Affinity Photo 2 review

With unique new features alongside an interface overhaul, Serif Affinity Photo 2 proves that budget software doesn’t have to mean compromise – or a monthly subscription

Affinity Photo 2
(Image: © James Abbott)

Digital Camera World Verdict

There’s no denying that Affinity Photo has long been the best Photoshop alternative available, and Affinity Photo 2 is Serif’s most impressive version of the software to date. The new features, in some cases, are remarkable, despite a useful image browser/cataloging for Raw files remaining absent. But if you’re looking for a highly capable Adobe alternative with an incredibly good value perpetual license to boot, then look no further than Affinity Photo 2.

Pros

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    Perpetual license

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    Excellent value for money

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    Non-Destructive Raw impressive

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    Professional-level editing capabilities

Cons

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    Many new features design-based

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    No image cataloging/image browser

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    Could be too complex for beginners

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Who would have thought that photo editing software released as a Mac-only version in 2015 could take on the software behemoth Adobe? Well, that’s exactly what Serif has achieved with its Affinity products, where Affinity Photo has undoubtedly become Adobe Photoshop’s main rival. And with some revolutionary new features alongside an inexpensive perpetual license, the latest Affinity Photo 2 provides an even more compelling alternative to the market leader’s subscription-based photo editing software.

Affinity Photo 2 is pixel-based photo editing software available for Mac, Windows, and iPad, and it offers most of the functionality of Photoshop CC alongside its own unique features. The software uses a single interface split into ‘Personas’ that are used for performing specific editing tasks, such as Raw processing or image adjustments/manipulation, etc. It’s highly capable, and indeed powerful software, that’s only let down by the lack of Raw image cataloging or some kind of image browser for viewing and managing images.

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James Abbott

James Abbott is a landscape and portrait photographer based in Cambridge. He’s also an experienced photography journalist specializing in camera skills and Photoshop techniques. He is also a CAA-approved drone pilot and professional aerial photographer.