Blackmagic Design's DaVinci Resolve 21 introduces a Photo page that transforms the video-centric color grading tool into a legitimate Lightroom competitor. The beta version supports RAW files from Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, and Sony, along with TIFF, JPEG, and HEIF formats. Users can now apply Resolve's professional color grading tools to still images, along with advanced VFX and AI features unavailable in Lightroom.

The pricing presents a compelling alternative to Adobe's subscription model. DaVinci Resolve Studio costs a one-time $295 with free lifetime updates, compared to Adobe's $20 per month Photography subscription. The Photo page includes AI IntelliSearch for content-based photo identification, Albums for organizing images similar to Lightroom Collections, and Studio-exclusive AI effects like CineFocus and Face Age Transformer.

The tool particularly appeals to filmmakers who occasionally edit photos and users already familiar with Resolve's color grading capabilities. However, professional photographers may find the transition painful due to limitations in advanced organization and export features. The export functionality lacks watermarking, content credentials and post-processing options that Lightroom offers. Camera tethering via Capture Live View currently supports only Canon and Sony cameras.

For now, Resolve's Photo page works best for video editors dabbling in photography rather than dedicated photographers who need robust cataloging tools.