Table of Contents
As a professional photographer and Mac software expert, I‘ve had the pleasure of using the Nik Collection plugins for over a decade. From its early days as a Google acquisition to its current iteration under DxO‘s stewardship, the Nik Collection has consistently been one of the most powerful and versatile tools in my editing arsenal.
With the recent release of Nik Collection 5, I was eager to put the latest version through its paces and see how it stacks up against the competition. In this in-depth review, I‘ll share my honest thoughts on everything from the new features and performance upgrades to the pricing model and overall value proposition.
Whether you‘re a die-hard Nik devotee or just considering adding these plugins to your workflow for the first time, my goal is to give you all the information you need to make an informed decision. As an Apple Mac user myself, I‘ll also provide some specific insights on how well the Nik Collection integrates with macOS and popular Mac photo editors.
What‘s New in Nik Collection 5?
While the jump from version 4 to 5 isn‘t a massive overhaul, there are still some notable improvements and additions. Here are the key changes in Nik Collection 5:
-
Meta Presets: DxO has introduced 25 new "Meta Presets" that combine the best features and effects from multiple plugins into cohesive, one-click fixes. These are great for quickly achieving professional results without fiddling with individual settings.
-
Perspective Efex 2: The Perspective Efex plugin has been rebuilt from the ground up with a new interface and improved automatic corrections. It‘s now even easier to fix converging verticals and other perspective distortions.
-
Improved Viveza: Viveza 3 features an updated Control Point system that‘s more intuitive and streamlined. You can now fine-tune selections with even greater precision.
-
New Analog Efex Cameras: Analog Efex has been expanded with 10 new analog camera simulations, bringing the total to over 200 classic and creative looks.
-
M1 Mac Support: For Apple silicon Mac users, Nik Collection 5 now runs natively on M1 systems for a smoother, snappier experience (more on performance in a bit).
System Requirements and Specifications
Before we dive into the individual plugins, let‘s quickly cover the technical requirements for running Nik Collection 5 on a Mac:
- macOS: 10.14.6 (Mojave) or later
- Processor: Intel Core i5 or higher / Apple Silicon M1
- RAM: 8 GB minimum (16 GB recommended)
- Disk Space: 2.5 GB free space required
- Graphics Card: 512 MB VRAM minimum (2 GB recommended)
- Supported Photo Editors: Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, and DxO PhotoLab (all sold separately)
It‘s important to note that while the Nik Collection plugins can run as standalone apps, they‘re primarily designed to integrate with a compatible host application. For most users, this will be either Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom Classic.
If you‘re not already invested in the Adobe ecosystem, you‘ll need to factor in the additional cost of a subscription. More on that later when we discuss pricing and value.
Plugin Breakdown and Performance
Now let‘s take a closer look at each of the eight plugins included in the Nik Collection 5 and how they perform on a Mac.
Analog Efex Pro 3
Analog Efex Pro 3 is a fantastic tool for giving your digital photos a vintage film look. With over 200 presets simulating classic cameras, lenses, and films, you can easily recreate the imperfect charm of analog photography.
I particularly love the new "Motion Blur" and "Lens Distortion" controls for adding realistic movement and warped perspectives. The improved nondestructive workflow also makes it easy to experiment with different looks without losing quality.
Performance on Mac: In my testing on a 2020 M1 MacBook Air, Analog Efex Pro 3 applied most presets in under 1 second, even to 45MP RAW images. The only exception was the "Wet Plate" effect, which took around 3 seconds due to its more complex simulation. Overall, very snappy performance.
Color Efex Pro 5
Color Efex Pro 5 is a comprehensive toolkit for color correction, creative styling, and finishing. With over 55 filters and hundreds of presets, it can handle just about any color-related task you throw at it.
The new "Color Replacement" filter is a nice addition for quickly swapping out hues without tedious masking. And the classic "Pro Contrast" filter remains one of my all-time favorite tools for instant image pop.
Performance on Mac: Color Efex Pro 5 continued to impress with its lightning-fast performance on my Mac. Most filters and adjustments were applied in real-time, even when working with multiple filters stacked together. The only slowdown I noticed was with the "Bi-Color" filter on large images, but even then it was only a 1-2 second delay.
Dfine 2
Dfine 2 is a dedicated noise reduction tool for cleaning up grainy or speckled images. While it may not have the AI-powered features of some newer competitors like Topaz DeNoise AI, it still delivers excellent results with a simple, intuitive interface.
I appreciate the built-in batch processing mode, which makes quick work of fixing noise on a whole photo shoot. And the "Auto Correction" does a decent job of automatically detecting and removing noise in most cases.
Performance on Mac: Dfine 2 was the only plugin where I noticed a bit of lag on my M1 Mac, particularly when applying noise reduction to very high ISO images. It wasn‘t deal-breaking by any means, but it did take a few seconds longer than I would have liked. Hopefully DxO can further optimize Dfine for Apple silicon in a future update.
HDR Efex Pro 2
HDR Efex Pro 2 is a powerful tool for creating natural or stylized HDR images. Whether you‘re working with a single exposure or merging multiple bracketed shots, it offers an impressive level of control over the HDR look.
The new "Depth and Detail" sliders make it easy to add or subtract local contrast without going overboard. And the improved ghost reduction is a welcome addition for handheld HDR shots.
