Software to correct lens distortion is a great tool for enhancing your shots and getting rid of the unnecessary aberrations that are usually caused by the lens focal length, camera model and even the lens itself. These programs feature automatic and manual instruments for editing various types of pictures.
Meeting the needs of both professional and beginning photographers, such software will be especially useful for real-estate and architectural shooters.
- PTLens - Corrects distortion automatically
- Adobe Photoshop - User-friendly interface
- Fisheye-Hemi - Inventive mapping techniques
- DxO ViewPoint - Simple to use
- RadCor - The Grid feature
- Hugin - Panoramic image stitcher
- ShiftN - Handy lens correction settings
- GML Undistorter - Calculates the focal length of a lens
- PhotoDemon - Allows selecting the image quality
- Paint.Net - Fast functioning
- GIMP - Can add lens distortion
Almost all lens distortion correction software listed in this guide have a preview function that allows you to evaluate the result and decide if it is satisfactory. Some tools are designed for fixing lens distribution, and the task of others is to improve images by adjusting lens distortion.
1. PTLens - Our Choice
Corrects distortion automatically
- Numerous tools
- Corrects three types of rectilinear lenses
- Can work with JPEG and RAW graphics
- Allows processing up to 10 pictures in the unpaid version that is not time-restricted
- None
Verdict: PTLens is a highly functional tool that has various features for correcting lens distortion, vignetting, color fringing and perspective. By using this software to correct lens distortion, you can easily reduce the barrel aberration produced by wide-angle optical accessories.
In most cases, this type of distortion appears, when horizontal linear elements are represented as curved in the picture, and vertical elements, such as buildings, taper towards the top to cover the frontage in the photo. PTLens enhances such images by correcting the color dispersion, perspective distortion, rotation, etc.
PTLens also offers special instruments for turning fisheye images into straight-line pictures. This does not require calibration as maximum flexibility is ensured by the sliders.
2. Adobe Photoshop
User-friendly interface
- More than 100 tools for distortion correction
- Warp tool for blurring photos
- Numerous tutorials
- Allows adding lens distortion
- Cannot cope with significant wide-angle lens distortion
Verdict: Photoshop is regarded by many photographers as the best tool for editing images and one of the greatest lens distortion correction software. Use this photo correction tool with layers support for editing and enhancing your shots.
With the help of Photoshop, you can not only get rid of optical distortion but add lens distortion if necessary. This software has also numerous handy options for performing such tasks as “Fix the edge”, “Vignetting level”, “Vertical and horizontal perspective”, etc.
As soon as you upload an image, go to the Photoshop interface. Find the “Filter” tab, then choose the “Lens correction” option, proceed to a “Custom tab” and activate the “Auto-correction panel” that will allow you to customize the Edge setting.
3. Fisheye-Hemi
Inventive mapping techniques
- Preserves every detail
- Vertical lines alignment
- Great image sharpness
- Does not distort people’s silhouettes
- Fisheye distortion only
Verdict: Fisheye-Hemi is a popular software to correct lens distortion that is actually a Photoshop plug-in. It is also compatible with Lightroom and Apple Aperture which serve for correcting hemispheric fisheye lens distortion.
One more important feature of this tool is that it ensures a great clarity of the output image. A rectilinear mapping discards one-third of pixels and performs framing to the central part of the image along the horizontal axis. The software uses almost all pixel data in a rectilinear view.
This view will cause the narrowing of the picture center that is the most detailed part. By using advanced mathematics, Fisheye-Hemi keeps this detailing and the content of the initial fish-eye image. The major advantage of this tool over the other similar software is that it does not distort people’s silhouettes and makes them look natural in a photo.
4. DxO ViewPoint
Simple to use
- Easy to learn
- Can be downloaded as an app or a Photoshop plug-in
- 8-point tool for correcting perspective
- Automatic and manual image correction
- Does not support Fujifilm RAF
- Limited search options
Verdict: DxO ViewPoint is an advanced tool for repairing barrel distortion and adjusting perspective. It can be used as an independent app or as a plug-in for Photoshop and other popular software.
The main function of this lens distortion correction software is an automatic image enhancement that is made with the help of the Optics Module database. The tool will also let you process images manually.
