View source for DxO Labs

{{short description|French photography software company}}
{{Infobox company
| name                = DxO Labs SAS
| logo                = DxO_Labs_Corporate_logo.svg
| logo_caption        =
| logo_upright        = <!-- default: 1 -->
| logo_alt            =
| type                = [[Private company|Private]]
| industry            = [[Software]]
| predecessor         = DO Labs
| founded             = {{Start date and age|2003|01|14}} in [[Paris]], France
| founder             = {{Unbulleted list|Jérôme Ménière<br />([[Owner]] & [[CEO]])}}
| defunct             = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| fate                =
| successor           = <!-- or:  successors = -->
| hq_location_city    = Paris
| hq_location_country = France
| area_served         = Worldwide
| key_people          =
| products            = {{hlist|[[DxO PhotoLab]] | [[DxO ViewPoint]] | [[DxO PureRAW]] | [[DxO FilmPack]] | [[Nik Collection]] }}
| owner               = <!-- or: owners = -->
| num_employees       = 89
| num_employees_year  = 2021
| parent              =
| website             = {{official URL}}
}}
'''DxO Labs''' (formerly DO Labs) is a privately owned photography software company. It was founded in 2003 by Jérôme Ménière,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infogreffe.com/entreprise-societe/444777577-dxo-labs-920103B01378.html |title=DXO LABS  |last= |first= |date=17 March 2003 |website=Infogreffe |publisher=Registry at the Commercial Court of NANTERRE |access-date=14 March 2023 |quote=Registered office 3 RUE NATIONALE, 92100 BOULOGNE-BILLANCOURT }}</ref> former CEO of Vision-IQ.<ref>{{Cite news| edition = Europe| issn = 0921-9986| pages = 26| last = Borzo| first = Jeanette| title = Business Innovation Awards (A Special Report): Silver --- Poseidon Technologies Makes a Big Splash With Swimming Pool Monitoring System --- Computer System Saves Life of Drowning Teen --- In Big Pools, Lifeguards Can't Do It All| work = Wall Street Journal| location = Brussels| date = 2001-11-26}}</ref> The company's headquarters are in [[Paris]], [[France]].
==History==
Originally organized as a business unit of Vision IQ, a French software company founded in 1995 that specialized in computer vision, DO Labs was spun off to become an independent company after raising 7.3 million Euros of financing in venture capital.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=DO Labs |date=12 June 2004 |access-date=23 November 2023 |title=About DO Labs |url=http://www.dxo.com/corporate/overview.htm |archive-date=12 June 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040612060629/http://www.dxo.com/corporate/overview.htm |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>
When DO Labs released DxO Optics Pro in 2004, which became DxO PhotoLab in 2017,<ref>{{cite web| last= Lebracherie| first= Renaud| title = DxO OpticsPro devient PhotoLab et gère (enfin) la retouche locale| access-date = 12 April 2023| date = 25 October 2017| url = https://www.lesnumeriques.com/appli-logiciel/dxo-photolab-p48911/dxo-opticspro-devient-photolab-et-gere-enfin-la-retouche-locale-pu121579.html | language=french}}</ref> it was the first product on the market to offer a way to correct photographic issues caused by camera-body electronics and lens optics without human intervention.<ref>{{cite web| title = DxO Optics Pro software | date = December 2009 | last= Rockwell | first= Ken | website = Ken Rockwell| access-date = 12 May 2023| url = https://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/dxo/optics-pro.htm}}</ref> These automated corrections, based on mathematical models of the physical characteristics of camera bodies and lenses as well as on the metadata ([[Exif]]) captured with each image, meant no human variables were involved.<ref>{{cite journal| volume = 33| issue = 4| pages = 92–97| last = Havlik| first = Dan| title = PRODUCT REVIEWS| periodical = Photo District News| date = April 2013| quote = this program fine tunes each individual RAW image to a precise set of algorithms to produce photos that look fantastic even before they're edited.}}</ref>
In 2005, following the [[OpenRAW]]<ref>{{cite web |title = Press Release #1 |website = OpenRAW |date = 25 April 2005 |access-date = 12 May 2023 |url = http://www.openraw.org/press/release1/index.html |archive-date = 2 April 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120402000822/http://www.openraw.org/press/release1/index.html |url-status = dead }}</ref> campaign to simplify the interoperability of capture formats, [[raw image format|RAW]] file support was introduced into DxO's products and subsequent releases featured additional automatic image enhancement technologies developed specifically for RAW files.
