In the run up to NAB 2026, Blackmagic Design announced DaVinci Resolve 21. The new version of the software adds more AI tools along with over 70 new graphics for Fusion. However, the headline new feature is the addition of a Photo page for color grading still photos.
New Photo page
With the new Photo page in Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve 21, you can import and manage your photographs. It has tools so you can reframe and crop images at their original source resolution and aspect ratio. You can then use the Color page for node-based color grading along with tools such as AI Magic Mask. There is also a LightBox view so you can see your entire album with grades applied.
You can tether a Sony or Canon camera directly to DaVinci Resolve for live image capture. This means you can adjust ISO, exposure, white balance, monitor with live view and save capture presets as well.
AI tools for focus
DaVinci Resolve 21 adds a host of new AI tools. With AI CineFocus, you can define the focal point of a shot, including adjusting the aperture and focal range to change the depth of field. You can even keyframe parameters to add rack focus. There is also AI UltraSharpen for upscaled videos or to improve and even fix slight focus errors. In addition, you can remove motion blur artifacts, such as streaks and softness, from your video using AI Motion Deblur. It’s great for cleaning up slow motion or freeze frame effects.
AI tools for faces
With the AI Face Age Transformer tool, you can analyze your subject’s face and add their age. You can then adjust the age offset slider to add or remove age-related features, such as wrinkles and facial fullness. The AI Face Reshaper also changes the shape and position of the facial features on a moving subject.
Additionally, the AI Blemish Removal tool can reduce the appearance of superficial skin imperfections such as acne, discoloration, spots and pores.
AI tools for editing
DaVinci Resolve 21 has added AI tools to help speed up and streamline your editing process. AI Slate ID will automatically detect your slate clapperboard details and extract them as metadata. Also, AI IntelliSearch can analyze the content of your media. You can then search for people, objects, or key words in dialogue. AI IntelliSearch will even find individual faces as well.
Immersive video
Blackmagic Design says that DaVinci Resolve 21 features the most comprehensive support for immersive tools and workflows to date. You can work with any supported immersive formats for delivery to platforms, such as Meta Quest and YouTube VR. With the new version of the program, you can also orient immersive media using spherical Panomap rotation for more intuitive pitch, tilt, pan, yaw and roll adjustments. Plus, you can apply ILPD retargeting data in the Fusion page, for more advanced stereoscopic media handling and compositing.
Other improvements
IntelliScript in DaVinci Resolve 21 now supports Final Draft and plain text screenplay formats. Once you import your script, Resolve compares the text to the original transcribed audio and creates a cut of the scene. With the new Picture in Picture Resolve FX, you can quickly resize and reposition a video clip over the top of another clip as a floating frame. The Krokodove toolset adds over 70 new graphics to Fusion as well.
The Fairlight Animator modifier connects Fusion to Fairlight’s audio engine. This enables automatic animation based on audio analysis, including control of parameters such as eyes and lips for dynamic animation. For a full list of new and improved features, check out the DaVinci Resolve webpage.
What we think
DaVinci Resolve 21 delivers major new features and updates across all aspects of the software. This feature has only scratched the surface of the improvements. The Photo page will be welcomed by everyone who works with still images as well as video. AI tools such as AI CineFocus and UltraSharpen mean that you can apply creative changes and fixes to your video in ways previously not possible. In addition, AI Slate ID and AI IntelliSearch will make your editing life much easier. Incredibly, you can still get DaVinci Resolve for free if you want to try the program. Anyone who has ever bought a license for DaVinci Resolve Studio can also upgrade for free. In this age of software subscriptions, Blackmagic Design deserves huge praise for its continued support of the film and video making community.
Pricing and availability
The DaVinci Resolve 21 public beta is available now for download free of charge from the Blackmagic Design web site. There’s also a public beta version of DaVinci Resolve Studio 21 if you have a license for the software. Please be aware that, as these are still beta versions, there may be bugs and other issues. As a result, you should think carefully before using them on major projects.
