Neat Image vs. Photoshop

Is there anything Neat Image can do that Photoshop cant do???

I bought photoshop, and i found myself using the Demo of Neat Image to remove noise along with sharpen photos and just "clean them up" more than photoshop. Im sure photoshop can do it, if you learn... But Neat Image is SOOO easy to use.. Its like idiot proof.

Can photoshop also remove noise from images in a few easy steps?

I use photoshop from my creative work, but is Neat Image worth buying for basic photo improvement/post processing...

Had anyone else used Neat Image or is Photoshop the only think you really need?

If you guys dont know what im talkin about, let me know, and ill be MORE than happy to post a few samples of what im taking about...

Also, does neat image also maintan the same image quality as photoshop would?

Im using the Demo, but they have Home and Profesional version for purchse.

Most folks use PS (or RSE or DPP or others) and also use a noise removal program. These programs are rather specialized in that all they really do is replace the noise with wht they think is the best pixel color for the job. PS is not really designed to do that.

Check into Neat Image, Noise Ninja and Noiseware, they seem to be about the three top noise removal programs for people on this board.

Two different types of programs really. Kinda like Excel and Word.

My philosphy, make your best exposure and then use whatever it takes.

Neat Image removes noise. Photoshop does everything else.

Thank You! for the info. I was thinking photoshop was a single source program...

Has anyone used the Neat Image plugin for photoshop???

Another Questions since we are using different programs for differnt things. Do you guys use the RAW Software that comes with the camera, or do you use Photoshop to process your RAW files...

I know both can do them, but what would you feel is the better way to do it?

Im getting very excited with saw since i just bought software/hardware for monitor color calibration, so now im gung-ho on on screen editing.

The noise reduction filter in PS CS2 actually seems to work quite well. I haven't done a lot of comparisons between it an Neat Image, but I find myself using the PS one more and more.

I use this reasonably priced ($35USD) noise reduction software and it works quite well...
http://www.mediachance​.com/pureimage/index.h​tml

A trial copy is also available for your evaluation.

FEATURES
--------------
Advanced Noise reduction
Quick constant preview of the noise being reduced
Optimized Color Matching and Correction
Has build-in rotation tool
Advanced Descreen filter
Curves and Histogram display
High quality JPEG output with Auto-Quality
Supports various input/output formats: JPG, PNG, BMP, TIF, TGA etc..
Drag and Drop files from explorer
Open Next/Prev file in folder with one button

I have the plug in version. I like it for a couple of reasons. You don't have to save the file every time you exit NI and you can apply noise reduction to a layer, selection or channel in your photo.

Thats all i needed to know. I dont like going outside photoshop to do anything... Beside for using Canon software to process my RAW file...

Everything else is done in photoshop.