In 2006 [[Carl Zeiss]] Sports Optics partnered with DxO Labs on the Eyepiece DC 4 digital camera, which uses DxO's Image Signal Processing ([[Image processor|ISP]]) technology.<ref>{{cite web |title = Zeiss / DxO in Digi Deal |website = Digital Imaging Reporter |date = 27 September 2006 |access-date = 2 August 2024 |url = https://direporter.com/uncategorized/zeiss-dxo-digi-deal-37499 }}</ref>
Between 2006 and 2016, DxO Optics Pro won three EISA<ref name="eisa">{{cite web |title = History | website = Expert Imaging and Sound Awards| access-date = 19 April 2023| url = https://eisa.eu/history/}}</ref> and two TIPA industry awards.
In 2007 DxO began producing Embedded Imaging devices for [[camera phones]].<ref name="ipe">{{cite web|publisher=Wireless News | date=26 December 2007| access-date=23 November 2023 | title=DxO Labs Rolls Out DxO IPE| url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/210128228| id={{ProQuest|210128228}}}}</ref> However, by 2016 the product line had been divested, with most of the development team leaving for camera maker [[GoPro]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lesechos.fr/2016/07/gopro-renforce-ses-equipes-de-rd-en-france-213991 |title=GoPro renforce ses équipes de R&D en France |last=Dumoulin |first=Sébastien |date=11 July 2016 |website=Les Echos |publisher= |access-date=26 March 2023 |quote=Depuis 18 mois, GoPro a racheté deux start-up françaises, Stupeflix et Kolor, et recruté une trentaine de personnes chez une autre jeune pousse spécialisée dans le traitement photo, DXO. |language=French}}</ref>
In 2008 DxO Labs created [[DxOMark|DxOMark.com]], to publish image quality ratings for standalone cameras, lenses, and mobile devices that include cameras.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dxomark.com/About/What-is-DxOMark|title=What is DxOMark? |access-date=2016-08-23|archive-date=2016-08-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160825155550/http://www.dxomark.com/About/What-is-DxOMark|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In 2010 version 5 of Adobe's Creative Suite signalled direct competition with DxO products by shipping with its own lens profiles for the first time.<ref>{{cite journal| title = Drury's Digital Diary | journal= PSA Journal| volume=76|issue=7|last=Drury|first=Fred|date = July 2010|quote=In CS5, Adobe has taken a step towards the type of profile driven correction, which is characteristic of the DXO product. DXO offers specific camera body/lens combination profiles, which can be used to correct optical limitations.}}</ref> In 2013 [[Capture One]]<ref>{{cite web| title = Release notes | website = Capture One Pro| access-date = 12 May 2023| url = https://support.captureone.com/hc/en-us/articles/360003741818-Capture-One-3-7-9-9-3-Release-Notes| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221206001650/https://support.captureone.com/hc/en-us/articles/360003741818-Capture-One-3-7-9-9-3-Release-Notes| archive-date = 2022-12-06}}</ref> also started offering automatic correction tools similar to those developed by DxO.
In 2017 DxOMark became an independent company, DxOMark Image Labs.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dxomark.com/terms-and-conditions/|title=DxOMark Conditions of Use - DxOMark|work=DxOMark|access-date=2017-10-26|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dpreview.com/news/3776732295/dxomark-splits-from-dxo-labs-is-now-an-independent-privately-owned-company|title=DxOMark splits from DxO Labs, is now an independent privately-owned company|work=DPReview|access-date=2018-03-07|date=8 January 2018|last=Hillen|first=Brittany}}</ref> On October 25, 2017, DxO announced the acquisition of the [[Nik Software|Nik Collection]] assets from Google.<ref name="nikfromgoogle">{{cite web | url=https://nikcollection.dxo.com/ | title= DxO acquires Nik Collection assets from Google | publisher= DxO Labs | date=25 October 2017}}</ref>
In early 2018 the company entered bankruptcy<ref name="rip">{{cite web |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/photography/dxo-one-discontinued/ |title=R.I.P., DxO One: The iPhone add-on camera won't survive DxO's bankruptcy  |access-date=10 February 2023|date=6 June 2018|last=Grigonis |first=Hillary |language=en|website=Digital Trends}}</ref> and shut down the part of the business that had been producing the [[DxO ONE]]. Since 2018 DxO has focussed wholly on developing software and has subsequently won six [[Technical Image Press Association|TIPA]] awards,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tipa.com/search-results/?wpv_view_count=3062&wpv-wpcf-main-group=&wpv-wpcf-year=&wpv-wpcf-manufacturer-search=Nik+Software&wpv_filter_submit=Search |title=TIPA World Awards Archive |access-date=26 March 2023}}</ref> including Best imaging software for professionals in 2023.
