Reduce noise with DxO PureRAW 3 and optimize quality of noisy images

DxO PureRAW³ is a cutting-edge noise reduction processor that promises to improve your noisy images so much you’ll feel like you have a new camera. At first look, DxO’s unique DeepPRIME and new DeepPRIME XD algorithms give, frankly, pretty amazing results.

I tested how much you can reduce noise with DxO PureRAW³ software using the DeepPRIME and DeepPRIME XD algorithm. I ran it on this batch of wedding photos shot underexposed in the dark at a high ISO to see how well this new noise reduction technology works.

My crop sensor Canon EOS 7D Mark II took all the images in this article.

What’s the difference between DeepPRIME and DeepPRIME XD?

The two options to process within DxO PureRAW³ use the same deep learning algorithm to reduce noise and preserve detail. The XD version is a more powerful version: It takes longer and it produces enhanced details over the standard DeepPRIME.

This is before and after with my RAW and then processed with DeepPRIME. I’ve done this with a video to make the difference clearer at different sizes. It’s hard to see the depth of the effect in a low-res JPG. Make sure you have a go yourself with your own problem images on the free trial.

This is my RAW compared to processed with DeepPRIME XD.

DeepPRIME took under a minute for this image. DeepPRIME XD took about five minutes to process.

The difference from RAW to processed with either DeepPRIME version is striking. Uniform areas are smooth and the detail in faces is not just preserved, but sharpened and clarified. In high resolution, DeepPRIME XD is visibly better (again the difference is less evident in these smaller resolution JPG exports).

Comparing an edited version of an image after DeepPRIME XD processing

One last comparison for this photo: This one compares my original edited version to the same edits applied to the DeepPRIME XD processed image. At high resolution it’s clear that the algorithm smashes it out of the park to reduce noise with DxO PureRAW³. It’s like a completely different (better) camera took the same image.

I used Lightroom Classic for my edits. There is a built-in export to Lightroom Classic, Lightroom or Photoshop within DxO PureRAW³ and visa versa, a plugin to use DeepPRIME and DeepPRIME XD from within Lightroom Classic without leaving your catalog. I love that it integrates into your existing Lightroom workflow.

How does it work to reduce noise with DxO PureRAW³?

The proprietary technology used in with DxO PureRAW³ uses a neural network based on billions of images to run demosaicing and denoising at the same time, without compromises between the two.

Demosaicing converts the red, green, blue data for each pixel into an accurate color. Denoising removes incorrect pixels that are created in the file from your camera’s processing heat and interference. These noise pixels are worse when the ISO is high, because the camera sensor must be made more sensitive to detect low light levels. Therefore internal processes interfere more with the image quality.

Usually these processes have to run one then the other, so both simultaneously is cutting-edge. Using AI the DeepPRIME process can combine demoisaicing and denoising, so that neither process undermines the other. By training the model on billions of images, DxO’s DeepPRIME and DeepPRIME XD understand what color and detail should be there.

Comparing colors before and after with DeepPRIME processing in DxO PureRAW³

You can see this rich understanding of color in this image. I used DeepPRIME (not XD) for this one. You can see the noise reduction here too, but look the color I get when I edit the photo in my usual style (and correct the underexposure).

The colors are significantly richer, more vibrant, more contrasty, and more aesthetically pleasing in the DxO processed version, after editing. It has done a great job with the color information as well as reducing noise and preserving detail.

Reducing noise with DxO PureRAW³ in close-up portrait images

In this comparison I’ve taken a tight close-up to compare the results. Again, the noise reduction is impressive: Much better texture, smooth areas where they should be smooth, and excellent preservation of detail. The color translation is spot on too and again I prefer the richness of the DxO PureRAW³ version when edited.

DxO PureRAW³ DeepPRIME and DeepPRIME XD technology is seriously impressive

The DeepPRIME processor genuinely makes these crop-sensor images (taken with my Canon EOS 7D Mark II) look like they were taken on a full-sensor camera. The color richness, detail where it should be and smoothness instead of noise is impressive.

For $129 for the plugin and stand-alone software, it’s well worth the investment to reduce noise with DxO PureRAW³. I mean, you can’t even buy a new lens for that kind of money, and this makes your photos feel like you’ve got a whole new kit in your pocket.