THE BEST AI IMAGE UPSCALERS IN 2024

Take Better Photos
24 May 202409:10

TLDRIn 2024, AI image upscaling remains popular despite high-resolution cameras, driven by the demand for image generation services. This video updates the best upscaling tools, introducing new entries and improvements. Leonardo AI, known for image generation, offers a creativity slider for unique results but is the most expensive. On1's Resize AI is affordable and excels in animal images but struggles with compression artifacts. Luminar Neo's Upscale AI is a powerful extension with a face enhancer, though it can be overly aggressive. Topaz Photo AI leads the pack with its integrated upscaling and autocorrection, despite a higher price. A slideshow comparison is promised for viewers to judge the best upscaler.

Takeaways

  • 📷 Upscaling technology remains popular in 2024, despite high-resolution cameras, due to interest in image generation services.
  • 🎨 Leonardo AI, known for image generation, released a Universal upscaler in 2024, offering a creativity slider for varied output.
  • 🔍 Leonardo AI's upscaling relies on generative AI, with a recommended low creativity value for best results without deviating from the original image.
  • 💰 Leonardo AI is the most expensive option, with a plan starting at $12 a month, making it suitable for those also interested in its text-to-image service.
  • 🔧 On1's Resize AI allows enlarging photos up to 700% with a machine learning model that enhances small faces, released in version 20235.
  • 📚 Resize AI is simple to use as a standalone app or included with Photo 2024, with a one-time cost of $79, no subscription required.
  • 🐾 On1 Resize AI excels in sharpness, especially with animal images, but may introduce artifacts and struggle with noise reduction.
  • 🌟 Luminar Neo's Upscale AI is an extension, offering a promo price of $49 a year, including all extensions and updates as of July 2023.
  • ✨ Upscale AI effectively removes artifacts and enhances facial features, but can be overly aggressive, leading to a loss of fine details.
  • 🏆 Topaz Photo AI, the winner of the previous comparison, now integrates Gigapixel upscaling, noise reduction, and sharpening in one package.
  • 💡 Photo AI stands out for its top-notch upscaling quality, artifact removal, and fine detail preservation without aggressive smoothing.
  • 💼 Photo AI supports batch processing and autopilot for autocorrecting photo deficiencies, including upscaling, but is the most expensive at $199.

Q & A

  • What is the main focus of the video script provided?

    -The main focus of the video script is to discuss and compare the best AI image upscalers available in 2024, highlighting their features, strengths, and weaknesses.

  • Why is upscaling technology still popular despite the availability of high-resolution cameras?

    -Upscaling technology is still popular due to the large interest in image generation services, which often produce results at a lower resolution than traditional cameras.

  • What is the name of the new entry for the year in the list of AI image upscalers?

    -Leonardo AI is the new entry for the year in the list of AI image upscalers.

  • What feature does Leonardo AI offer that is different from other upscalers?

    -Leonardo AI offers a creativity slider that ranges from 0 to 10, affecting how varied the final output will look compared to the original image.

  • What is the recommended creativity slider value for Leonardo AI to achieve a balance between upscaling quality and deviation from the original image?

    -A low creativity value of around two or three is recommended for Leonardo AI to achieve the best compromise between upscaling quality and deviation from the original image.

  • What is the main advantage of On1 Resize AI in comparison to other upscalers?

    -On1 Resize AI's main advantage is that it produces sharp, crisp output, especially in animal images, and is the cheapest option among the entries, costing only $79 with no subscription required.

  • What is the latest version of On1 Resize AI, and when was it released?

    -The latest version of On1 Resize AI is 20235, which was released in the middle of 2023.

  • What is the main feature of Luminar Neo's Upscale AI that helps improve facial features in images?

    -Upscale AI includes a setting called 'face enhancer' which improves facial features even in highly compressed faces.

  • What is the main drawback of Luminar Neo's Upscale AI according to the script?

