LightZone 1.0

Powerful image browser ; true non-destructive editing ; powerful rendering engine eliminates the need to store multiple copies of an image ; excellent blur, sharpen, and saturation tools ; takes up just 10MB of disk space

Lacks important retouching tools ; region selection tools need refinement ; slow performance when multiple regions and modification tools are active ; some important tools are not easily accessible

LightZone 1.0 is an ideal tool for photographers. Photoshop has too many bells and whistles for many photo enthusiasts, who just want to make straightforward adjustments accurately and quickly. If you have a speedy processor and some understanding of...

Simulates analog photographic techniques. Boasts a powerful built-in image browser, and true non-destructive editing. Powerful rendering engine eliminates the need to store multiple copies of an image

Lacks important retouching tools, region selection tools need refinement, and performance is slow when multiple regions and modification tools are active. Some important tools are accessible only through option- and control-click.

RegionMapper tools, a set of selection tools similar to Photoshop's, allow you to mask specific areas of an image. Unfortunately, there is no way to invert a selected region

Simulates analog photographic techniques ; powerful built-in image browser ; true non-destructive editing ; powerful rendering engine eliminates the need to store multiple copies of an image ; excellent blur, sharpen, and saturation tools ; takes up...

Lacks important retouching tools ; region selection tools need refinement ; regions that bleed to the edge of the image area are tricky to select, slow performance when multiple regions and modification tools are active ; some important tools are...

While both programs facilitate photo manipulation, Photoshop features many tools that are better suited to illustrators and designers as opposed to fine-art photographers. LightZone's tools, on the other hand, are exclusively geared toward working with...