Topaz Denoise AI is an AI-powered photo denoiser that combines stunning noise reduction with an easy-to-use interface to deliver one of the best noise reduction applications on the market today.
In this Topaz Denoise AI review, we’re looking at Denoise AI’s strengths, and weaknesses, and how it compares against other top-tier AI noise reduction applications such as ON1 NoNoise AI and DxO PureRaw 2. Let’s get started. Jump to Conclusion.
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Topaz Denoise AI Review – Contents
- What is Topaz Denoise AI
- What does Topaz Denoise AI do.
- Who is Topaz Denoise AI for
- How much does Topaz Denoise AI cost?
- How to use Topaz Denoise AI
- Topaz Denoise AI Tutorial (Video)
- Topaz Denoise AI Test
- Does Topaz Denoise AI work?
- Is Denoise AI nice to use?
- Topaz Denoise AI Compared
- Conclusion
What is Topaz Denoise AI
Topaz Denoise AI, from Topaz Labs, 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 versions of the following photo editing applications,
- Photoshop
- Lightroom Classic
What does Topaz Denoise AI do.
Topaz Denoise AI is purpose-built to remove noise and grain from your photos. But unlike traditional noise reduction systems, which strip your picture of noise and detail, Topaz Denoise AI removes noise while enhancing detail.
As you can see, photos denoised with Topaz Denoise AI are often more detailed than the noisy original image you began with. Need more proof? Stay tuned for more samples later in this Topaz Denoise AI review.
Who is Topaz Denoise AI for
Topaz Denoise AI is for anyone whose photos are spoiled by noise. For instance, you may take photos in poorly lit spaces or use fast, light-starved shutter speeds to take sharp photos of fast subjects. In these cases, it’s not always possible to avoid high ISO and the noise they produce. Read What is Camera ISO.
But load your photo into Topaz Denoise AI, and you will be stunned at how much better your once-noisy photo will look. In this regard, it’s easy to consider Topaz Denoise AI an absurdly cheap (and lighter!) alternative to a camera or lens upgrade.
How much does Topaz Denoise AI cost?
Topaz Denoise AI costs US$79.99. Alternatively, you can spend $199 on the Topaz Image Quality Bundle, which includes Topaz Denoise AI, Sharpen AI, and Gigapixel AI.
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How to use Topaz Denoise AI
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 a bit of manual intervention.
#2. Adjusting settings
Select one of the five AI noise reduction models to apply your noise reduction settings. These are,
- Standard
- Clean
- Low Light
- Severe Noise
- Raw
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
It is often easier to find the best result by previewing the effect of each AI model simultaneously. To this end, switch to 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 in the usual manner.
#4 Applying a Mask
On some occasions, 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.
To select the area you wish to apply noise reduction, click Add and use your mouse to brush your mask into place. 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.
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 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.
Sample 1
Denoise AI delivers a spectacular performance. If you’re a fan of the Micro Four Thirds system, you’ll love Topaz Denoise AI.
Sample 2
Portraits are particularly challenging for image enhancement applications since any over-processing stands out a mile. But with a little fine-tuning, I could extract a clean, natural-looking result.
Sample 3
So, how well does Topaz Denoise AI clean up your old 3-megapixel point-and-shoot photos? Well enough, I would say.
Does Topaz Denoise AI work?
As the samples above demonstrate, Topaz Denoise AI works exceptionally well. Having used many noise reduction applications, I consider Denoise AI one of the best. Read Best Noise Reduction Software.
The one area in which Topaz Denoise AI and all other AI noise-reduction applications fail is processing images that have already suffered poor noise reduction. Inadequate noise reduction, such as that built into your smartphone, tends to wash away color and detail, leaving Topaz Denoise AI nothing to work with.
Therefore, to get the best out of Topaz Denoise AI, you should turn off your camera’s in-built noise reduction and let Denoise AI handle the rest.
Is Denoise AI nice to use?
As a specialist noise reduction application, Denoise AI’s interface is clean, nicely presented, and stocked with well-named tools and adjustments. And if you don’t want to make manual adjustments, you’ll do well enough to leave Topaz Denoise AI in its hands-off automatic mode.
In terms of speed, Topaz Denoise AI is similar to other AI-powered noise reduction applications. When you select a new AI model, make an adjustment, or zoom/pan your image – Topaz Denoise AI will pause for a period between five and fifteen seconds while it rerenders your denoised image. In other words, it’s pretty slow.
In my opinion, the wait feels entirely reasonable, given the result. But if you want quick results, there is an alternative.
