Rating leader - a modern application for viewing and cataloging photos with face recognition
A good set of tools that will help you sort, adjust and convert photos
A photo viewer is a fairly broad concept. Indeed, under this term, you can “fit” both simple utilities and powerful photo editors. In fact, both of them will cope with the main task, which is viewing the image. But how do they do it? What tools do they have? Does the user need to search for the right button for half an hour, or will he/she be able to examine the desired frame in detail just by one click? Let's figure it out.
TOP evaluation criteria
Since the top considers completely different programs in terms of their functionality, the applications will be divided into several types:
- Photo viewers and cataloging programs. They'll open and help you sort photos in your personal and professional photo archive.
- Photo editors. They can not only open images but also help you edit and convert them.
- Cloud services. Programs that connect to network file storage.
- Simple utilities. They offer a minimal set of functions: open an image, start a slideshow, and view photo metadata.
Photo viewers can be completely different. But one thing that unites them is the search for a solution to the problem of opening and viewing images. Therefore, they were also compared with each other in a sort of ranking. The following characteristics served as the evaluation criteria:
- Usability. Friendliness and ease of use.
- Cross-platform. This means the ability to use a software solution on different platforms, on several devices at once.
- Accessibility. This refers to how easy the app is to install and use. For example, how complicated is the program download/installation algorithm, is the price affordable or not, and other restrictions.
- Multi-format. This means either a program can work with different image formats or not.
- Speed. This includes program opening speed and responsiveness when navigating through large directories.
- Overall impression. A subjective assessment that allows you to recommend this or that application as a photo viewer.
Photo viewers and organization software
Tonfotos
The leader of the rating, which in all respects took 9-10 points.
Convenient, intuitive interface with a good set of tools for comfortable file organization, which can display photos both on the computer's hard drive and on removable media in cloud storage at the same time. There are functions search for duplicate photos, as well as face recognition in photos.
The program is available both for free use (with slightly reduced features) and for purchase. Moreover, the free version is quite suitable for use on a home PC, but if you need more significant features, then you can simply pay for a license.
Advantages of the program:
- Lightweight, not overloaded intuitive design. There are light and dark themes.
- Import files from mobile devices.
- Photos of friends from the app are available in the program.
- Good face recognition in photos.
- Quick search by filming location, date and more.
Disadvantages of the program:
- With a large amount of photos, a long initial indexing is possible.
- There are no photo editing tools. Initially, the program is not intended for these purposes. It is aimed at organizing and working with an archive of images, but not correcting a photo.
Picasa
One of the most popular "old school" programs Picasa is still in demand and relevant, despite the fact that it has not been updated for more than 10 years. In this article we looked at modern alternatives for Picasa.
A free, but at the same time “thought-out” program, for its time, had excellent innovative functionality, which are convenient systematization of files located in different directories, a face recognition function and other tools.
Now only old versions of the program are available for download, which work great on modern operating systems. But the search for installation files may take some time. And it’s not enough to find the file itself, you also need to check the security of the resource from which this file will be downloaded to make sure that you don’t install anything unexpected on your computer or device.
Advantages of the program:
- Intuitive interface.
- An excellent combination, for its time, free and innovative functionality.
- Face recognition.
- Binding to a Google account and the ability to work with it.
- Ability to create slide shows.
Disadvantages of the program:
- Work algorithms are already obsolete. The program may not meet the requirements of modern programs for the quality of "reading" files, their systematization for face recognition.
- It requires downloading installation files from dubious sites.
- It does not support modern image formats webp and HEIC.
- There are freezes in work.
Ashampoo Photo Commander FREE
Despite the fact that the program is completely free, Ashampoo Photo Commander FREE has everything you need to catalog photo archives of any size. The application supports reading, editing and subsequent sorting of photos by metadata. Particularly useful is the ability to tag and create a title, the presence of which subsequently simplifies the search for the desired photo. Just enter a key request in the search, and the desired photo will be displayed on the screen. Creating albums will allow you to catalog a photo archive without having to manually move files in the computer's memory.
In addition, Ashampoo Photo Commander FREE has basic editing functions. Without using third-party programs, you can remove scratches, adjust color, brightness, and perform simple retouching.