In 2020 Nik Collection won the [[Expert Imaging and Sound Association|EISA]] award for Best Photo Editing Software.<ref name="eisa" />
==Products==
DxO Labs currently markets the following image processing software packages.
* DxO PhotoLab: First released as DxO Optics Pro in 2004,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/dxo/optics-pro.htm |title=DxO Optics Pro Software |accessdate=June 18, 2013|website=Ken Rockwell|last=Rockwell|first=Ken|date=December 2009}}</ref> [[DxO PhotoLab]] is digital image editing software package designed for photographers who shoot RAW.<ref>{{cite book |last=Story |first=Derrick |author-link= |date=2018 |title=The Apple Photos Book for Photographers: Building Your Digital Darkroom with Photos and Its Powerful Editing Extensions. |url= |location= |publisher=Rocky Nook, Inc. |page= |isbn=}}</ref> It offers automatic corrections for [[optical aberration]]s and [[image distortion]]s for popular camera-lens combinations,<ref>Grossman, Debbie "Review: DxO Optics Pro: Optical Illusion: Do you really need a pricey DSLR lens? This $127 software says you don't." pp 66-67. ''Popular Photography & Imaging'', Volume 68 Number 9; September 2004. ISSN 1542-0337.</ref> as well as a range of other tools. [[File:Dunmow Cricket Club 1st XI, Essex, England (1) Ilford FP4 Plus 125.jpg|thumb|right|Ilford FP4 Plus 125 emulation using ''DXO Filmpack 5 Elite'']]
* DxO PureRAW: Launched in 2021<ref>{{Cite news| issue = 224| pages = 96| last = <!--Not stated-->| title = DxO PureRAW| work = iCreate| date = May 2021}}</ref>  ''DxO PureRAW'' is essentially the RAW conversion engine developed for Optics Pro and PhotoLab. It is designed to remove noise, chromatic aberrations, vignetting, distortion, and lens softness to improve the overall quality of a single image or batch of photographs prior to editing in another program.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fstoppers.com/reviews/dxo-pureraw-just-might-be-best-way-start-your-editing-558027 |title=DxO PureRAW Just Might Be the Best Way to Start Your Editing |accessdate=January 31, 2024|website=Fstoppers|last=Martin|first=Mel|date=April 14, 2021}}</ref>
* [[DxO ViewPoint]] allows the user to correct [[anamorphosis]], perspective, deformities, and lens distortions, especially those caused by shooting with wide-angle lenses.<ref>{{Cite web|title = DxO ViewPoint|url = https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2420248,00.asp|website = PCMAG|accessdate = 2015-11-08|last=Muchmore|first=Michael|date=10 November 2022}}</ref>
* DxO FilmPack emulates the appearance of various conventional films digitally.<ref>{{Cite news| title = DxO FilmPack 6: Accurately Rendering the Soul of Analog Photography: This latest version introduces new films, cinematographic renderings, and Fujifilm in addition to support for X-Trans RAW files (Beta). It features a wide array of new effects as well as Time Machine, a unique and interactive introduction to the history of film photography.| work = PR Newswire| location = New York| date = 20 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author1=Debbie Grossman |author2=Jonathan Barkey |title=Editor's Choice 2007: Imaging Software |url=http://www.popphoto.com/photosoftware/1110/review-dxo-optics-pro.html |publisher=[[Popular Photography]] |accessdate=4 August 2014 |date=December 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705181435/http://www.popphoto.com/photosoftware/1110/review-dxo-optics-pro.html |archivedate=July 5, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ashbrook |first1=Brad |date=March 2014 |title=FilmPack4 |url= |journal=PSA Journal |volume=80 |issue=3 |pages=6 |doi= |access-date=}}</ref> Endorsed by photographer [[:fr:Sebastião Salgado|Sebastião Salgado]] in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Kevin Purcell |title=DxO Film Pack for Free, and Salgado's Method |website=The Online Photographer |accessdate=31 January 2024 |date=September 21, 2013 | url=https://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/2013/09/dxo-film-pack-and-salgados-method.html}}</ref> By digitizing film stocks DxO offers looks that match those of bygone positive and negative chemical processes. Modern revival films and specific digital looks are also offered.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/reviews/dxo-filmpack-7-review | date=10 October 2023 | language=en | access-date=3 May 2024 | title=DxO FilmPack 7 review | last=Cairns| first=George | website=Digital Camera World}}</ref>