DxO ViewPoint can adjust perspectives and modify the warped components on the photo edges. This highly functional program also incorporates an 8-point tool for correcting perspective. The software offers numerous options for restoring proportions and leveling the horizon. Its user-friendly interface with simplified controls will increase your productivity.
5. RadCor
The Grid feature
- Allows performing tasks automatically or manually
- Three sliders in manual mode
- RGB color correction
- Fish Eye option
- Requires much info about the device
Verdict: RadCor was designed for fixing warping images. It has rich functionality for correcting various types of distortion that are often caused by different lenses. This lens distortion correction software allows you to perform all the tasks automatically or manually.
In an automatic mode, image distortion correction is performed based on the EXIF data. After uploading a picture, activate the “Profile” button.
Provided it is available, RadCor will identify the EXIF data automatically. If not, you will have to enter this information manually. The software requires much info about the device, so you will need to specify the manufacturer of a camera, model, lens and focal length.
With the Chromatic option, you can modify the RGB colors of your graphics. The Grid feature enables you to put a grid on a picture, which is very helpful during image distortion correction.
6. Hugin
Panoramic image stitcher
- For complex image post-editing
- You can find the tutorial on its website
- Uses EXIF data
- Numerous functions
- Complicated for beginners
Verdict: Hugin is a free tool for panoramic image stitching that is widely regarded as one of the best photo stitching software. It can be used for complex post-production image editing.
Moreover, Hugin is often used as a lens distortion correction software. Although its interface might seem a bit complicated, Hugin is very popular among photographers. Of course, this software is not suitable for beginners, but more experienced users will enjoy its functionality.
Fixing lens distortion in Hugin is often referred to as lens calibration. It uses EXIF data, as well as the manually added baselines for fixing distorted graphics. The developers of the software compiled a tutorial that you can find on the website.
7. ShiftN
Handy lens correction settings
- For correcting significant and slight lens distortion
- Reduces distortion automatically
- Easy to use
- Doesn’t require much info about a lens
- Cuts out only rectangular images
Verdict: ShiftN is a popular tool that can reduce lens distortion and improve the quality of your shots. This user-friendly software can detect and fix the distortion automatically. Besides, it does not require much info about the lens to perform these tasks.
The only thing you should do is to upload your file, and this lens distortion correction software will find and fix aberrations by using its special algorithm.
If you are not satisfied with the output image, you can always process the photo manually. Click on the “Adjust correction” button, and you will see a menu with a variety of options that can be customized or applied to the graphics (e.g. “Shift”, “Rotation”, “Distortion” and “Horizontal shortening”).
8. GML Undistorter
Calculates the focal length of a lens
- Allows adjusting the focal length by moving the slider
- Removes barrel distortion
- You can select a folder for saving an output image
- For average and significant distortion
- Only JPEG format
- Limited functionality
Verdict: This great software to correct lens distortion is free of charge. It corrects lens distortion based on the focal length of a lens. The software requires the info about the lens’ focal length. You will need to upload the image with EXIF data so that GML Undistorter can identify this feature automatically. Otherwise, you will have to specify it manually.
If necessary, use a slider for fine adjustments. You can track any edits in the preview panel. Activate the “Cancel distortion” option to correct your photo.
You can select a folder for output images, choose the quality of a picture (only JPEG) and save your photo with EXIF data. Although the tool does not offer any other options, its functionality is enough for fixing distorted images, provided the EXIF data is correct. GML Undistorter can greatly enhance pictures that have average or significant distortion.
9. PhotoDemon
Allows selecting the image quality
- Reduces distortion and edits graphics
- Allows adding various filters and effects
- Customizable settings for distortion correction
- Can add distortion
- Slow functioning
Verdict: PhotoDemon is an open-source software the main function of which is fixing the distorted graphics. Considered as one of the best photo editors, this tool will be helpful if you need to edit your shots and correct the distortion.
Upload the image you need to process, and then click on the “Effects” tab, choose the “Distortion” option and click on the “Fix existing lens distortion” tab. A new window will appear that contains various adjustable settings for reducing distortion, such as “Correction degree”, “Correction radius”.
The Preview panel is very helpful, as it allows evaluating the enhanced image and determining whether its quality satisfies you. The software also lets you decide what to do with pixels that are outside the processed area.
