DaVinci Resolve 19 review: leading video-editing software gets even better, somehow

New tools for content creators make DaVinci Resolve 19 a more appealing choice than ever.

A screenshot from DaVinci Resolve 19
(Image: © Jacob Little)

Our Verdict

The latest version of DaVinci Resolve is a genuinely impressive piece of kit, and with version 19, it further appeals to a wide range of content creators. Professionals and serious enthusiasts are well catered for in both the free and paid versions, and despite its complexity and steep learning curve, a one-off payment for the Studio version further adds to its appeal. If you’re just starting out or are frustrated by any limitations that may present themselves with other software, we’d look no further than this.

For

  • Incredibly detailed and advanced
  • Impressive colour-grading tools
  • Good documentation
  • An extensive free version, and a one-off payment for the studio version

Against

  • Intimidating and complex at first
  • Needs a modern, decent system to fulfil its potential
  • Render times of complex timelines could be improved

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DaVinci Resolve has to battle more choices than ever when it comes to picking your favourite video-editing software. For everyone from casual content creators to editing professionals, the rise of high-powered computing platforms to deal with ultra-high-resolution video files has meant that software has become more able and more flexible than ever. For many, Adobe’s Premiere Pro and Apple’s Final Cut Pro still rule the roost, but there have been over the last few years an emergence of other options – from software to edit on your phone or tablet device to other, more comprehensive options like Blackmagicdesign’s DaVinci Resolve, offering professional editing, colour grading and audio editing in a compelling free package.

A screenshot from DaVinci Resolve 19

(Image credit: Jacob Little)
The Verdict
9

out of 10

Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve Studio 19

The latest version of DaVinci Resolve is a genuinely impressive piece of kit, and with version 19, it further appeals to a wide range of content creators. Professionals and serious enthusiasts are well catered for in both the free and paid versions, and despite its complexity and steep learning curve, a one-off payment for the Studio version further adds to its appeal. If you’re just starting out or are frustrated by any limitations that may present themselves with other software, we’d look no further than this.

Jacob Little is a UK-based photographer and journalist with a particular interest in travel.