On paper, both programs sound very similar indeed. They offer similar effect filter (Warp, structuring Filter, Brush Strokes, etc.) and allow similar adjustments (Contrast / Brightness, Sharpen Filter, Blur, etc.). Both allow the user to combine photos to create HDR images to attach images together to create panoramas, and combine different group pictures to an image to get a group photo in which all look good. Both programs allow you to work with layers and layer masks, both support image processing of images in RAW format, a cataloging to have an overview of all own images, a 64-bit processing *** and many other functions.
Photoshop Elements has some nice features like 'content aware' tools to move objects from one place to another in the picture, which I have not found any similar function in Paint Shop Pro. Nevertheless, the two programs are very similar.
BUT:
The two programs differ substantially in the implementation. Paint Shop Pro is significantly slower when you run adjustments, you can not see before you is not the slider lets go, the one who carried out the adjustments the effect of adjustments. In other words, you have to make many small changes that are repeatedly interrupted them, a couple of seconds to wait for the changes to become visible. This makes working with Paint Shop Pro extremely frustrating.
In addition occur when working with Paint Shop Pro again on minor issues. For example, I tried to adjust the position of an object, being gone half the picture for a moment, then reappeared. Even when the program was trying to upgrade itself, there were error messages (I had more success when I downloaded the patch directly from the Corel Web site).
I experienced none of these problems with Photoshop Elements. Although the functions of both programs are very similar so I can say with conviction that Photoshop Elements 12 is a much better product than Paint Shop Pro X6 Ultimate.
*** You need a 64-bit version of Windows in order to install the 64-bit version of Paint Shop Pro can. Otherwise, the slower 32-bit version is installed. To find out if you have the 32- or the 64-bit version of Windows, click simultaneously on the 'Windows' key and the 'Pause' button.
