DxO has announced Nik Collection 9, introducing a range of new tools designed to give photographers more control over their editing while keeping the process straightforward.
The update, released on 21 April 2026, brings what the company describes as its most significant changes to date. The focus is on improving how photographers work with colour, masks and creative effects, while also refining the overall editing experience.
At the centre of this release are new AI-powered masking tools. Depth Masks allow users to adjust parts of an image based on distance from the camera, creating a depth map that helps target foreground or background areas more precisely. This can be done without needing any embedded depth data, which makes it a practical option for a wide range of images.
Alongside this, AI Masks make subject selection quicker. Photographers can click on a subject or draw a simple box to define an area, and the software handles the rest. The aim is to reduce the time spent on complex selections while still keeping control over the final result.
Colour grading has also been reworked. The new tool in Nik Color Efex uses a single colour wheel to adjust shadows, midtones and highlights, rather than requiring multiple panels. There is also the option to link colours together, so changes can be applied across tonal ranges in a more consistent way.
For those who enjoy experimenting, there are several new creative effects. Halation recreates the glow often seen in film photography, while Chromatic Shift introduces subtle colour misalignment inspired by print processes. A new Glass Effect adds distortion using different glass textures, offering another way to change the look of an image.
Blending modes have also been added, giving photographers more ways to control how edits interact with the original image. With 18 different modes available, the update opens up more combinations when working with existing filters and textures.
There are also a number of smaller workflow improvements. These include clearer mask overlays, previewing presets by hovering over them, and the ability to copy and paste local adjustments between images. Together, these changes are intended to make editing feel more fluid and less repetitive.
Nik Collection has been a familiar name for many photographers for years, and this update feels focused on keeping that experience relevant while introducing tools that reflect how people work today.
New licence: £149.99
Upgrade from version 7 or 8: £79.99
Available now for macOS and Windows via the DxO website. A 30-day free trial is also available. SheClickers can get 15% off DXO software using the code in our SheBenefits Section.