* [[Nik Collection]] is a collection of 8 plugins and applications compatible with [[Adobe Lightroom]] and [[Adobe Photoshop]].<ref>{{Cite news| last = Nikitas| first = Theano| title = New: DxO Nik Collection 3, Profoto Lighting Tools & More| work = Rangefinder | date = 12 June 2020}}</ref> DxO acquired Nik Collection from [[Google]] on October 25, 2017,<ref name="nikfromgoogle"/> who in turn had acquired it from [[Nik Software]] in 2012. Nik Collection was first released as a DxO product in 2018.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://download-center.dxo.com/Press/Press-Release/Nik-Collection/Immediate-Release/Nik-Collection-2018-DxO-PhotoLab-1-2-Press-Release-EN.pdf | title= With the Nik Collection 2018 by DxO and DxO PhotoLab 1.2, DxO continues to develop innovative solutions for photographers and creative professionals | publisher= DxO Labs | date= 6 June 2018 | access-date= 21 June 2018 | archive-date= 21 June 2018 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180621143845/https://download-center.dxo.com/Press/Press-Release/Nik-Collection/Immediate-Release/Nik-Collection-2018-DxO-PhotoLab-1-2-Press-Release-EN.pdf | url-status= dead }}</ref>
=== Discontinued Products ===
* ''DxO Analyzer'' was a suite of software tools<ref>{{Cite web|title = DxO Analyzer 5 | website=PhotographyBLOG|url = http://www.photographyblog.com/news/dxo_analyzer_5/|accessdate = 2015-11-11| date=19 October 2012|last=Arva-Toth|first=Zoltan}}</ref> and equipment to test sensors, lenses, and standalone cameras, as well as mobile devices with cameras.<ref>{{Cite web|date=30 October 2012|title = Lens Reviews Explained|url = http://www.dpreview.com/articles/3135549652/lens-reviews-explained/8|website = dpreview.com|accessdate = 2015-11-08 |last=Westlake|first=Andrew}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = Popular Photography: How We Test|url = https://www.popphoto.com/how-we-test-photo-gear|website = Popular Photography|accessdate = 2015-11-08|last=Ryan|first=Philip|date=2 Feb 2013}}</ref> Originally introduced by DxO Labs, DxO Analyzer is now a product of [[DxOMark]] Image Labs.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dpreview.com/news/3776732295/dxomark-splits-from-dxo-labs-is-now-an-independent-privately-owned-company|title=DxOMark splits from DxO Labs, is now an independent privately-owned company|work=DPReview|access-date=2018-03-09|last=Hillen|first=Brittany}}</ref>
*''Embedded imaging'': in 2006 DxO raised 10.6m Euros to fund the development of Embedded Imaging devices for [[camera phones]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lesechos.fr/2006/03/il-met-les-maths-au-service-de-limage-1069272 | title= Il met les maths au service de l'image; Ingénieur, banquier puis créateur d'entreprises, Jérôme Ménière a fondé Vision IQ et DxO Labs| last=N'Kaoua | first=Laurance | language=french | date=1 March 2006 | access-date=23 November 2023 | publisher=Les Echos}}</ref> The resulting range of devices was released in 2007.<ref name="ipe" /> However, production had ceased by 2016.
*The [[DxO ONE]] was a phone-connected-camera.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Lori Grunin|title=DxO One adds a new twist to the iPhone-connected camera|url=http://www.cnet.com/au/products/dxo-one/|accessdate=2 August 2015|work=CNET|date=18 June 2015}}</ref> It was a small 20-megapixel, 1-inch-sensor, {{f/}}1.8 camera which plugs into a Lightning connector of an iPhone or iPad and uses the display to frame and shoot an image. The camera was discontinued in 2018.<ref name="rip"></ref>
* ''DxO Optics Pro'' was the first consumer product launched under the DxO banner by the then DO Labs in 2004. After 11 major releases it was superseded by DxO PhotoLab in 2017, the first DxO product to ship with the U Point technology that had been acquired from the purchase of Nik Collection from Google. However, users henceforth would have to buy both DxO FilmPack and DxO ViewPoint in order to keep the film renderings and perspective corrections that were integral to Optics Pro.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.photographyblog.com/news/dxo_optics_pro_renamed_dxo_photo_lab |title=DxO Optics Pro Renamed DxO PhotoLab |last=Arva-Toth  |first=Zoltan |date=25 October 2017 |website=Photography Blog |access-date=26 February 2024}}</ref>
=== Main technologies ===
[[File:DxO Wide Gamut.webp|400px|thumb|right|alt=DxO Wide Gamut|DxO Wide Gamut]]