The program interface is well thought out and structured. Therefore, despite the extensive range of features, even a user who has not previously worked with similar applications will be able to quickly understand the settings of Ashampoo Photo Commander FREE.
Advantages programs
- The program is completely free and has no restrictions on functionality.
- A well-designed interface that is easy to understand even for a beginner.
- It is possible to search photos by metadata.
- Availability of basic image editing functions.
Disadvantages of the program
- Despite its convenience, the program's interface looks a little outdated compared to modern analogues.
- Ashampoo Photo Commander FREE has a low level of automation; most settings must be done manually. There is no function for recognizing and identifying people's faces.
PhotoScape X
PhotoScape was originally designed to run on macOS. Therefore, it has such an “unusual” design (especially for those who have not worked in programs alternative to “window” systems). But over time, PhotoScape began to work fine on Windows as well.
In addition to viewing photos, there is a decent set of tools here:
- small photo editor;
- batch processing;
- creating collages;
- screen capture;
- and other useful features.
Numerous versions of the program have been translated into more than 20 languages. The application is available for download on the official website.
Despite the program is quite popular and has been translated into more than 20 languages, it does not apply to all versions. There are two versions of the application: for home use (X) and professional (Pro). The latter costs about $39.99.
Advantages of the program:
- You quickly get used to the specific interface. It is built logically and intuitively.
- Good photo editor. Changes to the image can be undone with a couple of mouse clicks.
- You can make various collages and animations.
- The program works with equal files. There is a converter for those who need to convert a complex file into an easier one.
Disadvantages of the program:
- No functions for face recognition, search by shooting location
- No batch conversion.
- Trimmed functionality of the free version.
DigiKam
Another program that was not originally written for "window systems" is DigiKam. Its "roots" can also be traced in its interface. The operating system for which the program was written was originally Linux. Today the program is also adapted for Windows and MacOS.
The program has extensive functionality, which, unfortunately, is hidden under the specific design and logic of building a solution to problems in the app.
With the help of the program, you can sort photos by tags, name, date or geolocation. There is a small photo editor. And the function of face recognition is a little "crooked".
Open source donation program. You can download it from the corresponding website.
Advantages of the program:
- Customizable automatic import from third party devices and USB drives.
- There are tools for systematizing the archive, such as face recognition, geolocation binding.
- Ability to publish photos in a variety of services.
Disadvantages of the program:
- It creates duplicate photos when creating albums.
- Specific interface.
- Low quality face recognition.
- There are freezes in work.
Photo ExpressViewer
A program from the Japanese company Ichikawa Soft Laboratory (creators of SILKYPIX), it is positioned as a high-speed tool for selecting and pre-sorting huge amounts of RAW data. Unlike heavy cataloging programs, Photo ExpressViewer relies on instant rendering by utilizing the graphics card (GPU) and reading built-in previews.
The app is ideal for the culling stage, when you need to quickly review thousands of shots after shooting, rank them, and select the best ones for subsequent development. The program supports importing from external media, batch renaming, and advanced EXIF data searching.
Advantages of the program:
- Performance. Using a GPU allows for smooth scrolling and instant zooming of large RAW files without rendering delays.
- Flexible labeling system. In addition to the standard star rating, custom color labels are available, which can be combined (up to 32 combinations).
- Professional comparison tools. Multi-preview mode lets you compare multiple frames vertically or horizontally to select the sharpest take.
- Working with metadata. Deep search and filtering by shooting parameters (focal length, aperture, ISO) and keywords.
- Affordable price. Unlike competitors with subscription models, the program is offered for a reasonable one-time fee (around 3,000 yen or ~$20).
Disadvantages of the program:
- Lack of editing features. This is a pure viewer and manager. Therefore, for color correction, you'll have to send files to an external editor.
- The interface is unique. The design follows the "Japanese school" with an abundance of small icons, which can take some getting used to after using Adobe products.
- Platform limitations. The program is optimized primarily for Windows.
IrfanView
A true veteran that remains relevant thanks to its lightweight design and plugin support, IrfanView. weighs just a few megabytes, but with the full extension package installed, it becomes a powerful tool capable of opening video and rare engineering formats.
For archive management, IrfanView has a separate companion application, IrfanView Thumbnails. It opens as a second window and allows you to browse the f