Best video editing software in 2023
Having access to the best video editing software is incredibly important if you produce video content regularly. Whether you’re an amateur filmmaker, an experienced enthusiast, or an established cinematographer, having the right tools at your disposal is vital to achieving the outcome you need.
The best video editing software options are now more powerful than ever before, providing everything you need to produce professional video content, from special effects and filters to grading and audio production tools, while allowing you to optimize your workflow.
However, even the highest level software applications are designed to be user friendly, even to amateurs, often featuring tutorials and accessible UIs. Nor do you need to be put off by price, as most of the options on our list come in at less than $100.
After testing a number of programs, we think that Adobe Premiere Elements 2022 is the best video editing software for most people. Although it’s missing some newer technologies, such as 360-degree video and multicam editing, it’s got an intuitive interface and a gentle learning curve. That said, it’s got plenty of advanced features, so professionals will also feel right at home.
That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the only option for you, though, so to help you make the right choice, we’ve tested a range of products to evaluate their features, tool sets, ease of use and value for money. Without further ado, read on to find out our picks of the best video editing software.
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The best video editing software in 2023: Top Picks
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These are our top three picks for the title of best video editor in 2023. However, there are more to choose from than just these three, and others may suit your needs better. Read on to see the whole list.
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1. Adobe Premiere Pro (opens in new tab)
Premiere Pro is our pick of the best video editing software overall. It’s the video editing program used by professionals the world over, thanks to its user-friendly interface and best-in-class feature set. However, because of its price (Premiere Pro starts at $20.99 per month), it’s best for those who plan to do a lot of video editing and some people may find Premiere Elements 2022 (below) to be a better fit.
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2. CyberLink PowerDirector 365 (opens in new tab)
This video editor is less expensive than Premier Pro, but still has a wealth of cutting-edge features. It’s a great choice, especially if you’re a Windows user. (The new Mac version is good, but lacks the complete feature-set). PowerDirector 365 starts at $51.99 for an annual subscription.
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3. Corel VideoStudio Ultimate (opens in new tab)
Corel VideoStudio Ultimate is powerful but easy-to-learn, and can be used to create simple videos without fuss. That’s not to say Corel VideoStudio Ultimate doesn’t have a great feature-set: it supports a huge array of tools for when you’re ready to make more complex videos. Corel VideoStudio Ultimate costs $99.99.
The best video editing software you can buy today
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1. Adobe Premiere Elements 2022
The best video editing software for most people
Our expert review:
Specifications
Compatible with:
Mac, PC
Minimum system requirements:
Windows 10 (64-bit), 8GB RAM, 6.7GB hard disk space; MacOS 10.15, 8GB RAM, 8GB hard disk space
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Reasons to buy
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Comparatively easy to use
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A great learning tool
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Powerful tools
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New social media outputs
Reasons to avoid
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No 360-degree or VR support
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No multicam support
When it comes to user-friendliness, sophisticated features and ways to output your video, the best video editing software for most people is the cross-platform Adobe Premiere Elements 2022.
The program uses Adobe’s Sense.ai artificial intelligence to make it easier to perform edits. Its Guided Edits feature remains a great tool for demystifying the entire process for novice filmmakers, and there’s now additional support for 4K resolutions and stabilized video, plus tools for selective edits, double-exposure video, and real-time effects. The 2022 version also adds new outputs for social media, video reframing and support for vertical videos.
However, it still lacks features such as 360-degree video editing, or support for multicam editing. But Adobe’s program is the most well-rounded of all the video editing software we’ve tested.
Read our full Adobe Premiere Elements 2022 review.
Cyberlink PowerDirector 365
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At long last, CyberLink PowerDirector is available for Mac as well as Windows users, bringing a dazzling array of fun, advanced video editing features wrapped in a stunning, easy-to-use package to a new audience.
CyberLink offers several versions of PowerDirector: PowerDirector Ultra ($99) and PowerDirector Ultimate ($139) are one-time purchases, while PowerDirector 365 ($69.99/year is a subscription model that comes with Shutterstock integration, unlimited access to CyberLink’s background music and video editing plugins. (You can find a full comparison here (opens in new tab)).
One reason Mac users may want to stick with another program is that the Windows version of PowerDirector 365 has more features and tools than the Mac version. For example, there’s no support for importing 360 photos and videos. But there’s still enough else here to keep many intrigued.
Read our full review of CyberLink PowerDirector 365.