    -The main drawback of Luminar Neo's Upscale AI is its tendency to be overly aggressive in processing, removing fine details and producing an overly smooth image.

  • Why is Topaz Photo AI considered the top image upscaler in the script?

    -Topaz Photo AI is considered the top image upscaler because it offers topnotch upscaling quality, effectively removes artifacts, preserves fine details, and has excellent face recovery features.

  • What feature does Topaz Photo AI have that sets it apart from other upscalers in terms of convenience?

    -Topaz Photo AI supports batch processing and integrates an autopilot feature that works great in autocorrecting photo deficiencies, including upscaling, without any input required from the user.

  • What is the main consideration for users when choosing Topaz Photo AI over its competitors?

    -The main consideration is the price, as Topaz Photo AI is more expensive than its competitors, costing $199, which is more than twice the price of On1 Resize AI and four times higher than a yearly Luminar Neo subscription.

Outlines

00:00

📸 Upscaling Technology Trends and Leonardo AI Review

The script discusses the enduring popularity of upscaling technology, particularly in the context of AI-driven image generation services. Despite the prevalence of high-megapixel cameras, there is a significant interest in tools that upscale images to higher resolutions. The author plans to update a previous comparison video from 2020 to include the latest advancements and new entries in the field of upscaling for the year 2024. A slideshow comparison will be presented in a separate video for viewers to judge the best upscaler. The script introduces Leonardo AI, a new entry in 2024, known for its image generation capabilities but now offering a Universal upscaler. Leonardo's unique feature is its reliance on generative AI and a creativity slider that adjusts the level of change in the final output. The author found a low creativity value to be optimal for maintaining image quality without deviating significantly from the original. However, the service is expensive, with a starting plan at $12 per month and limited credits, making it suitable for those also interested in its text-to-image service.

05:02

🔍 Comparison of Upscaling Tools: Resize AI, Luminar Neo, and Topaz Photo AI

The script continues with a comparative analysis of different upscaling tools available in 2024. It starts with On1's Resize AI, which claims to enlarge photos up to 700% while maintaining detail and sharpness. The latest version, 20235, includes a machine learning model to enhance small faces. The author used Resize AI through Photo RAW 2024 and found it easy to use but noted its limitations in removing compression artifacts and producing unsightly artifacts. Despite its sharp output, it's the cheapest option at $79 with no subscription required. Next, the script reviews Luminar Neo's Upscale AI, an extension that offers artifact removal and face enhancement features. It was updated in July 2023 and is easy to use, but it tends to be overly aggressive, removing fine details and resulting in a smooth image. Lastly, Topaz Photo AI is highlighted as the top choice, having won in a previous comparison. It integrates Gigapixel upscaling with noise reduction and sharpening, and its version three is praised for its excellent upscaling quality, artifact removal, and preservation of fine details. It also supports batch processing with an autopilot feature for autocorrecting photo deficiencies, including upscaling. However, it is more expensive than competitors, priced at $199.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Upscaling Technology

Upscaling technology refers to the process of increasing the resolution of an image or video while maintaining or enhancing its quality. In the context of the video, this technology is crucial as it allows for the enhancement of images taken by high-megapixel cameras or generated by AI services, which may initially have lower resolutions. The script discusses various upscaling tools and their capabilities, indicating the ongoing development and improvement in this field.

💡Leonardo AI

Leonardo AI is highlighted as a new entry in the upscaling technology space for 2024. Known primarily for its image generation capabilities, Leonardo released a Universal upscaler that leverages generative AI to improve image quality. The script mentions its unique feature, a 'creativity slider,' which adjusts the extent of changes made to the original image during upscaling. This tool is positioned as a premium option, with a focus on both upscaling and text-to-image services.

💡Generative AI

Generative AI is a subset of artificial intelligence that focuses on creating new content, such as images, based on existing data. In the video script, generative AI is integral to Leonardo AI's upscaling process, where it generates new image details to enhance the resolution. The script illustrates this by showing how the creativity slider can affect the final output's deviation from the original image.

