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Home » Topaz Denoise AI Review – A Flawed Gem.

Topaz Denoise AI Review – A Flawed Gem.

Topaz Denoise ai

In this Topaz Denoise AI review, we’re looking at the latest version of Topaz Lab’s standalone AI denoising tool and one of the best noise reduction software applications you can buy.

While Topaz Noise Reduction is undoubtedly excellent, Topaz Denoise AI exists in a crowded market and faces strong competition from DxO PureRaw 3, ON1 NoNoise AI 2023, and even Lightroom’s AI denoising application. Is Topaz Denoise AI good enough to see off its competition? Let’s find out. Jump to Conclusion.

My partners may sell some or all of the items featured in this post, and should you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. While my affiliations may influence which products I choose to write about, – my assessments aim to be fair, objective and orientated toward my readership’s best interests.


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Topaz Denoise AI Review – Contents

What is Topaz Denoise AI

Topaz Denoise AI is a standalone photo noise reduction application for PC and Mac OS. And by standalone, I mean you can use Topaz Denoise AI independently of your favorite photo editor. Alternatively, you can use Topaz Denoise AI as a plugin for select Photoshop and Lightroom Classic versions.

Topaz Denoise AI

What does Topaz Denoise AI do.

Topaz Denoise AI is a purpose-built AI noise reduction application for denoising your photos. But unlike old-fashioned non-AI noise reduction systems that strip your picture of noise and detail, Topaz Denoise AI removes noise while enhancing detail.

Topaz Denoise AI

Thus, as the sample below demonstrates, photos denoised with Topaz Denoise look cleaner and more detailed.

Original
Topaz Denoise AI

As a result, Topaz Denoise AI is vastly better than any non-AI noise reduction software you may currently be using, and if you’ve yet to try the lasted AI denoising applications, Topaz Denoise AI is one of the best. Read Best Noise Reduction Software Compared.

How much does Topaz Denoise AI cost?

Topaz Denoise AI costs US$79.99. Alternatively, you can buy Topaz Denoise AI bundled with Topaz Sharpen AI and Gigapixel AI, collectively worth $259, for just $199. Read Topaz Image Quality Bundle Review.

However, I strongly recommend Topaz Photo AI if you are looking for an all-in-one denoising, sharpening, and upscaling application. Read Topaz Photo AI Review.

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How to use Topaz Denoise AI Tutorial

Topaz Denoise AI is remarkably straightforward to use. You’ll be up and running in no time.

1. Open your image

You can open a single image or an entire batch. In this Topaz Denoise AI tutorial, we’ll edit a single image. By default, Topaz Denoise AI will denoise your photo for you. However, I have found it’s often possible to achieve superior results with some manual intervention.

2. Adjusting settings

Select one of the five AI noise reduction models to apply your noise reduction settings. Standard, Clean, Low Light, Severe Noise, and Raw.

Choosing an AI noise reduction in Topaz Denoise AI

After choosing your preferred AI model, you can fine-tune its effect with the Remove Noise and Enhance Sharpness adjustments.

3. Comparing multiple AI models

To find the best result, you can preview the effect of each AI model simultaneously using Topaz Denoise AI’s four-way split-screen options. You can alter the settings for each preview by clicking on it and adjusting the settings as usual.

Comparing AI noise reduction models with Topaz Denoise AI’s four-way split screen mode.

4. Applying a Mask

Occasionally, you might wish to apply noise reduction to a specific part of your image – rather than the image as a whole. For this, you need to use a mask. To begin, click on the Mask icon near the trash can at the bottom of the screen.

Using the masking brush in Topaz Denoise AI

To select the area you wish to apply noise reduction, click Add and brush your mask into place with your mouse. To make things easier, I recommend you enable Edge Aware brushing and alter your brush size to suit your subject.

Please note the red overlay is only there to illustrate where you have brushed, and you’re not painting over your image—Click Apply when you’ve finished applying the mask.

5. Saving your image

Once you’re happy with your denoised image, it’s time to save it. To do this, click Save Image. You’ll have the option to replace your image, but I recommend you save it as a copy – thus, leaving your original image intact.

Exporting a denoised photo to a new file

By disabling Preserve Input Settings, you can save your denoised image in all the usual formats, such as JPG, TIFF, PNG, and DNG. Give your file a name and location, and you’re done.

Topaz Denoise AI Tutorial (Video)

Topaz Denoise AI Video Review and Tutorial

Topaz Denoise AI Test

In this part of my Topaz Denoise AI review, we find out how good Denoise AI is. Each sample includes a screenshot of the whole image plus a slide tool enabling you to compare a before and after 1:1 crop of the original and denoised picture version.

Test 1

Taken with an Olympus OM-D M1ii at high ISO

As you can see, Denoise AI has a transformative effect on this noisest of noisy photos.

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Topaz Denoise AI

Test 2

Taken with a Nikon D750 at high ISO.

Portraits are particularly challenging for image enhancement applications since any over-processing stands out a mile. But I could extract a clean, natural-looking result with a little fine-tuning.

Original
Topaz Denoise AI

Test 3

Taken with a Sony P-93

So, how well does Topaz Denoise AI clean up your old 3-megapixel point-and-shoot photos? Very well, I would say.

Original
Topaz Denoise AI

Topaz Denoise AI Performance and Ergonomics

The latest version of Topaz Denoise AI is faster than ever. Specifically, it takes between two and four seconds to apply any of the five AI denoising models to a raw file.

Topaz Denoise AI

But, unlike other noise reduction applications, Topaz Denoise AI will pause for a second or two whenever you pan and zoom your image or make micro-adjustments to noise reduction strength and detail. As a result, Topaz Denoise is fast but not the fastest of the AI noise-reduction software applications I have tested.

