Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 7, 2026

Capture NX

Capture NX is an image editing application developed by Nik Software in partnership with Nikon for macOS and Microsoft Windows.

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Capture NX
DeveloperNik Software
Initial releaseFebruary 21, 2006
Websiteimaging.nikon.com/lineup/software/capturenx/index.htm
Capture NX 2
DeveloperNik Software
Initial releaseJune 3, 2008
Final release
2.4.7 / October 1, 20141
Websiteimaging.nikon.com/lineup/software/capturenx2/
Capture NX-D
DeveloperIchikawa Soft Laboratory Co. Ltd
Initial releaseJuly 15, 2014
Final release
1.6.5 / March 2, 20212
Operating systemWindows 8 or later; OS X Yosemite or later
WebsiteArchived July 14, 2020, at the Wayback Machine

Capture NX is an image editing application developed by Nik Software in partnership with Nikon3 for macOS and Microsoft Windows.

In September 2012, Google acquired Nik Software.4 Capture NX remained branded as a Nikon product.5

In July 2014, Nikon released Capture NX-D to succeed Capture NX 2. As such, the Nikon D810 is the first camera6 to support only Capture NX-D. Capture NX-D was developed based on SILKYPIX Developer Studio7 and does not contain the U-Point technology from Nik Software.

On June 6, 2022, Nikon announced that Capture NX 2 and Capture NX-D would be discontinued and replaced by NX Studio.89 Download links for both programs were removed on June 30, 2022.

Features of both Capture NX products

  • Complete raw image format support from import to export (for supported cameras), including Nikon's own RAW format NEF (Nikon Electronic File).
  • Non-destructive image editing.
  • Color management control with Soft Proofing.
  • Color Aberration Control, D-Lighting (High Speed/High Quality), Image Dust Off, Vignette Control and Fisheye-to-Rectilinear Image Transformation.
  • Noise Reduction: global or selective adjustments.
  • Color Balance, Contrast/Brightness, Saturation/Warmth.
  • Lens correction tools, such as chromatic aberration or distortion control.
  • Auto Retouch Brush, to remove blemishes and dust from images. (not in Capture NX-D V 1.0 but will be added later)
  • Shadow/Highlight Adjustment, to open up shadows or recover blown out highlights.
  • Improved Edit List, to apply common editings like auto color aberration, auto red-eye correction, vignette control, tone curves, contrast and highlight, exposure compensation and shadow protection.
  • Filters, Ratings and Sorting Toolbar.

Features of Capture NX-D only

  • All changes are saved to a Sidecar File in subfolder NKS_PARAM.

Features of Capture NX only

  • All changes are saved to the NEF file.
  • Color Control Point editing for hue, brightness and saturation.
  • Selection Control Points, selectively edit photographs without the need to manually outline or mask the area for editing.
  • Plug-In Interface for Nik Color Efex Pro
  • Ability to use Dust Off Reference photo created by some Nikon DSLR's to automatically remove dust from images
See also

See also

External links
References

References

  1. "Nikon | Download center | News". Archived from the original on July 4, 2018. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  2. "Nikon | Download center | News". Archived from the original on November 20, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  3. "Interview with Keita Kimura". imaging.nikon.com. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  4. Lardinois, Frederic (September 17, 2012). "Google Acquires Nik Software, The Company Behind The Popular Snapseed Photo Editing App For iOS". techcrunch.com. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  5. "Capture NX 2 Photo Editing Software". nikonusa.com. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  6. "No NX2 support for the D810". Flickr Groups. July 6, 2014.
  7. "Capture NX-Downgrade? Nikon improves multiple monitor support, but loses U-Point control". www.imaging-resource.com. February 25, 2014. Archived from the original on March 2, 2014. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  8. "Nikon Japan says it's discontinuing its ViewNX-2, ViewNX-i, Capture NX2 and Capture NX-D software". DPReview. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  9. Schneider, Jaron (June 7, 2022). "Nikon is Dropping Support for ViewNX and Capture NX Programs". PetaPixel. Retrieved December 31, 2022.