Photoshop CS2 or CS3, what is diffrent?

djsilver666666 · May 1, 2007

I am going to buy a newer version of Photoshop (I have Elements 2.0) and I am not sure why CS3m is SO much more than CS2. Can somebody please give me a detailed comparison and a suggestion which way to go? I am mostly a sports and casual photographer so I am not looking to spend more than $200.

Suggestions?

jfriend · May 1, 2007

djsilver666666 wrote:

I am going to buy a newer version of Photoshop (I have Elements 2.0) and I am not sure why CS3m is SO much more than CS2. Can somebody please give me a detailed comparison and a suggestion which way to go? I am mostly a sports and casual photographer so I am not looking to spend more than $200.

Suggestions?

If the budget is maxed at $200, then Elements 5 ($79) or Paint Shop Pro ($69) are probably your best bets. Since you're already familiar with Elements, I would think that Elements 5 would be the logical choice.

Is there something specific that your existing version of Elements won't do that you are looking for?

CS2 and CS3 retail for about the same price (~$650) which isn't anywhere close to your budget. If you are seeing low prices on CS2, then that's because it's a clearance item that the store is getting rid of or it's just been devalued because the newer CS3 version is out already.

The other option that's in between these two is Photoshop Lightroom, but that is now $299, also above your budget.

djsilver666666 · May 1, 2007

I can get CS2 for about $130 through my work, is that a good choice? I understand that CS does a lot more than Elements.

colourbox · May 1, 2007

Here's just one of the detailed descriptions available on the Web.

jfriend · May 1, 2007

djsilver666666 wrote:

I can get CS2 for about $130 through my work, is that a good choice? I understand that CS does a lot more than Elements.

It depends. CS2 is more powerful and more complicated than Elements. Most users who are starting out with Elements only know how to use 5% of what's in Elements and would benefit more from learning how to use the other 95% of what's there than upgrading to a program with even more features.

If you have specific needs/features that you are looking for, we can help you determine if going to CS2 will give those to you. If you are just looking for more current technology and don't have any specific things you're looking for, then I'd suggest upgrading to Elements 5 and buying one or two good books on getting the most out of Elements and then working through those books. You can also go through the tutorials here on the dgrin site. In my opinion, that will be more helpful to your post processing skills than buying CS2.

damonff · May 1, 2007

CS3 is totally amazing. Of course, you can do pretty much the same stuff in Photoshop 7, it's just more work, and not as pretty. For an old hat, CS3 is sooooo very nice. Bridge CS3 alone is worth the change.

SimonTALM · May 2, 2007

Not sure on the answer to the original question - i.e. the differences in CS2 and CS3, although I am sure there is a comparison on the Adobe sales pages.

However CSx does have some big advantages over Elements even in less advances use when it comes to image processing and image management - I beleive the big one is the ability in CSx to have layers on 16bit images I have read that in Elements you can only have layers on 8bit images (16bit is always recommended for Monochrome pictures.

pathfinder · May 2, 2007

damonff wrote:

CS3 is totally amazing. Of course, you can do pretty much the same stuff in Photoshop 7, it's just more work, and not as pretty. For an old hat, CS3 is sooooo very nice. Bridge CS3 alone is worth the change.

And it loads a LOT faster than PSCS2 also!!

wxwax · May 2, 2007

Here's one person's list of CS3 improvements. Scroll down to the comments section below to get the abbreviated list, so you don't have to click through ten pages.

Here's another list, by the respected (but I think on the Adobe payroll) Scott Kelby.

Nikolai · May 2, 2007

CS3 vs CS2
If I may, it's like Canon 30D vs Canon 10D.
IOW, *way* better.

However, you probably need to be comfortable around CS2 and feel somewhat limited by it to really appreciate the CS3.

wxwax · May 2, 2007

Or on a Mac.

dogwood · May 2, 2007

My own experience-- in CS2 the camera raw conversions still required a curves tweak. The CS3 camera raw doesn't-- at least for me (I shoot a Canon 1D MKII and 5D). I never really liked CS2-- the raw presets and all that were a royal pain. The fill light and recovery in CS3 raw are also nice.

But... it all depends on how you shoot and what you hope to accomplish.

P.S. CS3 bridge for me crashes if I try to access files on a drive where CS3 isn't loaded... it worked fine in the beta. So that's a bit of pain, but not enough to keep me on CS2.

gus · May 2, 2007

Oh god.... Ive been avoiding this thread.

I was hoping the replys would be more neg towards CS3....like i need to buy more stuff. Its just never going to end is it

pathfinder · May 2, 2007

Nikolai wrote:

If I may, it's like Canon 30D vs Canon 10D.
IOW, *way* better.
However, you probably need to be comfortable around CS2 and feel somewhat limited by it to really appreciate the CS3.

I just really got CS3 after it was released, so I am a noob with it so far, but I am inclined to agree with Nik from the brief experience with it to date. A lot of improvements, but many that require a fairly sophisticated use of PSPC2 to really appreciate.

colourbox · May 2, 2007

dogwood wrote:

P.S. CS3 bridge for me crashes if I try to access files on a drive where CS3 isn't loaded... it worked fine in the beta. So that's a bit of pain, but not enough to keep me on CS2.

Just FYI - my entire photo library is on a drive that CS3 isn't loaded on, but Bridge CS3 works.

Nikolai · May 2, 2007

dogwood wrote:

CS3 bridge for me crashes if I try to access files on a drive where CS3 isn't loaded...

Pete, what do you mean by that? Like CS3 is on C: and pictures are on

?
I have same and worse, but no problem (not THAT problem, that is).

jdryan3 · May 2, 2007

gus wrote:

Oh god.... Ive been avoiding this thread.

I was hoping the replys would be more neg towards CS3....like i need to buy more stuff. Its just never going to end is it

:dgrin Nope, until Canon buys Adobe. Then we will have ACR in the 30mp 5Ds (and filter layers built into the lenses)

StevenV · May 2, 2007

gus wrote:

Oh god.... Ive been avoiding this thread.
I was hoping the replys would be more neg towards CS3....like i need to buy more stuff. Its just never going to end is it

I'm with you Gus, I'm still running CS and am barely ready to look around for a cheap copy of CS2

Photoshop CS2 or CS3, what is diffrent?

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