Adobe Photoshop Elements 4

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CNET editors' rating: 4.0 stars Excellent
Detailed editors' rating

Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 20 reviews
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Product summary

CNET Editors' ChoiceNov 05

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.

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

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 reviews

Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 20 reviews
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Showing 3 of 20 user reviewsSee all 20 user reviews
3.5 stars

55 out of 55 people found this review helpful

"A very good Photo Editing Program"

by geru on November 10, 2005

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4.0 stars

23 out of 24 people found this review helpful

"All in one digital photo management"

by AGrimwade on November 28, 2005

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4.5 stars

22 out of 23 people found this review helpful

"The photo management software of choice for all but the most demanding users"

by gordonrd on November 15, 2005

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Adobe Photoshop Elements 4

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Reviews from around the WebPowered by alaTest

alaTest.com

Editors' rating: 88

Summary: alaTest has collected and analyzed 557 reviews of Adobe Photoshop Elements 4.0 from international magazines and websites. Experts rate this product 88/100 and users 71/100. Comparing these reviews to 30929 other Business reviews gives this product an overall alaScore™ 88/100 = Very Good.
maximumpc.com

Editors' rating: 80

Summary: If you can avoid all the add-in services, it's pretty apparent that the DNA of Photoshop is still in Elements. But while perspective correction is somewhat effective, as with many PE5 features, you always feel as though you want to crank it up a notch ...

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computershopper.com

Editors' rating: 85

Summary: A terrific organizer for photo junkies

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computerarts.co.uk

Editors' rating: 100

Summary: Adobe has produced a great product at an excellent price. Although it doesn't offer much that's new, it is still the best value package on the market

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macformat.co.uk

Editors' rating: 100

Summary: Elements 4 is brilliant value for money and, with the inclusion of Adobe Bridge, a very cost-effective alternative to Photoshop CS2.

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photographypress.co.uk

Editors' rating: 90

Summary: Elements 5 is not only more powerful than previous versions, it's easier than ever to use, making it possibly the perfect editing suite for the PC

Read full review