DxO has developed a number of original technologies to underpin the features of current and past products, such as:<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbTp6X4SXVg|title=DxO Photolab 7 Elite edition - InDepth Review - The Best RAW Editor of them All? |language=en |people=Andy Hutchinson |date=November 12, 2023 |medium=Youtube }}</ref>
*Optics Modules - camera body and lens correction modules:<ref>{{cite journal| language = English | title = Drury's digital diary | periodical = PSA Journal| volume=76|number=7|last=Drury|first=Fred|date = July 2010|quote=In CS5, Adobe has taken a step towards the type of profile driven correction, which is characteristic of the DXO product. DXO offers specific camera body/lens combination profiles, which can be used to correct optical limitations.}}</ref> originally called "Lens Correction Modules".<ref>{{cite journal|periodical = Advanced Imaging|language= English| first= Hank| last= Russell| title = Through the looking glass| date= January 2005 |pages=37–39 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|periodical = Digital Camera Magazine|language=English| title = DxO Optics Modules: Upgraded with new Leica, Pentax and Sigma cameras.| date= May 2023 |page=89|issn=1477-1721 }}</ref>
*DeepPRIME - a denoising and demosaicing engine trained by [[Artificial Intelligence|AI]]:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lesnumeriques.com/accessoire-photo/dxo-pureraw-3-of-the-interest-and-limits-of-deepprime-xd-at-tres-hauts-iso-n208071.html | date=March 16, 2023 | language=French | access-date=January 15, 2024 | title=DxO PureRaw 3: the benefits and limits of DeepPrime XD at very high ISO | last=Royer| first=Louiss | website=Les Numériques}}</ref> in 2024, PureRAW 4 was accompanied by the latest generation of the DeepPRIME engine, known as XD2.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blog.studiosport.fr/nouveautes-dxo-pureraw-4-deepprime-xd2/ | date=March 16, 2023 | language=French | access-date=3 April 2024 | title=DxO PureRAW 4 & DeepPRIME XD2 | last=Melodie | website=Studio Sport}}</ref>
*Smartlighting - a mechanism to use the full dynamic range of the image: resolves most overexposures, lifts shadows while preserving bright areas, and recovers details in clipped areas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tutodxo.com/le-dxo-smart-lighting/ | date=February 4, 2021 | language=en| access-date=9 April 2024 | title=DxO Smart Lighting | last=Pelé| first=Pascal | website=TuTo DxO}}</ref>
*ClearView - a dehazing tool:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tutodxo.com/dxo-clearview/ | date=February 4, 2021 | language=en| access-date=9 April 2024 | title=DxO ClearView | last=Pelé| first=Pascal | website=TuTo DxO}}</ref> intensifies the contrast to remove atmospheric veil and blur.
*U Point - Selection Technology: Acquired when DxO purchased the [[Nik Software|Nik Collection]] from [[Google]]. The basic idea is that you (U), the photographer, 'point at' what to adjust in the photo.<ref>{{cite book|language=English|first1 =Tony|last1=Corbell| first2=Joshua|last2=Haftel|title=Nik software captured: the complete guide to using Nik software's photographic tools|publisher=Wiley|date=2012|isbn=978-1-118-02222-1}}</ref> Selections are based on the attributes of each pixel,<ref>{{cite book|language=English|first=John|last=Batdorff|title=Plug in with Nik software: a photographer's guide to creating dynamic images with Nik software|publisher= Peachpit Press|date=2013|isbn=978-0-321-83977-0}}</ref> such as hue, saturation, brightness, and contrast.<ref>{{cite book|language=English| first=Ben|last=Long|title=Nikon Capture NX 2|publisher=Peachpit Press|date=2009|isbn=978-0-321-55359-1}}</ref> So, masks are created using control points or control lines.<ref>{{cite journal|language=English|first=Dan|last=Havlik|title=Nik Snapseed for iPad|journal=Photo District News|volume=31|issue=9|date=September 2011|pages=90–92}}</ref>
* [[Gamut|Wide Gamut]] – a larger color space for photo editing: the native color of the sensor is converted to a working color to deliver an image that retains the luminance details of the sensor.<ref>{{cite news| website=Chris Wright Photography|last=Wright| first=Chris|title= DxO Wide Gamut Color Space | url= https://chriswright.photography/dxo-wide-gamut-color-space/ | date= February 21, 2023| access-date=May 3, 2024 | language=en}}</ref>
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|www.dxo.com}}
[[Category:DxO Labs]]
[[Category:Digital photography]]
[[Category:Photo software]]
[[Category:Photography companies of France]]
[[Category:Privately held companies of France]]
[[Category:Software companies of France]]