Adobe Lightroom
Version | 8(as of 5/15/2025) |
Platforms | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Web |
License | Commercial |
Category | Graphics |
Main Features
- Non-destructive editing that preserves your original photos while allowing you to make edits
- AI-powered tools, such as AI-based subject selection, sky masking, and denoise
- Cloud syncing and cross-device access for editing images anytime, anywhere
- Organizational tools like albums, star ratings, flags, keywords, and metadata filtering to manage large photo libraries
- Built-in and downloadable presets and adaptive presets
- Export photos in various formats and share them directly to social media
Software Overview
Adobe Lightroom is a photo editing and organizing app for photographers of all skill levels. The program offers numerous image-editing features, support for various file types, and cloud integration. It is available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and the web, making it easy to access and edit photos from nearly any device. Adobe also offers a desktop-only version called Lightroom Classic, which provides a more advanced workflow for seasoned professionals who prefer a local file system over cloud storage.
Lightroom provides features that help you easily import, organize, and enhance your photos. You can sort images using ratings, flags, albums, and metadata, then apply edits ranging from simple adjustments like cropping and exposure correction to advanced tools like masking with AI-powered subject detection, lens corrections, tone curves, split toning, and the Color Mixer. The app also includes hundreds of presets, including adaptive presets that automatically adjust to your photo's subject and lighting conditions.
Cloud integration is a key feature of Lightroom. All edits are saved automatically and synced across your devices through Adobe Creative Cloud, so you can start editing an image on your desktop and then continue on your phone or tablet. You can also export photos to several formats, including .JPG, .TIF, .JXL, and .DNG, and share them directly on social media or via albums.
New in recent updates, Adobe has added tools to Lightroom to help both casual users and experienced photographers get results faster and with less manual effort. For example, the app includes AI-powered denoise, HDR support, editing history, and adaptive presets for portraits, skies, and subjects, further streamlining the editing process while maintaining professional-level control.
Summary
Lightroom is a user-friendly yet feature-rich photo editing app. It offers tools that scale from beginner to pro, support for many file types, and seamless syncing across devices, making Adobe Lightroom an excellent choice for enhancing, organizing, and sharing your photography from anywhere.
Primary File Type

Supported File Types
Extension | File Type |
---|---|
.MCAT | Adobe Lightroom Catalog |
.3FR | Hasselblad 3F RAW Image |
.ARW | Sony Alpha Raw Digital Camera Image |
.AVIF | AVIF Image |
.CR2 | Canon Raw 2 Image |
.CR3 | Canon Raw 3 Image |
.CRW | Canon Raw CIFF Image File |
.DCP | Adobe DNG Camera Profile |
.DNG | Digital Negative Image |
.ERF | Epson RAW File |
.GPR | GoPro RAW Image |
.HEIC | High Efficiency Image Format |
.HEIF | High Efficiency Image Format |
.IIQ | Phase One RAW Image |
.JPG | JPEG Image |
.KDC | Kodak Photo-Enhancer File |
.MEF | Mamiya RAW Image |
.MFW | Mamiya Camera Raw File |
.MOS | Leaf Camera RAW Image |
.MRW | Minolta Raw Image |
.NEF | Nikon Electronic Format RAW Image |
.ORF | Olympus RAW File |
.PEF | Pentax Electronic File |
.PNG | Portable Network Graphic |
.PSD | Adobe Photoshop Document |
.RAF | Fujifilm RAW Image |
.RW2 | Panasonic RAW Image |
.RWL | Leica RAW Image |
.SRW | Samsung RAW Image |
.TIF | Tagged Image File |
.X3F | SIGMA X3F Camera RAW File |
.XMP | Extensible Metadata Platform File |
Additional Related File Types
Extension | File Type |
---|---|
.AGLIB | Adobe Lightroom Library |
.AGMODULE | Adobe Lightroom Module |
.AGTEMPLATE | Adobe Lightroom Template |
.AGTOOLKIT | Adobe Lightroom Toolkit |
.JPEG | JPEG Image |
.LRCAT | Adobe Lightroom Classic Catalog |
.LRDATA | Adobe Lightroom Data File |
.LRDB | Adobe Lightroom Database |
.LRLIB | Adobe Lightroom CC Library File |
.LRLIBRARY | Adobe Lightroom Library |
.LRMODULE | Adobe Lightroom Module |
.LRPLUGIN | Adobe Lightroom Classic Plug-in |
.LRPREVIEW | Adobe Lightroom Preview File |
.LRSMCOL | Adobe Lightroom Smart Collection Settings File |
.LRTOOLKIT | Adobe Lightroom Toolkit |
.LRWEBENGINE | Adobe Lightroom Web Gallery File |
.TIFF | Tagged Image File Format |