Adobe Photoshop Elements 4

CNET Editors' Rating 8.1/10 Excellent Editorial policies >>
Average user rating from 20 users 5.2/10 Average Read user opinions >>

Product Summary CNET Editors' Choice

The good: Fabulous interface; superb editing and organizational tools; terrific slide-show and other photo-sharing features.

The bad: A bit more sluggish than we'd like; no Mac version yet.

The bottom line: Adobe Photoshop Elements 4 adds even more power to an already top-flight image editor/organizer package. Equipped with a chic interface and a fantastic toolbox, Elements is the best choice for digital photographers who want to put their photo collection in order and share with others.

Specs: License qty: 1 user; License type: Complete package; Min processor type: 800 MHz See full specs >>

Price range: $28.82

CNET editors' review

Reviewed by: Susan Glinert
Edited by: Lori Grunin
Reviewed on: 11/08/2005
Released on: 09/27/2005

Rarely do I encounter a piece of software so well designed that words fail me (at least until my editor pointed out that she wouldn't pay me for a "words failed me" review). So, I'll say this: if you need a phenomenal image editor and organizer package, buy Adobe Photoshop Elements 4. And if you're thinking of taking up video editing, get the bundle with Adobe Premiere Elements 2.

Click here to take a complete tour of Photoshop Elements 4.

Adobe Photoshop Elements 4 is more than just a scaled-down version of Adobe Photoshop. Aside from the fact it makes the feature set and interface comprehensible to non-graphic-designer types, the program incorporates automatic image enhancements and extremely intelligent selection tools that are missing in Photoshop. However, Photoshop users will find both the tools and the features familiar in both appearance and effect. I actually prefer Elements 4 for editing photos--it's a bit easier to browse around and perform quick fixes. And though it's a tiny bit sluggish, especially when loading the different work spaces, we turn to Photoshop only for batch operations or sophisticated color correction. Alas, this version drops Windows 2000 support, and the Mac version is "in the works." Otherwise, Elements is just about perfect for Windows XP users.

See more CNET content tagged:: Photoshop Elements,; Adobe PhotoShop,; Adobe Systems Inc.,; Microsoft Windows

User opinions

5.2/10 Average user rating from 20 users Average

WRITE YOUR OWN REVIEW How would you rate this product?

8/10 Excellent November 28, 2005

by AGrimwade (see profile)

"All in one digital photo management" Read more >>
3/10 Poor November 24, 2005

by Whamrick (see profile)

"A BIT more sluggish?" Read more >>
9/10 Spectacular November 15, 2005

by gordonrd (see profile)

"The photo management software of choice for all but the most demanding users" Read more >>
WRITE YOUR OWN REVIEW See all 20 user opinions >>