Comparison

Affinity Photo 2 for iPad vs Imaging Console

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Affinity Photo 2 for iPad

A professional-grade photo editor for iPad, offering advanced tools for editing, retouching, and creating complex designs. It supports a wide range of file formats and color spaces, with optimized performance for iPad hardware and Apple Pencil.

Highlights
  • Non-destructive editing
  • Advanced masking tools
  • RAW image development
  • Layer support
  • Object removal
  • PSD file compatibility
  • 16-bit and 32-bit color editing
Features
Read full description

The next generation of the iPad App of the Year, Affinity Photo 2 for iPad is a genuine desktop-grade, professional photo editor used by photographers, graphic designers, illustrators, artists, and other creators around the world. Wielding tons of incredible new features, hundreds of enhancements and a completely redesigned UI, the award-winning photo editing app has everything you need to edit images, retouch photos, create multi-layered art, beautiful raster paintings, designs, and so much more – no matter where you are. OPTIMIZED FOR IPAD • Fully integrated and optimized iPad gesture controls to speed up your workflow • iOS16 ready, including optimization for virtual memory swap, dramatically increasing performance on large documents • Sensitive to pressure, tilt, and angle, the app harnesses the full power and precision of Apple Pencil • Command controller hosting on-screen modifiers • Quick Menu for context-sensitive access to commands • Full iCloud drive integration for seamless file management, storage, and sharing • External display support with separate configuration options POWERFUL TOOLS & FUNCTIONALITY • Non-destructive RAW development of linked/embedded RAW images • Non-destructive Live Mesh Warp filter and other live effect layers • Luminosity, hue range, and band pass live masks • Compound masks • Multiple shadow, outline, and overlay layer effects per object • Normals adjustment for editing normal maps from material and texturing workflows • JPEG XL file import and export • OCIO v2 support – particularly useful for video editors, VFX, film, and 3D artists PERFORMANCE & POWER • Massive image support (100+ Megapixels) • Pan and zoom at maximum refresh rate • Open, edit, and save Adobe Photoshop ® PSD/PSB files • RGB, CMYK, Greyscale and LAB color spaces • Full 16-bit and linear unbounded 32-bit per channel editing • Work with all standard formats like PNG, TIFF, JPG, JPEG XL, GIF, SVG, EPS, EXR, HDR, and PDF UNSURPASSED PRODUCTIVITY • Full support for unlimited layers, layer groups, adjustment layers, filter layers, and masks • Edit live filters, adjustments, effects, blend modes, and masks non-destructively • Remove objects or erase backgrounds with magic eraser tool, blur photos, add filters for pictures, cut, crop, and more with ease • Savable history with alternate futures • Customizable shortcuts with attached keyboard or new quick menu • Isolate, edit, and duplicate spare channels with a simple touch • Link layers to edit simultaneously • Stitch picture-perfect panoramas on location PROFESSIONAL IMAGE PROCESSING • Open RAW in a dedicated 16-bit development workspace and edit straight from your camera • Adjust exposure, blackpoint, clarity, vibrance, white balance, shadows, highlights, etc. • Advanced lens corrections including chromatic aberration, defringe, vignette, and noise reduction • Paint areas or use fully customizable gradients to mask adjustments • View histograms, blown highlights, shadows, and tones as well as detailed EXIF information • Focus Merge, HDR Merge, and Tone Mapping for advanced image processing QUALITY RETOUCHING & CORRECTION TOOLS • Intuitive selection brush and refinement for precise selections like strands of hair • Dodge, burn, clone, patch, blemish, red eye, advanced inpainting, and object removal • Smooth and retouch skin with built-in frequency separation • Dedicated Liquify persona gives freehand control over warps, twirls, pinch, punch, and turbulence ADVANCED BRUSH ENGINE • Huge library of painting, drawing, textures, and professional DAUB® Brushes included • Create custom brushes and nozzles with full control over advanced dynamics FAST, CUSTOMIZABLE EFFECTS • Massive collection of effects available, including blurs, distortions, tilt-shift, shadows, glows, lighting, and many more • Swipe-able split or mirrored screen always available for before and after views • Path text capabilities

About

Imaging Console

This app offers professional control, monitoring, and file transfer for Nikon Z series cameras. It supports multi-camera workflows, advanced live view tools, and rapid transfer with metadata attachment. Optimize your shooting and post-production with custom LUTs and flexible export options.