Performance on Mac: HDR Efex Pro 2 performed very well on my Mac, even when merging multiple 45MP images. The alignment and ghost removal processing took around 10-15 seconds, which is pretty typical for HDR software. Once the merged HDR image was loaded, adjusting the various settings was quick and responsive.
Perspective Efex 2
Perspective Efex 2 is an upgraded version of DxO‘s standalone perspective correction app. It‘s great for fixing all kinds of perspective distortions, from converging verticals to warped horizons.
The new automatic corrections are impressive, often nailing the adjustments in a single click. And the ability to draw custom guides for more precise corrections is a nice touch.
Performance on Mac: Perspective Efex 2 was blisteringly fast on my M1 Mac, applying most automatic corrections instantly. The manual correction process was also very responsive, with no lag or delays when drawing and adjusting guides. Overall, a smooth and speedy experience.
Silver Efex Pro 3
Silver Efex Pro 3 is the gold standard for black and white conversions, and it‘s easy to see why. With over 65 presets and a dizzying array of controls, it offers an unparalleled level of creative flexibility.
The new "ClearView" tool is a standout addition, helping to cut through haze and boost contrast in a natural, pleasing way. And the improved "Selective Color" tool makes it easy to preserve or enhance specific hues for more striking results.
Performance on Mac: Silver Efex Pro 3 continued the trend of excellent performance on my Mac, with near-instant preset previews and real-time adjustments. Even with multiple control points and filters applied, I didn‘t notice any significant slowdowns or delays.
Sharpener Pro 3
Sharpener Pro 3 is a comprehensive sharpening tool for optimizing image detail and clarity. With separate modules for RAW pre-sharpening and output sharpening, it covers all the bases.
The new "Progressive Sharpening" feature is a nice addition, helping to avoid oversharpening and halos. And the improved "Selective Sharpening" brush makes it easy to target specific areas for maximum impact.
Performance on Mac: Sharpener Pro 3 was another speed demon on my Mac, with instant preview updates and snappy performance even on large images. The only time I noticed a slight delay was when applying selective sharpening to very complex areas, but it was still quite responsive overall.
Viveza 3
Last but certainly not least is Viveza 3, a selective color and tonal adjustment tool. While it may seem redundant with Color Efex Pro at first, Viveza‘s unique control point system sets it apart.
The improved control points in Viveza 3 are even more precise and intuitive, making it a breeze to target specific areas for adjustment. And the new "Dodge & Burn" filter is a welcome addition for more creative tonal control.
Performance on Mac: Viveza 3 was buttery smooth on my Mac, with instant preview updates and no lag when placing or adjusting control points. Even with a dozen or more control points active, performance remained snappy and responsive.
Pricing and Value
Now that we‘ve covered the features and performance of each plugin, let‘s talk about the elephant in the room: price.
The Nik Collection 5 costs $149 for a perpetual license, which includes all eight plugins and access to any future updates or bug fixes. If you already own a previous version of the Nik Collection, you can upgrade for $79.
At first glance, that may seem steep compared to some subscription-based alternatives. For example, the Adobe Photography Plan (which includes Photoshop and Lightroom) starts at just $9.99 per month.
However, there are a few key factors to consider:
-
The Nik Collection is a one-time purchase, not a recurring subscription. Once you buy it, you own it forever.
-
The Nik Collection is designed to work with your existing photo editing software, not replace it entirely. If you already own Photoshop or Lightroom, it‘s a relatively affordable way to extend their capabilities.
-
The Nik Collection offers a unique set of tools and workflows that you won‘t find in other editing software. For many photographers, the time savings and creative flexibility are well worth the upfront cost.
To put the price in perspective, here‘s a quick comparison of some popular photo editing plugins and their costs:
| Plugin | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Nik Collection 5 | $149 |
| Luminar AI | $79 |
| Topaz Labs Suite | $447 |
| ON1 Professional Plugin Bundle | $150 |
As you can see, the Nik Collection is priced competitively with other professional-grade plugin suites. And when you consider the regular updates and new features that DxO has added over the years, it starts to look like a pretty good deal.
Of course, value is subjective and will depend on your specific needs and budget. If you‘re a casual photographer who only edits a handful of images per month, the Nik Collection might be overkill. But for serious enthusiasts and professionals who want to take their editing to the next level, it‘s definitely worth considering.
Final Thoughts
As a long-time fan of the Nik Collection, I‘m happy to report that version 5 is the best yet. The new features and performance improvements make an already great set of tools even better, and the M1 Mac support is a welcome addition for Apple users.
While the upfront cost may be a barrier for some, I believe the Nik Collection offers excellent value for photographers who want to streamline their editing workflow and achieve professional-grade results. The one-click presets are a huge time-saver, and the advanced controls offer endless creative possibilities.
If you‘re on the fence, I highly recommend downloading the free 30-day trial and taking the Nik Collection 5 for a spin. Play around with the different plugins, experiment with the presets, and see how it fits into your editing process. I think you‘ll be impressed by the speed, flexibility, and sheer creative power that the Nik Collection brings to the table.
At the end of the day, the right photo editing software is the one that helps you achieve your creative vision in the most efficient and enjoyable way possible. For me, the Nik Collection 5 ticks all those boxes and then some. It‘s an essential part of my workflow, and I can‘t imagine editing without it.
4.75/5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Highly Recommended for Serious Photographers and Creative Professionals
