Blackmagic Design Adds RAW Photo Editing to DaVinci Resolve 21, Challenging Adobe Lightroom

Blackmagic Design has just rolled out DaVinci Resolve 21, which now includes features for editing and organizing RAW photos alongside its renowned color grading capabilities. The beta version can handle native RAW formats from several brands, such as Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Sony, and Apple iPhone ProRAW, with a full launch expected later this year. Bob Caniglia, the North American Sales Operations Director, mentioned that this update was shaped by feedback from users wanting better access to Resolve’s color science. The new Photo page has tools for importing, creating albums, exporting, and batch editing, while the Color page offers advanced grading options. However, it doesn’t currently support RAW files from brands like Panasonic and Leica and can be tricky to learn. Jarrad Henderson, an Emmy-winning visual journalist and Michigan State University professor, pointed out some drawbacks like missing metadata and a complicated interface. There's a free version with basic tools, while the $295 Studio version offers advanced features like AI masking. Blackmagic Design is targeting hybrid creators and professionals looking for superior color editing capabilities.