Corel VideoStudio Ultimate
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3. Corel VideoStudio Ultimate
Great video editing software for novices on Windows
Our expert review:
Specifications
Compatible with:
Windows
Minimum system requirements:
Windows 7 (64 bit); Processor: Core i3 or AMD A4 series; Memory: 4 GB (8+ GB highly recommended); Display resolution: 1024 x 768
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Reasons to buy
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Extensive 360-degree-editing features
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Split-screen video facilitates elaborate video collages
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Broad 3D-text support
Reasons to avoid
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Windows only
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Interface isn’t very customizable
Corel has long been a competitor to Adobe for video editing software, and continues that rivalry with VideoStudio Ultimate, an outstanding editing package for beginners on the Windows platform.
VideoStudio is a powerful but easy-to-learn app for anyone who wants to make simple videos quickly without fussing around with complex controls. Its spare but inviting interface offers a huge array of tools, including 4K support, 360-degree video editing, multicam support, more than 2,000 effects, enhanced lens-correction tools, and 3D text editing. Our biggest issue is that it’s Windows-only and you can’t customize your workspace as easily as you can with other programs.
Read our full Corel VideoStudio Ultimate review.
Apple iMovie
(Image credit: Apple)
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4. Apple iMovie
Best video editing software for novice Mac users
Our expert review:
Specifications
Compatible with:
Mac
Minimum system requirements:
macOS 10.14.6; 2GB of RAM (4GB recommended); OpenCL-capable graphics card; 1280 x 800-pixel display
Visit Site
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Reasons to buy
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Simple interface
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Abundant audio tools
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Supports 4K
Reasons to avoid
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Lacks multicam, motion tracking and 360-degree features
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Mac only
Apple iMovie is the best video editing software for novice filmmakers on Macs, combining professional trailers and themes, abundant special effects and an easy-to-learn interface. In addition, it’s free, so this is a great place to start, or if you need to do simple video edits. iMovie now supports 4K editing and sharing, as well as extended handling to video shot at 1080p and 60 fps. Recent updates tweaked the interface and added Touch Bar support for the latest MacBooks.
One of the other benefits of iMovie is that you can work on the same project on either a Mac laptop or desktop, then switch over to your iPad to continue your editing. It’s a very handy feature for those who need the flexibility.
Read our full Apple iMovie review.
Hitfilm Express
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5. HitFilm Express
Best free video editor
Our expert review:
Specifications
Compatible with:
Mac, Windows
Minimum system requirements:
Windows 8 (64-bit), Mac OS 10.13 Sierra
Visit Site
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Reasons to buy
+
Customizable interface
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Drag and drop special effects are easy to apply
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Cross platform
Reasons to avoid
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New users must pay to switch to the dark interface
Hitfilm Express is one of the best value packages among the best video editing software, not just because it’s free to start, but also because you can add on more features at reasonable prices. The program is compatible with both Macs and PCs, and also supports discrete Nvidia and AMD GPUs for threaded rendering and decoding.
Our favorite new tool of Hitfilm Express is auto-stabilization, which helps smooth out shaky footage. Other new features include WAV audio exports, a crop and pan/zoom effect, a GoPro FX reference effect, a color adjustment effect. While Hitfilm Express can be a little intimidating for beginners, we like its low cost to entry and affordable and scalable features.
Read our full Hitfilm Express review.
Lightworks
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6. Lightworks
A full-featured video editing program used by the pros
Our expert review:
Specifications
Compatible with:
Windows 7/8/10, Mac, Linux
Reasons to buy
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Free with paid upgrade
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Basic and advanced features
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Good performance
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Active user forum
Reasons to avoid
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Export options limited to 720p in free guise
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Steep learning curve for newcomers
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No built-in Help
If you want proof of the regard in which Lightworks is held, consider that the Pro version has been used to create multiple award-winning movies including Pulp Fiction, The Wolf of Wall Street and Jerry Maguire.
Even the free version has a wide range of fairly advanced tools, including some impressive audio-editing options, VFX, color adjustments and more. Against that, output maxes out at 720p — which may work if you’re just making a home movie to share with relatives, but not for anything more serious.
Upgrade to the Pro version for $24/month or $240/year and you’ll unlock 4K output plus a raft of other features including to the Boris Graffiti plugin, extra import features, advanced project sharing, timeline rendering and more. Or, for a one-off fee of $390, you can buy it outright and get all of the above plus Boris FX.
The interface may take a little getting used to compared to some programs, but it’s still simple enough for a novice to master with a little help from the many tutorials and as a further bonus it works with almost every platform, including Windows, Mac and Linux.
Read our full Lightworks review.
