DaVinci Resolve 21 Photo Tools: Not a Lightroom Killer Yet
Blackmagic's DaVinci Resolve 21 beta introduces a "Photos" tab for importing, organizing, and processing raw files from Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, and Apple, plus Adobe DNGs. However, Panasonic Lumix and OM System files are not supported. Lens correction profiles are inconsistently applied: Sony files with Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art II corrected properly, but Canon R5 II files with RF 14mm f/1.4 did not. The free version restricts exports to 4K (about 8 megapixels), confirmed by Blackmagic. Tethering for Sony and Canon, AI color/masking tools, and GPU-accelerated exports are Studio-only. Despite powerful color grading tools from the Color tab, the author concludes Resolve is not a replacement for Lightroom or Capture One due to export limits, raw format gaps, and learning curve. However, for video editors combining photos and video, the update offers a unified workflow.
Key facts
- DaVinci Resolve 21 beta adds a Photos tab for raw file editing.
- Supports Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Apple, and Adobe DNG raw files.
- Panasonic Lumix and OM System raw files are not supported.
- Lens correction profiles applied inconsistently across camera brands.
- Free version exports limited to 4K resolution (approx. 8 megapixels).
- Tethering, AI tools, and GPU acceleration require paid Studio version.
- Color tab tools (nodes, masking, selective edits) apply to photos.
- Author says Resolve is not a Lightroom/Capture One replacement yet.
Entities
Artists
- Jeremy Gray
Institutions
- Blackmagic
- DaVinci Resolve
- PetaPixel
- Lightroom
- Capture One
- Affinity
- Canon
- Nikon
- Sony
- Fujifilm
- Apple
- Adobe
- Panasonic Lumix
- OM System
- Sigma