10. Paint.Net
Fast functioning
- Contains a plug-in for Paint.Net users
- Manual correction in real-time
- Only one slider
- Uncomplicated settings
- Fixes only minor distortions
Verdict: Paint.Net is a well-known tool for editing graphics and fixing distortion. With the help of this software to correct lens distortion, you can reduce minor or average aberrations in no time. To perform this task, you will need to install a special plug-in.
To process an image, you need to upload it to the Paint.Net. You can find the plug-in for picture correction in the “Effects” tab. There you will need to select the “Photo” option and proceed to the “Lens distortion” feature.
It will allow you to perform the correction by adjusting the slider that can be moved in both directions. After completing the correction, click on the “OK” button and save your photo.
11. GIMP
Can add lens distortion
- Real-time correction
- Removes both vertical and horizontal distortion
- Has a feature of adding distortion
- Convenient location of the Preview panel
- Only manual correction mode
- Cannot handle significant distortion
Verdict: GIMP is a great tool for reducing distortion. Fitted with numerous powerful features, this open-source lens distortion correction software is compatible with Windows and other operating systems.
With a great range of customizable image-correction options, you can use GIMP for fixing minor or average distortion. Although all modifications should be done manually by adjusting some settings, you won’t experience any difficulties by performing this task.
To start image editing, go the “Filters” tab, then select the “Distortion” tab and activate the “Lens distortion” option. A small window will appear where you will be able to fix your images in real-time by using the Preview panel, Main and Edge sliders.
FAQs
How do you fix lens distortion? ›
You can change your position and shoot from a spot further away from your subject with the same lens. Another way is to use a longer lens, which should hopefully exhibit less distortion compared to a wide-angle lens.
How do I fix distorted images? ›- just click along a bent line. And then just hover over keep on hovering over and there you go the
How do you check lens distortion? ›A good way to check for barrel distortion is to look for parallel lines in the area you are shooting and see if the lines appear parallel in your image. Barrel distortion often occurs when using wide-angle lenses.
WHAT IS lens CA correction? ›CAMERA LENS CORRECTIONS. Lens corrections help offset imperfections present in nearly every camera image. These might include darkening near the corners of the frame, otherwise straight lines appearing curved, or color fringes near edge detail.
What is the formula of distortion? ›Given a source S, distortion function d:S. × S → ℜ+, and observation process U, a rate R is achievable with distortion D if for all δ > 0, there exists a sequence of (N, RN, DN) remote source codes and N* such that for all N ≥ N*, RN ≥ R + δ, DN ≤ D + δ.
Which Filter helps to reduce distortion of images? ›The Lens Correction filter helps to counteract some of these imperfections.
Which tool allows you to reverse any distortions made in an image? ›In Photoshop, the “Reconstruct” tool reverses any distortion you add to the image. To use the “Reconstruct” tool, click the “Restore All Button” on the “Reconstruct Options” panel.
How do I correct a lens in Photoshop? ›- Once you open Photoshop Express and begin editing your photo, select the Adjustments tool in the lower panel of the screen.
- Select Optics.
- Now switch on the Lens Corrections toggle.
Lens correction in Lightroom is straightforward. Open the Lens Correction tool in the Develop module (Optics panel in Lightroom CC). Click the boxes to remove chromatic aberration and enable profile corrections. Lightroom uses metadata in your image to fix known distortions created by your lens.
What are the 2 different kinds of distortion? ›In photography, there are two types of distortions: optical and perspective.
How many types of lens distortion are there? ›
There are three types of lens distortion called barrel, pincushion, and waveform (also known as mustache) distortion. It is important to note that distortion occurs differently depending on the lens system and whether the lens can or cannot be removed from the camera.
How does distortion correction work? ›The Distortion Correction feature in our R2-4K dashcam enables it to rectify any images' distortions automatically, converting the footage into its exact shape for you. This feature employed in your dashcam eliminates the worry about deformed images due to dashcam lenses' rounded and wide-angle design.
What is Digital Lens Optimizer? ›The Digital Lens Optimizer tool is a feature in Digital Photo Professional used during post-processing to clean aberrations in colors, tone, and resolution resulting from diffraction phenomena. The design of the lens and the shape of the glass is used to automatically improve the image.