VideoPad
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7. VideoPad
Best video editing software for YouTubers
Our expert review:
Specifications
Compatible with:
Windows, Mac OS
VideoPad Home Edition
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$39.95
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Reasons to buy
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Easy to use and learn
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Support for 360-degree video creation
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Extensive output and sharing features
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Works on Macs and PCs
Reasons to avoid
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Annoying notifications in free version
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Windows version has more features than Mac version
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Auto speech to text subtitling feature works poorly
VideoPad is fairly unusual among the best video editing software programs in that it works on both Macs and PCs, which broadens its appeal and reach. However, there are more features available for the Windows version than the Mac version.
You can download a non-commercial version of VideoPad for free, but you’ll have to put up with some annoying notifications. A Home Edition ($39) and Master’s Edition ($69) get rid of those, and offer more features, such as unlimited audio tracks and plugins.
While VideoPad lacks the flashy, whiz-bang appeal of some commercial apps, it’s still a rock-solid choice for simple video editing. The app offers a number of YouTube choices ranging from 480p to 4K, as well as Facebook, Flickr, Dropbox and Google Drive.
Read our full VideoPad review.
Final Cut Pro X
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8. Final Cut Pro X
One of the best video editors for professional Mac users
Our expert review:
Specifications
Compatible with:
MacOS
Reasons to buy
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Subscription-free
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Very intuitive interface
+
Fits into the larger Apple ecosystem
Reasons to avoid
–
No Windows version
–
No stabilization / motion tracking for 360º
Final Cut Pro X (opens in new tab) and Adobe Premiere Pro are pretty much neck and neck when it comes to feature-rich, professional-level video editing. Both are industry leaders, and it’s hard to say that one is better than the other overall. However, there are some important differences.
One of those is the pricing model. Unlike Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro isn’t subscription-based. However, it does come with a bit of a hefty price tag. While in the long run it’s certainly cheaper than shelling out each month for a subscription, some users may be hesitant to commit to spending such a large sum. Fortunately, Final Cut Pro also comes with a free 90-day trial, so you’ll have time to play around before making any decisions.
While Premiere Pro works beautifully with Creative Cloud (and if that’s your primary workspace, then we recommend Adobe’s video editing software), Final Cut Pro fits perfectly into the larger Apple ecosystem. It’s built to take advantage of Metal for wicked-fast graphics, and is optimized for Mac Pro.
There’s no shortage of advanced features, like the Magnetic Timeline, range-of-effect options, and intelligent Smart Conform cropping, which follows dominant motion on screen to ensure nothing essential gets cut. It’s smart, fast, and built for Mac. Unless you’re wed to Creative Cloud, Final Cut Pro has a lot to offer.
Pinnacle Studio
(Image credit: Pinnacle Studio)
9. Pinnacle Studio
Fast and feature-rich video editing with a clean new interface.
View at Pinnacle
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Reasons to buy
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Much improved, clean interface
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Fast and feature-rich
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Audio tools
Reasons to avoid
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Windows only
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Sometimes buggy in use
Pinnacle Studio (opens in new tab) comes to us from the same makers of VideoStudio Ultimate, graphics and media heavy-hitter Corel, so it should come as no surprise that it’s made our list of the best video editing software. It’s built for a more professional audience than VideoStudio and includes support for multicam video, stop-motion video, motion tracking, 360-degree VR, and 4K video.
Recent updates have brought a much cleaner interface, and the software is now easy and enjoyable to use, although we occasionally ran into some buggy or slow behavior. An initial Home screen includes helpful tutorials, news and feature updates, and add-ons. Three additional modes, Import, Edit, and Export, include all the tools you need to create professional-looking videos.
Pinnacle also boasts impressive rendering speeds and a large library of effects, plus good audio editing tools. Professional editors will be happy to find a range of pro features, like video masking, clip nesting, LUT presets, and batch processing.
Fans of Corel will feel right at home with Pinnacle’s newly polished look and wide array of pro-level features.
Filmora9
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10. Filmora9
Simplicity and usability take centre stage with Filmora9
Filmora Annual
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$39.99
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Filmora Lifetime
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$59.99
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Filmora Unlimited
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$99.87
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at Wondershare
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Reasons to buy
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Simple and intuitive to use
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Low price
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A variety of effects & filters
Reasons to avoid
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No motion tracking
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No support for DVD menus or chaptering
Filmora9 (opens in new tab) by Wondershare is one of the best video editing software apps for enthusiastic amateurs and those just starting out. It has a simple, clean, and intuitive interface that’s easy to understand and navigate, and plenty of effects and filters that can be easily applied to footage (YouTubers rejoice). The royalty-free sound library, with effects and music, makes it easy to add emotion and flair.