Regarding ergonomics, Topaz Denoise AI is a delight to use. You will only need a few minutes to familiarize yourself with its attractive interface. Furthermore, of all the photo denoisers I have tested, Topaz Denoise AI offers the most flexibility and adjustment, giving you greater control other the quality of the result.

Thanks to its flexibility, Topaz Denoise AI has the means to outperform its more automated rivals – but only if you’re happy to spend the time fine-tuning the result, as Topaz Denoise AI’s automatic mode does not reliably produce the best result it is capable of.

Therefore, I recommend trying something else if you’re looking for a hands-off noise reduction solution.

Is Topaz Denoise AI any good?

As the test above demonstrates, Topaz Denoise AI is an extremely capable AI photo denoiser. Moreover, thanks to a straightforward interface and responsive tools, it’s a delight to use.

In addition, Topaz Denoise AI’s multiple AI models offer superior control over the end result, enabling it to outperform its rivals in some circumstances.

However, such results demand your engagement and willingness to cycle through and compare the effect of each AI model – a somewhat tedious process. Alternatively, you can leave Topaz Denoise AI on its automatic mode and settle for what will likely be a less impressive result.

Topaz Denoise AI Alternatives

Topaz Denoise AI vs Topaz Photo AI

It is perhaps no surprise that Topaz Denoise AI and Topaz Photo AI are equally effective photo denoisers, given Topaz Labs develop both.

However, images processed with Topaz Photo AI will look better because it combines denoising with AI sharpening, resolution enhancement, and upscaling. But, as you might expect, Topaz Photo AI costs significantly more than Topaz Denoise AI.

Topaz Denoise AI
Topaz Photo AI

Thus, if you can justify the cost, Topaz Photo AI is worth every dollar. But if you only want noise reduction, your photos will be no noisier if you choose to buy Topaz Denoise AI instead. Read Topaz Photo AI Review.

Topaz Denoise AI vs Lightroom

Lightroom now has AI noise reduction, and unlike Topaz Denoise AI, Lightroom is a fully-features photo management and editing studio. Therefore, Lightroom is very different from Topaz Denoise AI and much more expensive.

Applying noise reduction in Lightroom. Read Lightroom Review.

Thus the real question is, is Topaz Denoise AI worth it if you own Lightroom? And for most people, the answer is no. While Topaz Denoise AI is ultimately superior, noise reduction in Lightroom is still very good.

Topaz Denoise AI
Lightroom Denoise

Thus, it isn’t easy to justify the additional cost of Topaz Denoise AI. Nor is it easy for me to justify the inconvenience of splitting your photo editing workflow between two separate applications for what will only be marginal gains. Read Lightroom Review.

Topaz Denoise AI vs DxO PureRaw 3

DxO PureRaw 3 combines best-in-class raw processing and correction with its outstanding DeepPRIME noise reduction to create spectacular images that exceed the reach of noise reduction-only applications such as Topaz Denoise AI.

Furthermore, DxO PureRaw 3 is almost entirely automated and reliably excellent, making it the best hands-off photo denoiser I have tested.

Topaz Denoise AI
DxO PureRaw 3

But it’s not all good news. First, as the name suggests, DxO PureRaw 3 is raw only, so you cannot use it to denoise your JPEGs. Second, it’s almost twice as expensive as Topaz Denoise AI. But, if you work exclusively with Raw files and don’t mind paying the extra, DxO PureRaw 3 is a compelling choice. Read DxO PureRAW 3 Review

Topaz Denoise AI vs ON1 NoNoise AI 2023

Like Topaz Denoise AI, ON1 NoNoise AI 2023 is an exceptional noise reduction application. Furthermore, ON1 NoNoise AI runs much faster than Topaz Denoise AI and includes Tack Sharp AI – an image-sharpening tool similar to Topaz Sharpen AI but not nearly as good.

Furthermore, ON1 NoNoise AI is cheaper than Topaz Denoise AI while delivering comparable noise reduction performance. And unlike Topaz Denoise AI, ON1 NoNoise AI offers raw enhancement and optical corrections.

Topaz Denoise AI
ON1 NoNoise AI

However, Topaz Denoise AI’s multiple AI models mean it can produce better results if you’re willing to optimize the settings. Whereas ON1 NoNoise AI is a better option if you’re in a rush. Read ON1 NoNoise AI 2023 Review


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Conclusion

Topaz Denoise AI is one of the best photo noise reduction software applications you can buy today. It’s easy to use, relatively affordable, and highly effective. In other words, Topaz Denoise AI is all the noise reduction you’ll ever need.

Topaz Denoise AI

Yet, Topaz Denoise AI finds itself flanked by some serious competition. ON1 NoNoise AI is often as effective, sometimes superior, typically cheaper, and always faster.

Pay a little more, and you get DxO PureRaw 3, which combines an automated workflow, equally effective noise reduction and adds sublime raw conversion for even better results.

Then there’s Denoise AI’s stablemate, Topaz Photo AI, which is just as capable as Topaz Denoise AI but adds resolution enhancement, blur-correction, sharpening, and upscaling for compound enhancement and truly transformative results.

Thus, Topaz Denoise AI, an otherwise excellent product, finds itself in a bit of a squeeze. Yet, Topaz Denoise AI does have a differentiator in its multiple AI models. So long as you’re willing to put the time in, I’m convinced that Topaz Denoise AI has the means to outperform its rivals – particularly when dealing with challenging images.

Overall, Topaz Denoise AI is a nice-to-use and extremely effective noise-reduction tool you’ll be happy to own. But, if you look around, you may still find something better.

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Get Topaz Denoise AI

Just Topaz Denoise AI. Includes no-quibble 30-day Refund

$79.99


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