Topaz Denoise AI Compared
Denoise AI is one of the best noise reduction software applications available today. But how does it fare against the competition?
Topaz Denoise AI vs ON1 NoNoise AI
Like Denoise AI, ON1 NoNoise AI 2023 is an exceptional noise reduction application. Furthermore, NoNoise AI runs much faster than Topaz Denoise AI and includes Tack Sharp AI – an image-sharpening tool similar to, but not as good as, Topaz Sharpen AI.
In practice, I found ON1 NoNoise AI’s noise reduction to be, for the most part, at least as effective as Topaz Denoise AI. However, ON1 NoNoise AI lacks Topaz Denoise AI’s array of adjustments making it a little less flexible. As a result, there are times when a carefully adjusted Denoise AI image serves up a better result.
That being said, you might prefer to trade Denoise AI’s flexibility for NoNoise AI’s speed, particularly if you have a lot of images to work with. This is a tight race, and you can’t go wrong with either. Read ON1 NoNoise AI Review.
Topaz Denoise AI vs DxO PureRaw 2
Topaz Denoise AI is much cheaper than DxO PureRaw 2. Secondly, DxO PureRaw 2 only denoises raw files, while Denoise AI will process both raw and JPEG. Finally, Denoise AI offers more in the way of manual adjustments. As a result, you have far greater control over the final result than DxO PureRaw’s largely automated noise reduction.
That said, DxO PureRAW’s automatic mode is highly reliable and often produces outstanding results. Plus, DxO PureRaw runs much faster than Topaz Denoise AI.
And in addition to denoising your photo, DxO PureRaw applies numerous adjustments and corrections to your image using optical modules specifically designed for your camera-lens combination. In other words, DxO PureRaw 2 will convert, denoise, and process your raw files to perfection.
Therefore, if you’re looking for hands-off noise reduction for large batches of photos – DxO PureRaw 2 is a clear winner. But if you want to save money, denoise JPEGs, or carefully and manually craft your result – Topaz Denoise AI is the way to go. Read DxO PureRAW Review for more information.
Topaz Denoise AI vs Topaz Photo AI
I find Topaz Denoise AI and Topaz Photo AI equally excellent in noise reduction, which is not surprising given that Topaz Photo AI is effectively Topaz Denoise AI, Topaz Sharpen AI, and Gigapixel AI combined.
As a result, Topaz Photo AI is a clear winner if you’re looking for an all-in-one image enhancement studio. But if you only want noise reduction, you should save money; Topaz Denoise AI is just as good and much cheaper. Read Topaz Photo AI Review.
Topaz Denoise AI vs OM Workspace
As a Micro Four Thirds shooter, I can confirm that Topaz Denoise AI is vastly superior to the AI noise reduction built into OM Workspace.
Furthermore, Topaz Denoise AI will denoise any photo, while OM Workspace is limited to the handful of Olympus cameras built since the Olympus OM-D M1ii. Read OM WorkSpace Review for more information.
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Conclusion
Topaz Denoise AI is one of the best photo noise reduction applications you can buy today. It’s easy to use, relatively affordable, and highly effective.
My sole grievance with Topaz Denoise AI is its speed and having to wait a few moments to preview each of my adjustments can grow wearisome. And today, neither you nor I have to wait for world-class noise reduction thanks to faster alternatives such as ON1 NoNoise 2023 or DxO PureRaw 2.
Nevertheless, Topaz Denoise AI still has some advantages. For instance, its generous stock of AI noise reduction models gives you more control over your image than DxO PureRaw 2 and NoNoise.
So, despite its slower workflow, I consider Topaz Denoise AI a win-win. It’s affordable, easy to use, and exceptional at denoising photos. Thus, Topaz Denoise AI can be nothing other than an insanely easy recommendation.
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Get Topaz Denoise AI
BUY TOPAZ DENOISE AI
Just Topaz Denoise AI. Includes no-quibble 30-day Refund
$79.99
TOPAZ BUNDLE
Includes Sharpen AI, Gigapixel AI, and Denoise AI
$199.99
TOPAZ DENOISE TRIAL
Try Denoise AI for free. No Credit Card Required
$0
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OM Workspace Review – AI Noise Reduction Tested and Compared
Topaz Denoise AI Review – A Flawed Gem.
Topaz Photo AI Review – Almost Perfect
Gigapixel AI Review 2023 – Almost Perfect. Almost.
Topaz Image Quality Bundle Review 2022
Topaz Sharpen AI Review 2023 – Nearly Perfect but needs to be Faster
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