Review
ON1 Photo RAW review: a true Lightroom alternative with a lifetime license
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Head to head
DxO PureRAW 4 / PhotoLab 8 vs Sony A7 IV
A direct, no-fluff comparison: specs, pros and cons, pricing, and the scenarios where each one earns its keep.
Spec snapshot
| DxO PureRAW 4 / PhotoLab 8 | Sony A7 IV | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (USD) | $139 | $2499 |
| Our rating | 4.6/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Category | software | cameras |
| Pros | 3 | 4 |
| Cons | 2 | 3 |
The case for each
DxO PureRAW 4 / PhotoLab 8
4.6
Pros
- +Best-in-class RAW noise reduction
- +Measured lens corrections
- +Clean Lightroom round-trip
Cons
- −Slow without a strong GPU
- −No catalog/DAM features
Sony A7 IV
4.7
Pros
- +Class-leading autofocus
- +Excellent 10-bit 4K
- +Fully articulating screen
- +Dual card slots (CFexpress + SD)
Cons
- −4K60 has a 1.5x crop
- −Menu system still busy
- −Battery life dips in heavy video use
Winner by use case
Vlogging & videoSony A7 IV
Low-light photographyDxO PureRAW 4 / PhotoLab 8
Value for moneySony A7 IV
Pro & enterprise useTie
BeginnersTie
Inferred from each camera's pros and review focus. Treat as a starting point, then read the full reviews for nuance.
Common questions
Is the DxO PureRAW 4 / PhotoLab 8 better than the Sony A7 IV?
It depends on what you shoot. DxO PureRAW 4 / PhotoLab 8 scores 4.6/5 in our review, while the Sony A7 IV scores 4.7/5. See the spec table and use-case breakdown above for our verdict.
Which is cheaper, the DxO PureRAW 4 / PhotoLab 8 or the Sony A7 IV?
DxO PureRAW 4 / PhotoLab 8 sells around $139, and Sony A7 IV around $2499. The DxO PureRAW 4 / PhotoLab 8 is the cheaper of the two.
Which one is better for beginners?
Both are capable, but beginners usually do better with whichever has the simpler interface and more forgiving autofocus. Read the "Winner by use case" section above for our specific call.
Should I upgrade from the DxO PureRAW 4 / PhotoLab 8 to the Sony A7 IV?
Only if the gap in features you actually use is wide. If you already own one, the marginal upgrade is rarely worth the cost unless a specific shortcoming is blocking your work.
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