DXO Labs today announced the release of Nik Collection 5. The suite of Plug-ins contains major upgrades to ColorEfex and AnalogEfex which include a new user interface as well as anew grain tool and the companies clear view technology. The suite also now comes with DXO Photolab 5 Essential, bringing Raw editing and DXO’s renowned optics correction to the suite.

Nik ColorEfex 5 & Nik AnalogEfex 3

Both ColorEfex and AnalogEfex get the completely updated interface that was introduced in the previous version with SilverEfex and Viveza. This not only brings a more modern UI and better integration with Lightroom, it also brings the companies updated u-point technology to the suite.

U-point controls in these applications now include the ability to refine the mask, with controls to refine the luminance and chrominance keys that are used when deciding the areas to be masked.

ColorEfex 5 Also gets two new tools. The plug-in now has DXO’s clear view, available as an overall global adjustment, as well as a new grain tool. Clear View is like a combination of Dehaze and Micro Contrast and works well to remove mist and fog as well as providing tonal contrast to an image. The new grain function is based on real-world grain and comes with 29 authentic colour film grains.

Analog Efex now has improved preset management in addition to the updated user interface.

Nik Perspective Efex adds more than 4,300 new camera and lens combinations

Perspective Efex, the suite's lens and distortion correction tool, ads an additional 4300 new camera and lens combinations, with 20 new cameras and 60 lenses added to the database. According to DXO, the plug-in can now automatically correct the geometric distortions of more than 70,000 camera and lens combinations. This now includes Fuji X-Trans cameras and lenses.

DXO PhotoLab 5 Essential now included

The suite now includes DXO’s entry level raw conversion and processing application. PhotoLab 5 essential allows users of the suite to convert RAW photos and work directly with the plug-ins without having to go through third-party software. The application also has the company’s u-point technology as well as their optical correction technology which works directly on RAW files when processing. This version does lack many of the features of the full DXO Photo Lab however, including Deep Prime and Clear View Plus.

According to current information on the DXO website, the Essential version also lacks support for Fuji X-Trans files, but I’m waiting for confirmation that this is still the case. This would make sense, though, as the Fuji X-Trans conversions require Deep Prime for the best quality conversions. You can see the comparison of the versions here on the website.

The software previously cost €139 to purchase standalone, so this is pretty good value to get with the NIK suite.

Pricing and Availability

The software is available now on the DXO website. Pricing for the full suite (New licence) is €149 $149 or £135 and upgrade pricing is $79 €79 or £135. There is also a trial version available.

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