Fix blurry high ISO photos: Topaz Photo AI vs Lightroom

Digital noise can ruin your subjects by making them soft and/or blurry.

Effective noise reduction, therefore, becomes a necessity for photographers who wish to preserve fine details in their images, particularly under conditions that are low light and high ISO.

Above, is a video tutorial showcasing Lightroom Denoise AI vs Topa Photo AI where we'll compare results from both.

Which one will preserve the detail better for a more natural realistic result?

Watch above or read below for the answer.

Lightroom vs Topaz Photo AI: Overview

Adobe Lightroom is a well-established tool in photo editing, widely trusted for its range of features that enhance image quality. Its Denoise AI is crafted to reduce noise while keeping as much detail intact as possible.

However, Topaz Photo AI specializes in noise reduction and sharpening, with advanced options for selective adjustments in specific areas.

For example, you can target your edits directly on the subject, background, or both.

Testing Noise Reduction on a High-ISO Hummingbird Image

To illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of each tool, we tested a high-ISO photo of a hummingbird shot at ISO 8000. 

High ISO levels can introduce digital noise, diminishing detail—a common challenge in wildlife and low-light photography.

Initial Edits in Lightroom

Starting with Lightroom, we applied the Denoise AI feature. It effectively reduced noise across the image but softened some fine details.

Adjusting the luminance settings improved sharpness a little bit.

But the resulting image is still very smooth. Which gives it an artificial appearance, especially in the highly detailed areas.
Evaluating Lightroom's Noise Reduction and Detail Preservation

In Lightroom, we optimized noise reduction by removing the digital noise with its built in AI reduction tool.

However, Lightroom's noise reduction usually renders a slight "painterly" effect, where finer details appear smooth or look like plastic.

Using Topaz Photo AI: Noise Reduction and Sharpening Precision

After that, we jumped into Topaz Photo AI to see if it could do a better job at removing digital noise.

Topaz is known for its selective noise reduction and sharpening.

It allows for precise control over specific areas, like enhancing the subject's details while preserving a noise-free background.

Importing the Hummingbird Image into Topaz Photo AI
Using a TIFF file format with 16-bit color depth allowed for smoother color transitions, avoiding color banding that sometimes occurs with compressed file formats like DNG.

Targeted Sharpening and Noise Reduction with Topaz Photo AI

Topaz Photo AI's targeted sharpening and denoising options excelled at isolating specific areas, allowing us to refine details in areas like the hummingbird's feathers while leaving the background untouched.

Topaz offers a more natural result, avoiding the overly smooth finish that Lightroom sometimes introduces.

Comparing Lightroom and Topaz Photo AI: Side-by-Side Results

Lightroom's Results: Smooth Background, Softer Subject

In Lightroom, the noise reduction effectively smoothed the background but softened the hummingbird, resulting in some loss of detail.

While Lightroom's Denoise AI works well for reducing noise, it may not be the ideal choice when lifelike detail is essential.

Topaz Photo AI's Results: Detailed, Lifelike Subject with Natural Texture

Topaz Photo AI preserved more detail in the hummingbird, leaving individual feathers visible while maintaining a smooth background.

This selective approach produced a more realistic look without the "plastic" effect often associated with aggressive noise reduction.

Which is Better for Noise Reduction?

Both Lightroom and Topaz Photo AI have their merits.

Lightroom: Seamless integration with Adobe's ecosystem makes it a convenient all-in-one editing solution, though it can sacrifice some detail with high-ISO images.

Topaz Photo AI: Offers enhanced customization with options to selectively sharpen and reduce noise, providing more natural textures and lifelike results.

For photographers who prioritize detail and realism, Topaz Photo AI seems to deliver superior results.

Lightroom remains a solid choice for those seeking an all-in-one editing solution.

Try Topaz Photo AI for Yourself

I recommend trying Topaz Photo AI for yourself to see the difference firsthand.

Click here to donwload a free trial and test it on your images.

Click here for a complete guide on using Topaz Photo AI, like a pro.