Topaz Denoise improves noise by two stops?
Posted: 26 Apr 2020 22:42
Ok, I'm impressed by Topaz Denoise and I feel this will save me from upgrading a camera body. I prefer shooting 3200 ISO at the highest with my E-M10 Mark II. Could it be that 12800 filtered through Topaz is as good as Olympus 3200 ISO at Standard Noise Filter or if not better?
ISO 3200 Standard Noise Filter
ISO 12800 No Noise Filter - Topaz Denoise Clear
ISO 12800 Standard Noise Filter
(You should be able to right click each photo and save image as to view the photo in high res on your computer)
Topaz will convert the Olympus ORF files in to DNG but they will take about 5 times the space. I've found for my work flow to turn off the camera's noise filter, do post processing with the ORF files in Lightroom without noise reduction and filter the post processed JPEG through Topaz. As much as I tried, I can't get the noise reduction to work as well in Lightroom but its a one click to auto adjust in Topaz and about a minute later I get my image clean and sharp.
The only problem I have is on people faces, if there is stubble or freckles, Topaz will smooth it out too much. However there is a slider that can bring back that detail without a problem.
I'm still considering the E-M1 Mark II or E-M5 Mark III for improved noise filter, phase detection, better C-AF faster burst, bigger buffer and pro capture mode. With my E-M10 Mark II, I usually set the camera to JPEG only when shooting burst, so I'm looking forward to a bigger buffer but also better C-AF.
For me if this program works as a good as I've seen, I will be buying it so I can confidently shoot at 6400 for bird photography using the Olympus 75-300mm and I will continue to work with the limitations of the E-M10 Mark II a little longer.
ISO 3200 Standard Noise Filter
ISO 12800 No Noise Filter - Topaz Denoise Clear
ISO 12800 Standard Noise Filter
(You should be able to right click each photo and save image as to view the photo in high res on your computer)
Topaz will convert the Olympus ORF files in to DNG but they will take about 5 times the space. I've found for my work flow to turn off the camera's noise filter, do post processing with the ORF files in Lightroom without noise reduction and filter the post processed JPEG through Topaz. As much as I tried, I can't get the noise reduction to work as well in Lightroom but its a one click to auto adjust in Topaz and about a minute later I get my image clean and sharp.
The only problem I have is on people faces, if there is stubble or freckles, Topaz will smooth it out too much. However there is a slider that can bring back that detail without a problem.
I'm still considering the E-M1 Mark II or E-M5 Mark III for improved noise filter, phase detection, better C-AF faster burst, bigger buffer and pro capture mode. With my E-M10 Mark II, I usually set the camera to JPEG only when shooting burst, so I'm looking forward to a bigger buffer but also better C-AF.
For me if this program works as a good as I've seen, I will be buying it so I can confidently shoot at 6400 for bird photography using the Olympus 75-300mm and I will continue to work with the limitations of the E-M10 Mark II a little longer.