After multiple teasers, Capture One has released the latest iteration of its pro software. The newly-released Capture One 22 offers several useful new, and requested, features including Panorama Stitch, HDR merge, Ai-driven Auto Rotate, improved performance (for Windows, especially) and wireless tethering for Canon cameras. While they’re all welcome additions, we’re especially excited about the latter.

Anyone who has become entangled and/feels limited with their camera physically tied to their computer will really appreciate the freedom provided by wireless tethering. Capture One has conducted tests using 4G and 5G wireless routers, which can bring that freedom to outdoor locations. Check out the Capture One website for wireless router recommendations based on their testing.

[Read: Capture One Pro 21 Updates: The Magic Brush and More]

Capture One 22 fully supports wireless tethering for the Canon EOS R5, 1DxII and 1Dx III, although you’ll get the best results for each with the WFT-R10, WFT-8B and the WFT-E9B grips, respectively. (The grips include WiFi hardware to enhance performance.) Capture One 22 also provides preliminary support for the Canon EOS R, R6, 5D Mark IV and the 90D but, so far, has found that the Canon EOS R5 with the WFT-R10 grip delivers the best possible experience averaging 3-6 seconds from triggering the shutter to the image appearing on the computer monitor; 5-10 seconds without the grip. (Both times were measured shooting RAW.) We’ll have to wait and see if Capture One will eventually support other cameras/brands. That, the company says, will depend on each camera’s wireless capabilities. Also check out Capture One Live—a cloud based sharing option.

Panorama stitching is familiar to all photographers and while it may not be a common part of your workflow, being able to stitch multiple photos together quickly and easily with multi-row stitching is a great addition to any digital toolbox. (If you’ve ever wanted to try the Brenizer method of panorama, this is a good place to start.) Several projection options are available, including spherical, cylindrical, perspective and panini. Not sure which projection is ideal? Once the preview has been cached, just click on each option to see which one works best. The software can handle an unlimited number of files although the longest side of the panorama cannot exceed 65,000 pixels (it’s the limit of the DNG file that the stitching produces). Frankly, that should be more than enough for most photographers. And, from what we’ve seen, the software does an impressive job.

Long gone are the days when HDR means hyper-realistic images and super saturated colors. Performing an HDR Merge, another new feature in Capture One 22, delivers expanded dynamic range. Like Panorama stitching, Capture One makes the process quick and easy, with excellent results. The demo showed great results using a recommended three images: -2, 0, +2 with the idea that “less is more” when using the HDR Merge feature. In addition to Auto Adjust, there’s an auto align option in case you didn’t use a tripod. Interestingly, HDR Merge and Auto Align can reduce image noise (astrophotography was one example).

AI-driven Auto Rotate may sound less than impressive but for those images with slightly askew horizons (or floors or walls), this little feature can save a lot of time. Just one click will even things out—whether or working on a single image or need to correct a batch of photos.

[Read: Capture One Pro 20 Updates: Healing and Cloning Tools]

In case you missed it this past June, Capture One announced on social media that Capture One for iPad was in development with an ETA of early 2022. So, keep an eye out for a formal announcement and availability!

captureone.com

Capture One 22 pricing:

Monthly subscription: $24

Annual subscription: $179

License: $299

Upgrade: $199