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Gigapixel 7 Review – A Step Backwards

Gigapixel Review

Gigapixel 7 is an AI-powered image upscaler that enables you to enlarge your digital photos by up to 600% – all while inserting new details and improving your photo’s image quality. Moreover, Gigapixel 7 is the best AI Upscaler I have tested, frequently outperforming top-tier alternatives such as ON1 Resize AI and Lightroom Super Resolution.

However, despite being rebuilt from the ground up and regarding image quality, Gigapixel 7 appears to be no better than earlier versions of Gigapixel AI. Furthermore, Gigapixel 7 is slower and has lost Gigapixel AI’s absurdly useful four-way comparison view. Nevertheless, if you want to buy the best image upscaler today, you’re looking for Gigapixel 7. Jump to Conclusion | Try Gigapixel for Free

REVIEW CONTINUES BELOW


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Gigapixel Review – Contents

What is Gigapixel 7

Topaz Gigapixel is an AI-powered image upscaling application for PC and Mac designed to enlarge your digital photos and pictures by up to 600%. As a standalone software application, you can run Gigapixel independently of any other software or as a plugin for Lightroom Classic and Photoshop.

Gigapixel 7
Gigapixel 7

But unlike traditional upscaling, which mindlessly turns one pixel into many, Gigapixel’s machine-learned AI algorithms read your image, anticipating and inserting new detail into your enlarged photo. As the sample below demonstrates, pictures enlarged with Gigapixel AI are not only bigger but often sharper and more detailed.

Comparing an original image with one upscaled in Gigapixel
Images upscaled with Gigapixel are often more detailed than the original smaller image.

How much does Gigapixel cost?

US$99.99 Buy Now.

Download the Free Gigapixel trial.

You can try Gigapixel – free for 30 days. No credit card is required. Try Gigapixel Now – For Free.

How to use Gigapixel 7

1. Select Resize Mode

Gigapixel can upscale images by up to 600%.

After opening your file, you choose how much you wish to enlarge your image. You can upscale your image by a factor between 1x and 6x or set specific dimensions in pixels, inches, or centimeters. Gigapixel 7 also includes a Crop tool.

2. Select AI Model

Changing you AI model in Gigapixel
Each AI model produces distinct results.

Gigapixel features multiple AI Models, each producing a different aesthetic. Which AI model is best depends on your photo’s condition and style; for best results, it’s worth clicking through each to find out which you like best. Alternatively, click the switch with the lightning bolt, and a Gigapixel will choose which AI model it thinks will work best.

3. Sharpen and Denoise your image

Gigapixel’s sharpening and denoising tools are pretty good but fall short of specialist applications such as Topaz Denoise AI and Sharpen AI.

Topaz Gigapixel includes sharpening and denoising tools. While these tools don’t compete well with the best noise reduction software and sharpening applications, they are effective nonetheless. Click on the lightning bolt icon, and Gigapixel will apply these settings for you.

4. Face Recovery and Gamma Correction

Gigapixel’s Face Recovery tool works well, but Gamma Correction didn’t appear to do much.

Gigapixel’s Face Recovery feature lets you tone down the amount of processing applied to portraits for more natural-looking features and skin tones. I tried Gamma correction, but it wasn’t easy to see its effect.

5. Compare your before and after images

Comparing the upscaled image with the original.

You can use the controls above to zoom into your image or compare your processed image with the original using either the spit view or the side-by-side comparison mode. Sadly, Gigapixal AI’s four-way split screen mode is absent in Gigapixel 7.

6. Export your image

Exporting an image with Gigapixel 7
You can save your enlarged image as a DNG Raw file, which is ideal for further photo editing.

Finally, click Save Image to export your upscaled image as a JPEG, TIFF, PNG, or DNG Raw to a folder of your choice.

Gigapixel Samples

Sample 1 – Portrait

Gigapixel 7
Using Gigapixel to upscale a portrait
Comparing an original photo with one processed in Gigapixel
Gigapixel is the best upscaler I have tested for processing portraits.

Sample 2 – Architecture

Gigapixel 7
Enlarging portraits with Gigapixel
Comparing an original image with one upscaled in Gigapixel
Here, Gigapixel 7 struggles to reconstruct some of the finer details. Nonetheless, the image is improved and should look good when viewed from typical distances.

Sample 3 – Wildlife

Gigapixel is effective for upscaling wildlife photos
Comparing an original image with one upscaled in Gigapixel
Here, Gigapixel did a great job finding additional detail. Yet, a consequence of enlarging an image four-fold is that once-unnoticeable factors such as lens softness are amplified.

Is Gigapixel any good

In operation, Gigapixel is good rather than excellent. Specifically, Gigapixel can be slow, with delays between one and ten seconds each time the image is rerendered to match your last adjustment. Further compounding the issue is the automatic mode, which is okay but cannot be relied upon to produce the best result. Thus, you will feel compelled to endure Gigapixel’s delays and manually fine-tune your way to achieve the optimum result.

Regarding fine-tuning, Gigapixel AI had an absurdly useful four-way split screen that allowed you to compare the effects of four settings simultaneously. Sadly, this feature is not present in Gigapixel 7, and you can only compare your processed image with the original.