It lacks many of the pro features you’ll find in Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere Pro, like support for motion tracking, multicam, or VR, but then it’s not made for the same audience or level of knowledge. It also doesn’t carry a professional price tag. There’s a fully-featured free version (with watermark), and the full version costs just $59.99, with no watermark and full user support.
If you’re just getting started with video editing and want to learn the ropes with a super-simple but powerful app that won’t break the bank, Filmora9 is a great option.
DaVinci Resolve
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11. DaVinci Resolve 17
Best video editing software for advanced enthusiasts
Our expert review:
Specifications
Compatible with:
Windows, Mac, Linux
Minimum system requirements:
PCs: Windows 10; Memory: 16GB; GPU: OpenCL 1.2 or CUDA 10 support, 2GB VRAM. Macs: macOS 10.14.6; Memory: 16GB; GPU: OpenCL 1.2 or Metal support, 2GB VRAM. Linux: CentOS 7.3; Memory: 32GB; Discrete GPU with at least 2GB of VRAM and support for OpenCL 1.2 or CUDA 10
Visit Site
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Reasons to buy
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Cross platform for Mac, Windows and Linux
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Intuitive interface for most routine functions
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Exquisitely deep app for color grading, compositing and audio production
Reasons to avoid
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Steep learning curve
A powerful pro-level, cross platform app, you’ll want to use DaVinci Resolve on a system with discrete graphics to get the most out of this video editor. The latest version of DaVinci incorporates Fusion, previously a stand-alone application, which brings with it four high-end video-production modules for editing, color correction, audio production, and video effects and motion graphics.
DaVinci is quite powerful, but has a bit of a learning curve. If its 256-page manual doesn’t intimidate you, high-level enthusiasts will find a lot of tools at their disposal.
DaVinci Resolve is now on version 17, and the latest build includes a major upgrade to Fairlight, its audio editing workspace. It also gives free users the ability to collaborate on a project simultaneously — something that you previously had to pay for. Previous versions have included the addition of a Neural Engine that uses machine learning for such things as facial recognition and speed warp and it also has a new Cut Page, a streamlined interface for editors who need to turn projects around quickly.
Read our full DaVinci Resolve 17 review.
How to choose the best video editing software for you
Free or Fee?
There’s no reason for the occasional video jockey to fork over any cash, as there are plenty of free apps available for both Windows and Mac. In fact we also have a list of the best free video editing software. But while the deciding factors for free and paid software may appear to be based on cold hard cash, that’s not the whole story.
People who are looking for a more powerful editor with a variety of built-in resources, responsive technical support and more would be better off dropping some cash on something from this list of the best video editing software.
However, there’s a third option: you can download software such as VideoPad or HitFilm (which offer all of the basics) for free, and then purchase additional features à la carte as your experience and needs grow.
How we test video editing software
In order to compile our list of the best video editing software, we tested more than a dozen programs — paid and free — on consumer Mac and Windows laptops for more than 100 hours, to see which are the best for editing, as well as sharing your videos with friends and family.
We evaluated all of the software based on functionality, ease of use, performance, sharing options and new features in the latest versions. We also judged the packages based on real-life uses for a number of categories, including best overall, best free app, best for beginners, best for YouTube maestros, best for Mac users and best for Windows platforms.
Performance results are important, but they’re not critical components of software evaluations, because depending on your hardware setup, your mileage will vary. By comparison, ease of use, interface and features carry more weight than export clock speed. Nonetheless, as a single measure among many, speed testing provides valuable comparative information.
As several of the programs on this page have been updated with newer versions since their initial review, we are currently in the process of re-testing them. At the same time, we are upgrading our testing platforms, from laptops with integrated graphics to those with discrete GPUs. This will better reflect the improvement in performance from apps that can take advantage of discrete graphics cards. Stay tuned for the results — we’ll update this list of the best video editing software once we have them.
We have a wide range of buying guides to help you make the right decisions. If you’re not keen on paying for your software just yet, why not read our guide to the best free video editing software. For workflows on the move, we also have a guide to the best video editing apps. If you’re also looking to edit stills, make sure you check out our photography guides, including the best photo editing software, best free photo editing software and best photo editing apps. Need somewhere to store all those large RAW files? You’ll want to read our guide to the best photo storage and sharing sites. And if you want to upgrade your gear, make sure you read our round up of the best cameras you can buy today.
