PIXELMATOR PRO VS AFFINITY PHOTO 2 (2023): WHICH IS THE BETTER RAW EDITOR IN 2023

More than a year as past since the initial Pixelmator Pro and Affinity Photo comparison video. Since that time both apps have released multiple major updates that has improved features and corrected deficiencies. In this video we examine the latest iteration of Pixelmator Pro and Affinity Photo 2 and find out which editor is the better RAW editor in 2023. Is it still Pixelmator Pro or has Affinity Photo taken the crown.

[joerichard]

Great video, I love PMP, especially since the team continues to make regular improvements. Once they build in some Stitching & Focus stacking features.. it will be the premiere editor

[Sukhinov]

You mention the lack of targeting for Shadows adjustments in each of your videos about Pixelmator. :)
This issue will be addressed in one of the upcoming Pixelmator versions, although old documents will still have "wide" shadows for compatibility reasons.
The handling of dynamic range and highlights will also be improved.

[wallystellmacher]

Another pro for Pixelmator is the fact that the design and use looks much more modern. Affinity photo appearance is rather old fashioned and not that fun to use.

[minagalexe]

You have a very nice video but you know...until the 2203 a lot of things can it's not that I want to wait until then but I don't think I will be if you update the title maybe I will be there in anyway much .... much appreciated all your videos! Love from Italy!

[RobbieRo]

If Pixelmator Pro had Focus merge and HDR merge it would be very close to perfect. Thanks for the excellent comparison.

[rolex-jsnk]

in affinity photo i'm pretty sure that if the 100% slider is not enough you can manually input a higher number in the box that will increase the shadows/highlights, or at least in photo persona you can. but I do agree Affinity needs AI tools now as that is severely lacking especially when it comes to workflow.

[maryetdave]

Nice comparison, id like to see a Darkrooms VS Photomator on ipad, that would be awesome

[peterwilson]

Yes! Your analysis is correct! Affinity has made a bad job with Photo. Designer is a success, together with Publisher. When I edit raw files, I stick to the very wonderful Adobe Lightroom Classic, the desktop version!, not the simpler version (not called ’classic’) which is for mobile jobs. The latest, 2024 version, is formidable! I use Pixelmator Pro in combination with Affinity Designer and Photo and, of course, Adobe Photoshop!

[Eigil_Skovgaard]

As a Darktable user this test confirms that my Affinity Photo 2 is excellent as a pixel editor in continuation of the results from Darktable, that is - in the few cases when I need one. Most of the time I don't need a pixel editor for my nature images. Darktable is free, which is a good argument pro this software, but it's rather difficult to learn and tends to 'kill' the interest up front with many beginners. AP2 represents high value for the money. I really appreciate my combination, as it keeps me off Adobe and other constructions based on subscriptions. I hope AP2 will avoid the AI pit, which slowly but surely will bury craftsmanship, creativity, imagination and personal development. Thank you for the comparison and conclusion.

[knofi]

For me a big advantage of Affinity Photo is the seamless integration in the Affinity Suite.

[joseguevara]

40 years working with color and just the use of different screens make everything different and besides not all human brains see the same color, to me is ridiculous what we are doing lately taking the most minimal difference in something to be the way to live. I have 3 screens the same brand in the same desk with the same voltage connected to the same video card and in the 3 screens have color differences.

[nazsimons]

I own both programs also and love them both. But I find this comparison pretty unfair. You are comparing Pixelmator full capability to the Develop Persona, not the full Affinity Photo. Affinity Photo Develop Persona is not the best Raw Developer I have used, that spot is reserved so far for Capture One Pro (and now Adobe Camera Raw) but (and this is a big but) regardless of Affinity photo lacking on AI powered selection tools, the quick selection and the refine selection tool and the live masks, are way powerful and accurate than the Pixelmator counterpart. Granted, RAW editing only within the Develop Persona is limited, but the work can be finished with outstanding results in the Photo Persona.

[t.b.]

Pixelmator Pro in fire hands down, easiest one out there.

[skrimaging]

Pixelmator Pro for those local adjustments wins hands down

[mihaimihai]

The Big problem on PixelMator is that run only on Mac. Affinity run on Win and Mac. Game over. PM lose