2010
Product Guides: Photo, Video and Graphics
by Editors of PCMag.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis portal page includes a short list of top-rated photo-editing software, plus a chart listing software titles along with editors' and readers' ratings on a 5-point scale, with links to full reviews. The reviews are fairly long and detailed, certainly enough to give typical users a good handle on where a program does well, and where it can stand some improvement. Top programs are honored with Editors' Choice recognition. Among those are Adobe Photoshop Elements, which is hailed as top photo-editing choice for nonprofessional users, and Google Picassa, which earns kudos for its photo organization as well as its basic photo-editing features.
2. Which? magazine
As of March 2010
Photo-Editing Software
by Editors of Which? magazine
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentWhich? magazine is a British consumer-advocacy and product-testing publication and web site, similar to ConsumerReports.org in the U.S. The editors test and rate 17 popular photo-editing software programs including multiple versions and previous versions of some products.
3. PopPhoto.com
July 8, 2009
American Photo Editor's Choice 2009: Imaging Software
by Editors of PopPhoto.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentAdobe Photoshop wins the 2009 Editor's Choice award from American Photo (which shares this site with Popular Photography magazine). Editors applaud the program's revised interface and say that it makes the "world's most powerful digital imaging program" faster and easier to use. The article also highlights four other imaging programs, but three are specialized programs that are either plug-ins to Photoshop or Apple's Aperture image-editing software. Apple's iPhoto, which is part of Apple's iLife suite, is also honored.
4. PC World
As of March 2010
Multimedia Software Reviews
by Editors of PC World
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentPC World offers modestly detailed reviews of photo-editing software as part of its Multimedia reviews section. Testing is done and ratings are provided. Readers also have the opportunity to chime in with their own ratings and reviews as well. Unified Color Technologies' HDR Photostudio -- a photo editor designed for working with high dynamic range (HDR) images -- receives a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5. Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 scores similarly, though a small handful of user reviewers are not as impressed.
5. Macworld
As of March 2010
Photography Software Reviews
by Editors of Macworld
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentMacworld looks at photo-editing software from the Mac user's point of view. Coverage is spotty at times. Some reports on major programs are of older versions that have long since been replaced or significantly updated. On the other hand, Macworld looks at many lesser known image-editing utilities that don't get tons of coverage elsewhere. Reviews are relatively detailed, illustrated and include ratings along with lists of pros and cons.
6. Arstechnica.com
As of March 2010
Photo-Editing Software Reviews
by Editors of ArsTechnica.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentArsTechnica.com is a well regarded technology news and review site that does a great job in keeping tabs on the latest developments in image-editing software. However, finding that information on this blog-style site can be a challenge. The best approach is to use the search function to find what's been written about specific image-editing programs. Reviews are meaty for the most part, and comparisons are often made, however ratings are not provided and the overall best software is not explicitly named.
7. PopPhoto.com
As of March 2010
Accessories Reviews
by Editors of PopPhoto.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentIn addition to the article cited above, you can find a small handful of individual imaging-software reviews at this site. Reports cover the highlights well enough, though those looking for good detail will be disappointed. The most recent version of Adobe Photoshop is complimented as a "worthwhile" update that makes it easier to use the full power of the program.
8. ImagingInfo.com
As of March 2010
Reviews
by Editors of ImagingInfo.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis is the online home for several magazines aimed at the professional photography industry. Reviews are largely positive, but not particularly long. Programs are compared to previous versions, but not to competing choices. There are a lot more camera reviews than software reviews, but you will find reports on Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop.
9. Amazon.com
As of March 2010
Photo and Video Editing
by Editors of and contributors to Amazon.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentOwner reviews give prospective photo-editing software buyers good insight into how well a particular program performs in the real world and in everyday use. Most major programs get enough feedback for ratings to be meaningful, and reading through the individual reports -- though tedious at times -- can give a good impression on where a program impresses, and where it disappoints. Some write ups are brief, but some go into great detail, even comparing software to competing choices. Among photo-editing software with lots of feedback, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom scores particularly well, with most owners granting it either 4 or 5 stars out of 5.
10. About.com
Not Dated
Before You Buy Photo Editing Software
by Sue Chastain
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentSue Chastain, the guide to graphics software at About.com, offers an informative article on what to look for in advanced, beginner, budget and free image-editing software. She then offers her recommendations in each of these categories for both PCs and Macs. The reviews cover some but not all of the latest versions. Ranking is implied by the way the software is listed, but the ratings for the top picks are all the same. Not all the recommended software has been reviewed. In addition to this article, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 gets a rave review. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
11. CNET
As of March 2010
Image Editing
by Editors of CNET
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentCNET hasn't done the best job keeping up with the latest photo-editing software, with most reviews being of earlier versions. One exception is a pretty meaty single-product review of the current version of Adobe Photoshop. Testing is done, and positives and negatives are well explained.
12. Download.com
As of March 2010
Image Editing Software
by Editors of Download.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentDownload.com is a good place to get downloads of free photo-editing software, as well as trial versions of commercial programs. Editors provide brief snapshot reviews and ratings. Users weigh in with their own opinions -- which are sometimes radically different. Most owner reviews are brief, and some have only a rating with no further explanation.
13. Ken Rockwell
Sept. 2008
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2
by Ken Rockwell
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentPhotography enthusiast Ken Rockwell reviews digital SLR cameras more than software, but this older review of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is detailed, including an interactive screenshot to illustrate the program's photo-editing capabilities. For cataloguing images, however, Rockwell says he prefers iView Media Pro.
14. DigitalOutbackPhoto.com
Not Dated
Our Top Workflow and Editing Tools in 2008
by Uwe Steinmueller
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThe photo-editing and workflow tools recommended in this older article are for advanced photographers. Not surprisingly, Adobe Photoshop CS4 and Lightroom 2 head the list, but the review also covers three lesser-known tools that solve specific problems.
15. TopTenReviews.com
Not Dated
Photo Editing Software Review
by Editors of TopTenReviews.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis report rates 10 photo-editing software programs for beginner to semi-professional use, with separate reviews plus a comparison chart. Each program is given an overall rating based on scores in seven categories including ease of use, importing, editing, organizing and sharing of photos. However, testing is not explained or documented, so this review is most useful for those who want to compare features between programs.
16. DigitalPhotos101.com
Not Dated
Photo Editing Software Reviews
by Editors of DigitalPhotos101.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThis site reports on eight intermediate-level photo-editing programs. The single-product reviews vary in quality, though all seem to be based on features rather than testing or usage. The best include a list of pluses and minuses, while the worst reviews are no more than a summary of features. A comparison chart puts features side-by-side for easy comparison, but isn't that detailed and omits some of the photo-editing software covered by the site.
     
 

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