While getting to the result isn’t as quick as it should be, it might be worth the wait. Regarding upscaling portraits, Gigapixel’s light touch produces natural-looking results beyond the reach of its over-processing rivals. The ability to enable Face Recovery and refine processing further only extends Gigapixel’s lead. When it comes to upscaling photos of landscapes, wildlife, and architecture, Gigapixel is at least as good as any other upscaler and often better.

Best Alternatives to Gigapixel 7

Gigapixel 7 vs Gigapixel AI

I do not consider Gigapixel 7 a worthwhile upgrade to Gigapixel AI for two reasons. First, there’s no meaningful difference in image quality between the two. Second, Gigapixel 7 feels slower than Gigapixel AI and lacks the latter’s absurdly useful four-way comparison view.

Gigapixel AI’s four-way comparison mode provided an opportunity to compare the results of four different AI models separately. Sadly, Gigapixel 7 lacks this feature.

Thus, in some ways, Gigapixel 7 feels like a downgrade. If you are still using Gigapixel version 6, I recommend you resist upgrading and wait to see what Gigapixel 8 brings.

Gigapixel AI vs Topaz Photo AI

Gigapixel and Topaz Photo AI are equally excellent upscalers, producing near-identical results. However, this isn’t a fair fight.

Topaz Photo AI
Topaz Photo AI

Whereas Gigapixel is one of the best upscalers, Topaz Photo AI combines top-tier upscaling, sharpening, and noise reduction. This means two things. First, Topaz Photo AI has utility beyond upscaling. Second, you can combine Topaz Photo AI’s talents by applying sharpening, noise reduction, and upscaling to an image simultaneously.

To demonstrate, let’s revisit sample 3, the lens-soft image we saw earlier in this review. The picture on the left was upscaled and sharpened with Topaz Photo AI, and the image on the right is Gigapixel AI’s best effort.

Gigapixel vs Topaz Photo AI
Gigapixel vs Topaz Photo AI – 400% upscale.

As you can see, Topaz Photo AI easily outperforms Gigapixel 7, and the gap only widens further when working with noise-ridden images. Unfortunately, Topaz Photo AI costs twice as much as Gigapixel. So, if you’re only upscaling sharp and noise-free images, you might as well save some money and buy Gigapixel. But if you want the best upscaler for all conditions, get Topaz Photo AI.

Read Topaz Photo AI Review for more information, samples, and comparisons

Gigapixel AI vs Lightroom Super Resolution

Gigapixel is superior to Lightroom Super Resolution for two reasons. First, unless you’re willing to endure a simple but clumsy workaround, Lightroom Super Resolution is limited to 200% upscales compared to Gigapixel’s maximum of 600%.

Super Resolution Upscaling for Lightroom
Lightroom

Second, my tests have found Gigapixel AI is better than Lightroom Super Resolution when upscaling complex scenery and portraits. Nonetheless, if you are a Lightroom subscriber with infrequent upscaling needs, you might find Lightroom Super Resolution good enough. But, if you want the best, Lightroom Super Resolution is well beaten by Gigapixel.

Read Lightroom Review for more information, samples, and comparisons.

Gigapixel vs ON1 Resize AI

ON1 Resize AI is a terrific AI upscaler that runs faster than Gigapixel. Furthermore, it has some additional features to assist with printing.

ON1 Resize AI 2023

However, when it comes to image quality, ON1 Resize AI is less effective than Gigapixel. This is particularly true when it comes to upscaling portraits, despite the recent inclusion of a Face Recovery feature in Resize 2023.5.

Netherthess, ON1 Resize AI’s outright speed and print-friendly features help it stand out as the best of the rest. However, regarding image quality, Gigapixel AI has the upper hand.

Read ON1 Resize AI Review for more information and samples.

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Conclusion

Gigapixel 7 is the best AI upscaler I have tested in terms of image quality. This is particularly true when upscaling challenging high-detail scenes, and its lighter touch results in more natural-looking upscaled portraits than its over-processing rivals.

Therefore, it is unfortunate that Gigapixel 7 compares unfavorably with the product it is meant to replace – Gigapixel AI. Regarding image quality, Gigapixel 7 is no better than Gigapixel AI. But critically, Gigapixel 7 lacks AI’s wonderfully helpful four-way split screen mode and the ability to compare multiple AI models simultaneously. Furthermore, Gigapixel 7 feels a little slower than Gigapixel AI.

Thus, if you already own Gigapixel AI and are looking for an improvement, I’d recommend you look past Gigapixel 7 and towards Topaz Photo AI.

Gigapixel 7 and Topaz Photo AI are equally matched in terms of upscaling. Yet, thanks to Topaz Photo AI’s expanded feature set, it can augment its upscaling with class-leading sharpening and denoising to deliver results beyond what Gigapixel AI or any other dedicated upscaler is capable of. Unfortunately, Topaz Photo AI costs twice as much, but in my opinion, it’s worth it.

Overall, Gigapixel 7 isn’t quite the compelling upgrade to Gigapixel AI we hoped for. Yet, based on every other product, it remains the best dedicated AI upscaler I have tested and, thus, an easy recommendation.

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Richard Adams

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