Highlights
  • Multi-camera control
  • Professional live view monitoring
  • In-camera file management
  • Rapid file transfer with metadata
  • Custom LUT import and preview
  • LivePhoto generation and export
Features
Read full description

Imaging Console is a professional third-party camera control, monitoring, and file transfer application compatible with Nikon Z series mirrorless cameras and cinema cameras. **Compatibility** Expeed 7 models (Z9, Z8, ZR, Z6III, Z5II, Zf, Z50II) are fully compatible and support all app features. Expeed 6 models (Z5, Z6, Z7, Z6II, Z7II, Z50, Z30, Zfc) do not support group functions. For wireless connections: use "Connect to Smart Device" for control, monitoring, and in‑camera file access; use "Connect to Computer" for control and monitoring only. Important Notice Imaging Console is independently developed and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, authorized by, or associated with Nikon Corporation, RED Digital Cinema, or their affiliated companies. References to Nikon, RED, and related product names are used solely to identify compatible devices. Key Features Hybrid Connectivity Supports USB (MTP/PTP) and wireless (PTP/IP) connections, including camera hotspot, Wi-Fi, and mobile hotspot. Supports both single-camera and multi-camera workflows. Multi-Camera Control Manage and control multiple cameras wirelessly with synchronized photo capture, video recording, mixed capture modes, live monitoring, and synchronized operation for supported shooting modes. Professional Live View Monitor live video with touch focus and convenient camera parameter control. Includes professional monitoring tools such as LUT preview, false color, zebra, histogram, waveform, safe area, level indicator, and composition grids. In-Camera File Management Browse, review, download, protect, rate, and preview files with LUT support. Batch download and advanced filtering are supported. Voice memo management is available on supported flagship cameras. Rapid Transfer Workflow Automatically download newly captured files—or mark selected files as protected on the camera to send them directly to Imaging Console. Choose Gallery, Photos, or Files as the destination, automatically attach GPS, IPTC, and copyright metadata, and support cardless shooting workflows. Review, edit, and deliver selected content faster without interrupting camera operation. LUT & Image Optimization Import custom LUTs and optimization profiles for live preview, in-camera file browsing, post-capture preview, and library viewing. LivePhoto generation and export Supports flexible export from in‑camera video files or imported gallery videos, with HDR preservation and automatic GPS location tagging. Imaging Console is designed to provide photographers, filmmakers, and professional creators with a reliable and efficient camera control workflow.

Screenshots

Imaging Console4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Affinity Photo 2 for iPad at Free against Imaging Console's $19.99. Affinity Photo 2 for iPad also leads on ratings volume (3.3K vs 5) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). Imaging Console's advantage is review sentiment (86% vs 43%) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). On ads, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Affinity Photo 2 for iPad is free to download; Imaging Console costs $19.99 up front. Affinity Photo 2 for iPad sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Imaging Console asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Imaging Console holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Affinity Photo 2 for iPad has 3.3K ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 43% of Affinity Photo 2 for iPad's written reviews are positive against 86% of Imaging Console's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Affinity Photo 2 for iPad ships an update every 6 weeks, Imaging Console every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on November 12, 2026 and November 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Affinity Photo 2 for iPad versus Imaging Console: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAffinity Photo 2 for iPadImaging Console
PriceFree — better$19.99
Rating4.6 (3.3K ratings)5.0 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews43.0% of reviews86.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings3.3K — better5
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size1.7 GB157 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSerif (Europe) Ltd.栋 张

Customer experience

Affinity Photo 2 for iPad

All ratings2,131 ratings
Positive89.4%
Neutral3.1%
Negative7.5%
Written reviews358 reviews
Positive43.0%
Neutral12.0%
Negative45.0%

Imaging Console

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews37 reviews
Positive86.5%
Neutral2.7%
Negative10.8%

Bugs and requests

Affinity Photo 2 for iPad

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Crashes when adjusting white balance
  • Issues with importing and opening photos
  • Brush tools not working as expected
  • Layers and masks not functioning properly
  • Exporting issues causing loss of work

Requested features

5 requests
  • Auto subject selection
  • Improved help and documentation
  • Better file management and export options
  • Support for more RAW formats
  • Astrophotography tools like the desktop version

Imaging Console

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Affinity Photo 2 for iPad

One-time1
  • Photo 2 for iPad LicenseFree
None

Imaging Console

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Affinity Photo 2 for iPad free?
Affinity Photo 2 for iPad is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Imaging Console free?
Imaging Console costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Affinity Photo 2 for iPad or Imaging Console?
Imaging Console is rated higher. Affinity Photo 2 for iPad averages 4.6 out of 5 from 3.3K ratings, while Imaging Console averages 5.0 from 5 ratings.
Do Affinity Photo 2 for iPad or Imaging Console have ads?
Neither Affinity Photo 2 for iPad nor Imaging Console shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Affinity Photo 2 for iPad or Imaging Console?
Affinity Photo 2 for iPad ships an update every 6 weeks, and Imaging Console every 3 days. Most recently, Affinity Photo 2 for iPad was updated on November 12, 2026 and Imaging Console on November 9, 2026.

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