AI-based noise reduction softwares are built on machine learning algorithms trained on large datasets of images to accurately identify and remove noise. This allows them to produce high-quality, noise-free images without sacrificing image detail. Google recently released its NeRF algorithm that could reduce noise using machine learning algorithms and diffusion methods, but it is yet to be implemented by noise reduction software.
Adobe products have been on top of the image manipulation game since the beginning. Most of the new noise-reduction tools are also launched as plugins for Photoshop or Lightroom.
Let’s look at some of the top players in the image noise reduction market:
Adobe Photoshop & Lightroom
Starting with Photoshop, the software initially used to match pixels and remove noise from images which resulted in loss of information and detail from the image. Now with the introduction of AI-based methods, even after reducing noise, a lot of detail has been preserved, enabling high quality of images. Photoshop & Lightroom Camera Raw offers high flexibility and balance between noise and detail. New tools like Topaz Denoise AI and ACR Define can also be integrated as a plugin on the Adobe products, allowing further improvements in the system.
Topaz DeNoise AI
This powerful tool uses artificial intelligence to accurately identify and remove noise from your photos. You can adjust the noise of images using two basic sliders on the panel and also have a special mode for Low-light and High-ISO images. It also has a number of advanced features, such as the ability to recover lost details and reduce color noise with support for RAW and DNG images. The specific algorithms used by Topaz DeNoise AI are proprietary and not publicly available.
Neat Image Pro
Neat Image tool uses advanced algorithms to reduce both luminance and chroma noise, resulting in clear, smooth images. It also has a number of customizable settings, allowing you to fine-tune the noise reduction to your specific needs. The pricing of this software is on the lower side, making it preferable for photographers and editors. Additionally, users can also install extensions on Photoshop that offer the same capabilities as the original software.
DxO PureRAW2
DxO PureRAW2 is an easy-to-use noise reduction tool that can enhance your image with just two or three clicks. This tool is preferred by individuals who are not looking to add detailed changes in the quality of the image as it does not allow much manual control of the image. Though it lacks input settings, the generated image after processing is highly detailed but also very large in size. Also, PureRAW2 does not have a plugin for Photoshop but it is available for Lightroom.
Skylum Luminar Neo
An advanced photo editor, Luminar Neo comes with an advanced tool that uses noise reduction algorithms, resulting in clean and clear images. The editing suite offers other tools such as color grading and sharpening, and luminance setting, making it a great all-in-one solution for noise reduction. Photographers and photo editors consider it as a cheaper alternative to Lightroom that offers almost all the capabilities.
ON1 NoNoise AI
One of the latest tools for reducing noise, ON1 NoNoise AI was initially designed specifically for black and white photographs. The tool can remove both luminance and color noise and is at par with Topaz and PureRAW2. It also has a number of other advanced features, such as the ability to adjust the tonal range of your images and other in-depth image modifying tools, making it an all-round suite for image editing.
Corel PaintShop Pro
Corel’s all-in-one photo editing software has a powerful AI-based noise reduction tool that can remove both luminance and color noise. The tool enables users to adjust brightness and contrast of low-light images while preserving the details of images.
Capture One
This professional-grade image editing software has a powerful noise reduction tool and is arguably more powerful than Lightroom in various aspects. Capture One also includes a slider called “single-pixel“ dedicated to hot pixel reduction. It also has a number of other advanced features, such as the ability to selectively apply noise reduction to specific areas of your images. The software is mostly aimed at high-end photographers because of its pricing.
Noiseware
As the name suggests, the suite of the software is dedicated to noise reduction and it proves to be one of the best at its job. Noiseware has several modes that you can select based on the output you want in your image while also selecting specific points in the image. The contrast and detail preservation ability of Noiseware is unmatched by any other software in the list.
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