Best Photo Viewers

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Almost every computer user encounters images (photos, pictures) at work every day. Naturally, files of graphic formats need to be viewed. But which photo viewers to use, because today there are a lot of such programs developed, not counting the own tools of the Windows operating systems themselves. We will talk about this further. I would like to note right away that the ratings and recommendations below are very conditional, since each user may have his own opinion and preferences on this matter.

Standard Windows Photo Viewer

First, let's focus on the built-in tools. Many users frankly do not like them.

If the photo viewer in Windows 7 does not cause any particular complaints, then a similar tool in the tenth modification of the operating system looks far from the bestThus, although you can return the standard viewer to the form in which you are used to seeing it in Windows 7 and below systems, you can by editing the system registry. The operation is rather complicated, therefore, based on practical images, it will not be considered. If there is such a need, you can find a ready-made REG file, download it and integrate its parameters with the registry.

But why don't users like the standard Windows Photo Viewer? The tool, presented in Windows 7 and below, really only allows you to view images (and then, far from all known formats) or scale them. There is no question of any simple editing like removing red-eye from a photo.

Windows 10 Photo Viewer looks a bit better. In it, you can already edit the photo a little, and do some drawing, and create an entire video presentation or slide show based on it with the addition of music, text and visual special effects. You can organize a collection based on albums, save work in the OneDrive cloud storage, send a project by mail or Skype. Be that as it may, all the same, users are not in a hurry to use this program for their needs, preferring other, as it seems to them, more powerful applications with great capabilities.

One could, of course, use the standard photo viewer in the form of a photo manager, presented in the "Office" tools, as a regular tool. Tounfortunately, its capabilities are far from perfect, although it does have a function to automatically correct some parameters to improve the color gamut, color saturation, contrast, etc.

Photo viewers: main types of programs

If we're talking about third-party apps, let's first look at their common features. The vast majority of such programs are designed not only for comfortable viewing of images, but also for the quick organization of user collections and albums. All applications have such tools.

Another thing is how many formats a certain application supports and what it can do in terms of using some additional features.

Such toolkits will be discussed separately, but for now let's look at the list, which presents the most popular and popular image viewers among users. It is impossible to consider everything, so let's focus on a few of them, among which the following can be singled out separately:

• ACDSee;
• FastStone Image Viewer;
• XnView;
• Irfan View;
• Picasa;
• Carambis PhotoTrip.

ACDSee

Before us is the once most popular application, which caused a real revolution with its appearance in the computer world. This program is still present in all ratings and supports the maximum number of known graphic formats.

Tools for viewing andediting graphics, not to mention the ordering of user photo albums, is presented in a very interesting way. So, for example, the program can preview archived images (ZIP, LHA, etc.), supports RAW format recognition, allows batch processing of files both in terms of editing and in terms of converting the original format, create presentations, record the necessary information directly on optical media and much more. What is somewhat disappointing is that the application is shareware, and the standard version has some functionality limitations compared to the completely paid PRO modification.

FastStone Image Viewer

This application is considered to be of interest to all those users who previously preferred to use ACDSee, as it adds some more modern features to the main set of tools of this program. According to users, the functionality of this package could look very good even in paid professional applications for viewing and processing graphics. But this program is completely free!

Resemblance to the progenitor is noticeable in some interface elements. As for the possibilities, they are mainly related to the recognition of a large number of graphic formats, the rapid creation of slide shows with music, batch processing of files based on user settings, image comparison tools, as well asthe ability to apply effects, of which there are about 150, and even watermarks.

XnView

Speaking of photo viewers, one cannot fail to note the XnView software package, which is focused on the rapid creation of collections, which can be done by "scattering" photos into albums from the built-in file manager by dragging them to the desired folder (this is known for its simplicity Drag&Drop technology).

It goes without saying that there are plenty of options for editing graphics, not to mention support for EXIF and IPTC formats. Separately, it is worth mentioning that the program allows you to create entire HTML pages containing graphics, which can be quite an interesting tool for web designers who are making preliminary sketches. In addition, it can be used not only to work with images, but also to watch videos and even listen to music.

Irfan View

This application is almost the most unique among all presented, because with its weight of about 1 MB, it shows exceptional performance and does not consume system resources, occupying them with unnecessary processes.

Of course, the user will not find all sorts of designer bells and whistles here, but it is one of the best as a quick and convenient viewer. To add some features (like inserting video or audio into a slideshow), you can use additional freely distributed plugins. Despite its seemingsimplicity, the app looks pretty good overall.

Picasa

Before us is one of the most unusual applications, which can be attributed to photo viewers very conditionally. It is familiar to many from mobile systems, and sometimes the program is built into the shell of internal IPTV portals. What is interesting about this program? And the fact that for the most part it is used to create collages and, if I may say so, graphic parodies of original photos or pictures.

Another interesting feature of the application is the ability to set protection on albums in the form of user passwords. The Smart Scan function is used to quickly search for image files across all drives and logical partitions of the computer, and ordering images in this application is one of the easiest.

Carambis PhotoTrip

A final word about Carambis PhotoTrip, even though it is paid. The application combines the best features inherent in all the above packages.

The key features of this application are extended sets of color correction filters, the ability to install GPS tags on images, add images to maps and create GPS routes, plus - quickly send materials by e-mail or post them on the most popular social networks (Facebook, VK, Flikr, etc.).

Which is better?

Let's see which viewerphotos are the best. Frankly speaking, to choose one of all the described programs and say that it is the best, somehow the language does not turn, since each application has many unique features in its arsenal. You can give preference to the classics (ACDSee), but many users prefer programs with more features (for example, watching videos). To choose the most convenient package for yourself, you need to try it.