A new version of darktable is here, and it looks awesome. The free and open source photography app has reached version 5.2.0, and it’s packed with upgrades that should please both casual users and seasoned photographers. Available here for Windows, macOS, and Linux, this release brings performance improvements, UI tweaks, new camera support, and some fresh editing tools.
Darktable is often seen as a free alternative to Adobe Lightroom, but with this release, it’s clear the developers are pushing to make it a powerful choice in its own right. Whether you’re coming from another editor or just looking to do more with your RAW files, version 5.2.0 is worth a look.
One of the more useful changes is the new side-by-side snapshot view. Instead of overlaying a snapshot on your current image, you now get two separate panels. This makes it easier to compare changes while editing. The metadata module is now fully configurable too, and there’s a new “raster mask import” tool that brings some advanced masking options for those using PFM files.
Another nice addition is the ability to export images with multiple presets at once. If you’re someone who prepares images for different platforms or formats, this could save a lot of time.
Under the hood, there are over a thousand commits since the 5.0 series. Deprecated modules like levels and contrast/brightness/saturation have been fully removed. The sigmoid tone-mapper is now the default on fresh installs. A bunch of interface elements have been refined, like thumbnail zoom controls and color picking in the Color Balance RGB tool. It’s the kind of polish that power users will notice right away.
Camera support is also much broader now. New models like the Canon EOS R5 C, Fujifilm GFX100S II, Nikon Z5 II, Sony ZV-E10M2, and several Panasonic bodies are now supported. The update also improves lens detection for Olympus and OM System cameras, even when metadata is missing.
Performance-wise, darktable 5.2.0 is snappier during blending operations and eliminates unnecessary GUI redraws. Background tasks are handled better on shutdown too, reducing the risk of losing work.
There are also fixes for TIFF crashes, AVIF export quirks, geotagging bugs, and more. Lua scripting sees some improvements too, including the ability to apply sidecar files from within scripts.
macOS users should note that support now starts at version 13.5. Anyone using older versions of macOS will need to stick with an earlier darktable release.
If you’re using an unusual or brand-new camera, consider submitting raw samples to help improve compatibility. Just make sure they’re under a CC0 license, as darktable uses those to ensure proper support.
Documentation for 5.2.0 isn’t fully up to date yet, but the project is open to contributions. It’s a reminder that darktable is very much a community effort.
This release makes darktable feel faster, more capable, and easier to use without sacrificing the kind of deep control serious photographers expect. Whether you’re editing on Windows, macOS, or Linux, darktable 5.2.0 is worth checking out.