💡OnOne Resize AI

OnOne Resize AI is an upscaling tool that allows users to enlarge photos significantly while maintaining detail and sharpness. The script discusses its latest version, 20235, which includes a machine learning model for enhancing small faces in images. As a standalone app and a feature within Photo RAW 20124, Resize AI is presented as a cost-effective option for upscaling, with a one-time cost rather than a subscription.

💡Machine Learning Model

A machine learning model is an algorithm that learns from and makes predictions or decisions based on data. In the context of OnOne Resize AI, the script mentions an upgraded machine learning model that specifically detects and enhances small faces in images, contributing to the overall improvement in upscaling quality.

💡Luminar Neo

Luminar Neo is a photo editing software that offers various extensions, including Upscale AI, an upscaling tool. The script positions Luminar Neo as a cost-effective solution, currently on promo for $49 a year, which includes all extensions. Upscale AI, as part of Luminar Neo, is noted for its ability to remove artifacts and enhance facial features in images.

💡Upscale AI

Upscale AI is an extension for Luminar Neo that focuses on upscaling images. The script describes its functionality, including the choice between 'Universal' or 'experimental' upscaling types and a 'face enhancer' setting. It is noted for its ability to produce cleaner images and restore facial integrity, although it may sometimes be overly aggressive, leading to a loss of fine details.

💡Topaz Photo AI

Topaz Photo AI is an upscaling tool that integrates Gigapixel upscaling with noise reduction and sharpening. The script highlights it as the top choice for 2024, succeeding its Gigapixel upscaler from 2022. Photo AI is praised for its upscaling quality, artifact removal, and fine detail preservation, as well as its autocorrecting 'autopilot' feature for batch processing.

💡Batch Processing

Batch processing refers to the ability to process multiple files or tasks simultaneously. In the video script, Topaz Photo AI's support for batch processing is emphasized, showcasing its efficiency in handling multiple images at once, including the autocorrection of photo deficiencies during upscaling.

💡Autopilot

In the context of Topaz Photo AI, 'autopilot' is a feature that automatically corrects photo deficiencies, including upscaling. The script illustrates its effectiveness by mentioning that Photo AI correctly upscaled all test images without any manual input from the user, highlighting its user-friendly and efficient nature.

💡Artifacts

Artifacts in the context of image processing refer to unwanted visual elements or distortions that appear in an image, often as a result of compression or upscaling. The script discusses the ability of various upscaling tools to remove these artifacts, thereby improving the overall quality and appearance of the upscaled image.

Highlights

Upscaling technology remains popular despite the prevalence of high-megapixel cameras.

Leonardo AI is a new entry in 2024, known for image generation rather than upscaling.

Leonardo's Universal Upscaler allows for AI-made image uploads and quality improvement.

Leonardo AI uses generative AI for upscaling with a creativity slider for output variation.

A low creativity value of 2-3 in Leonardo AI offers a balance between quality and deviation from the original.

Leonardo AI excels in upscaling quality but alters the image look, which may be a con for some users.

Leonardo AI is the most expensive upscaler, with a starting plan at $12 per month.

On1 Resize AI allows enlarging photos to 700% while maintaining detail and sharpness.

On1 Resize AI's latest version 20235 includes a machine learning model for face enhancement.

On1 Resize AI is a standalone app, simple to use with a straightforward export process.

On1 Resize AI is the most affordable option at $79 with no subscription required.

Luminar Neo's Upscale AI is an extension that costs $49 a year, including all extensions.

Upscale AI was updated in July 2023, offering improved quality and a face enhancer feature.

Topaz Photo AI integrates Gigapixel upscaling and noise/sharpening in a single package.

Photo AI excels in upscaling quality, artifact removal, and fine detail preservation.

Photo AI supports batch processing and autopilot for autocorrecting photo deficiencies.

Photo AI is more expensive than competitors at $199, but offers top-notch upscaling quality.