Should I enable lens aberration correction? ›In-camera lens aberration correction only works on the jpg output and takes time which would be better spent writing the image to the card. I would only use it when I wanted jpg output straight out of the camera with no post-processing. Definitely switch it off if you're only saving in Raw format.
Which is the best lens in Lightroom? ›35mm, which is the standard focal length for street photographers. 50mm, which is considered as the perfect normal focal length and the focal length of the most popular prime lens, the nifty fifty. And, finally, 75mm, which is close to 85mm as a flattering focal length for portraits.
What is a good THD percentage? ›“Less than 0.5% percent THD from 20 Hz to 20 kHz at full rated power” would be a good rating for a tube power amplifier, not great for many solid-state amplifiers, or amazing for any speaker.
What is the acceptable level of distortion? ›Total harmonic distortion (THD) of voltage and current
Generally, it is sufficient to use values of n up to 25.
- D F = 1 1 − T H D 2.
- T H D = 1 2 + D F 2.
- T H D = 1 1 − D F 2.
- T H D = 1 D F 2 − 1.
Weiner filter and Median filter gives the best result compared to the other filters for the Speckle Noise, Gaussian Noise and Poisson noise as well which are present in an image [10]. Some filters work best for the specific Noises like Salt Pepper, Gaussian, Speckle, Blurred Noise etc.
How do I fix a distorted image in Photoshop? ›Luckily there's a simple solution for correcting this distortion in Photoshop: the Lens Correction filter. Open the distorted image as usual in Photoshop. Then, under the Filter menu, choose the Lens Correction option. The Lens Correction window then opens up with the Auto Correction tab active.
How do I fix perspective distortion in Photoshop? ›
- Go to Layer > Smart Objects > Convert to Smart Object.
- Go to Filter > Lens Correction.
- In the "Custom" tab under "Transform" drag the Vertical Perspective slider (or Horizontal if it is your case) until you see that the distortion dissapear and click OK.
What is the Liquify Tool in Photoshop? The Liquify tool is used to distort parts of your image. With it, you can push or pull, pucker or bloat specific pixels without losing quality. While this has been. around for many years, Adobe has put a lot of emphasis on developing this tool.
How do you use a liquify tool? ›How to Use the Liquify Tool in Photoshop | Day 12 - YouTube
How do I use the Bloat tool in Photoshop? ›Photoshop Part 5 - Using the bloat tool to make things appear larger
Which filter is useful for removing lens distortion from JPEG photos? ›Introduced in PhotoShop CS6, the Adaptive Wide Angle filter removes lens distortions in one of two ways: it either automatically detects the camera and lens model using pre-programmed details to straighten the images, or you can manually set constraints to tell the it which areas of the photo need to be straightened.
What fundamental action actions must be take to reduce lens distortion? ›- Calibrate the camera and obtain the intrinsic camera parameters. ...
- Control the percentage of undesired pixels in the undistorted image by fine-tuning the camera matrix.
- Using the revised camera matrix to remove distortion from the image.
Lens Corrections is a tool within Lightroom's Develop Module (hence I often refer to it as a “sub-module”) that allows fixing such lens problems as distortion, chromatic aberration, vignetting and perspective correction “non-destructively”, without leaving Lightroom.
Does Lightroom automatically apply lens correction? ›NOTE: For many of the new Mirrorless cameras (Canon and Nikon for sure), the latest version of Lightroom turns on these lens corrections for you automatically, but not for DSLRs or DSLR lenses, so folks not shooting the latest mirrorless will still need to do this (or anyone whose mirrorless doesn't automatically apply ...
How do I adjust distortion in Lightroom? ›Lightroom - How to Correct Lens Distortion in 30 Seconds - YouTube
Does wide-angle lens distort picture? ›Wide angle lenses distort things and enhance perspective.
What that means is that objects closer to the camera appear larger than ones farther away, even if they are the same size in reality.
Does a 35mm lens distort? ›
Lens distortion is an important factor to be aware of in the photography world. Different lenses cause this distortion to try to be able to fit more in the frame. Side note a 35mm is going to be your best lens to have to be able to fit more in the frame without lens distortion.
Which lens has the least distortion? ›Prime lenses tend to reveal less distortion, and you can pick up some bargain 50mm and 85mm examples online – they tend to have constant wide apertures too, making them great for people shots. It's also got a lot easier to fix lens distortion in software.
