Blackmagic adds photo page to DaVinci Resolve 21, challenging Lightroom

At a glance:

• DaVinci Resolve 21 beta introduces a dedicated Photo page for still‑image editing
• Native RAW support for Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon and Sony cameras, plus node‑based grading
• New AI video tools include Face Age Transformer, Face Reshaper, UltraSharpen and Motion Deblur

New photo workflow in Resolve 21

Blackmagic Design unveiled DaVinci Resolve 21 at NAB 2026, and the headline feature is the brand‑new Photo page. While Resolve has always let users treat photos as video clips, the Photo page streamlines the process: you can import, organize and edit still images directly, without dragging them onto a timeline. Supported RAW formats include files from Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon and Sony cameras, and the import UI mirrors the simplicity of a dedicated photo manager.

The editing engine remains the node‑based Color page that Resolve users know from video work. Primary color correction, curves, qualifiers, power windows, noise reduction and sharpening are all available. Because nodes can be linked in series or parallel, photographers can build complex grades and then save those node trees as presets to apply across an entire album. The LightBox view shows a full collection with live grades, and filters let you sort by graded status, star rating, flag or clip color.

Tethered capture and integration with other pages

For professional shooters, Resolve now offers camera control panels that tether a Sony or Canon DSLR/mirrorless body. Settings such as ISO, exposure and white balance can be adjusted from within Resolve, and capture presets can lock a consistent look before a client shoot. Albums created in the Photo page appear as timelines in the Cut, Edit and Color pages, making it easy to switch between stills and video without leaving the project.

AI‑driven video tools debut alongside Photo page

Alongside the photo enhancements, Resolve 21 adds a suite of AI‑powered video utilities:

• AI Face Age Transformer – analyze a face, set a target age and slide to add wrinkles or facial fullness.
• AI Face Reshaper – fine‑tune eyes, nose, mouth, eyebrows and overall face shape.
• AI Blemish Removal – reduces acne, discoloration and pores while preserving natural skin texture.
• AI UltraSharpen – upscales footage to higher resolutions and sharpens previously unusable clips.
• AI Motion Deblur – cleans up slight motion blur, especially useful for slow‑motion or freeze‑frame shots.

These tools sit alongside existing Resolve features such as Fusion VFX, OpenFX filters and the new AI Magic Mask for one‑click object selection. The Fusion page can now be edited from within the Cut and Edit pages, and a new Krokodove compositing library expands the creative toolkit.

Pricing, availability and platform support

Most of the new functionality ships in the free edition of DaVinci Resolve, keeping the barrier to entry low for hobbyists and small studios. However, two AI‑centric features—AI Magic Mask and Film Look Creator—are restricted to the paid DaVinci Resolve Studio license, priced at $295. Both the free and Studio versions are available for download now, and Blackmagic Cloud collaboration is optional via a subscription.

The release also adds immersive VR export options for platforms like Meta Quest and YouTube VR, signaling Blackmagic’s intent to cover the full spectrum of modern content creation—from still photography to next‑gen video experiences.

What this means for the creative ecosystem

Blackmagic’s move directly challenges Adobe’s dominance in the photo‑editing market. By bundling a powerful, node‑based grading system with AI video tools, Resolve aims to become a one‑stop shop for creators who work across media types. Early impressions suggest the Photo page is more intuitive than Lightroom for importing and organizing images, though some users miss Lightroom’s “Clarity” slider. If the workflow holds up in real‑world production, we may see a shift of freelancers and small agencies toward the free Resolve platform, especially given the cost advantage over Adobe’s subscription model.