What is F theta distortion? ›F-theta lens distortion
F-theta lenses (used in laser scanning systems) are usually designed to produce a certain amount of distortion (barrel distortion) so that the image height is proportional to the field angle of θ.
The reason for this is because 24mm is quite wide (particularly on a full-frame camera), and as such it suffers from the perspective distortion that most wide lenses exhibit. Specifically, it exaggerates distances, making close objects appear larger than normal and distant objects smaller than normal.
What is distortion in Opencv? ›Two major kinds of distortion are radial distortion and tangential distortion. Radial distortion causes straight lines to appear curved. Radial distortion becomes larger the farther points are from the center of the image.
What causes distortion in lenses? ›While optical distortion is caused by the optical design of lenses (and is therefore often called “lens distortion”), perspective distortion is caused by the position of the camera relative to the subject or by the position of the subject within the image frame.
What causes photo distortion? ›Distortion commonly occurs from aberrations near the edges of an image. Each type of distortion usually develops through different variables. Barrel distortion, for example, is often the result of a lens at full zoom, while pincushion distortion occurs most often from telephoto lenses.
How do I fix my optical vignetting? ›Optical vignetting is sensitive to the aperture and can be completely cured by stopping down the lens. Two or three stops are usually sufficient.
What is distortion in lenses? ›Lens distortion is a deviation from the ideal projection considered in pinhole camera model. It is a form of optical aberration in which straight lines in the scene do not remain straight in an image. Examples of lens distortions are barrel distortion and pincushion distortion, cf. Fig.
Which lens has the least distortion? ›Prime lenses tend to reveal less distortion, and you can pick up some bargain 50mm and 85mm examples online – they tend to have constant wide apertures too, making them great for people shots. It's also got a lot easier to fix lens distortion in software.
How many types of distortion are there? ›
Distortion occurs in six main forms: Longitudinal shrinkage. Transverse shrinkage. Angular distortion.
What focal length has no distortion? ›The best focal length for portraits is 50mm and above when trying to avoid distortion.
What fundamental action actions must be take to reduce lens distortion? ›- Calibrate the camera and obtain the intrinsic camera parameters. ...
- Control the percentage of undesired pixels in the undistorted image by fine-tuning the camera matrix.
- Using the revised camera matrix to remove distortion from the image.
The Distortion Correction feature in our R2-4K dashcam enables it to rectify any images' distortions automatically, converting the footage into its exact shape for you. This feature employed in your dashcam eliminates the worry about deformed images due to dashcam lenses' rounded and wide-angle design.
Does wide-angle lens distort picture? ›Wide angle lenses distort things and enhance perspective.
What that means is that objects closer to the camera appear larger than ones farther away, even if they are the same size in reality.
Lens vignetting is a reduction in brightness or saturation on the periphery of an image. It is produced by a certain number of factors, including defects in the design of the lens, the focal length, or the aperture. The loss of brightness grows as the distance from the center of the photo increases.
What is vignette effect? ›A vignette is a darker border - sometimes as a blur or a shadow - at the periphery of photos. It can be an intentional effect to highlight certain aspects of the image or as a result of using the wrong settings, equipment or lens when taking a photo.
WHAT IS lens falloff? ›Here is everything you need to know about lens vignetting
Vignetting, also known as “light fall-off” (sometimes spelled “light falloff”) is common in optics and photography, which in simple terms means darkening of image corners when compared to the center.
Luckily there's a simple solution for correcting this distortion in Photoshop: the Lens Correction filter. Open the distorted image as usual in Photoshop. Then, under the Filter menu, choose the Lens Correction option. The Lens Correction window then opens up with the Auto Correction tab active.
What is F theta distortion? ›F-theta lens distortion
F-theta lenses (used in laser scanning systems) are usually designed to produce a certain amount of distortion (barrel distortion) so that the image height is proportional to the field angle of θ.
Does 24mm have distortion? ›
The reason for this is because 24mm is quite wide (particularly on a full-frame camera), and as such it suffers from the perspective distortion that most wide lenses exhibit. Specifically, it exaggerates distances, making close objects appear larger than normal and distant objects smaller than normal.