The new Datacolor Spyder X Pro and Spyder X Elite monitor calibration tools are designed to make it as easy as possible to make sure that the colours on your monitor match the colours in your final output.
Spending time colour correcting your images only to find that your final output doesn’t match what you see on your monitor can be a frustrating experience.
Why does this happen? Well, it’s more than likely because you’ve never colour calibrated your monitor.
Monitor colour calibration is probably one of the most overlooked steps in a photographer’s or filmmakers post-production workflow process and yet, probably one of the most important.
Trying to colour calibrate your monitor using your computer’s built-in tools, is like attempting to give a cat a bath, in short, a painful experience.
That’s why products such as the Datacolor Spyder X should be an essential piece of kit in your post-production tool bag as they are designed to make the whole process as easy clicking a button.
Datacolor Spyder X – What you get out of the box
Both the Spyder X Pro and Elite use a lens-based colour engine (a first for the Spyder line) providing “significantly increased precision, colour accuracy and low light capabilities” over their predecessors.
Datacolor also states that these are their fastest monitor calibration tools to date, with it only taking a “minute or two” in most cases, to complete the process.
Spyder X Version Features
For: “Serious photographers and designers seeking a fast, accurate and easy-to use monitor calibration solution.”
- Single Click & Wizard Calibration
Capability – Yes - Multiple Monitor Support – Yes
- Ambient Light Monitoring & Profile
Switching – Yes - Before and After Calibration Review – Yes
- Display Mapping & Analysis Tools – Basic
- Calibration Setting Choices – 12
- Expert Console Calibration – No
- Video & Cinema Calibration Targets – No
- Soft Proof of Print Results – No
- Projector Calibration – No
- Display Matching in Studio – No
- Visual Fine Tuning for Side-by-Side
Display Match – No
For: “Expert and professional photographers and motion image-makers seeking
ultimate control of their colour workflow.”
- Single Click & Wizard Calibration
Capability – Yes - Multiple Monitor Support – Yes
- Ambient Light Monitoring & Profile
Switching – Yes - Before and After Calibration Review – Yes
- Display Mapping & Analysis Tools – Advanced
- Calibration Setting Choices – Unlimited
- Expert Console Calibration – Yes
- Video & Cinema Calibration Targets – Yes
- Soft Proof of Print Results – Yes
- Projector Calibration – Yes
- Display Matching in Studio – Yes
- Visual Fine Tuning for Side-by-Side
Display Match – Yes
As you can see above, both versions offer the same basic features: single click calibration, multiple monitor support, ambient light monitoring and profile switching and before and after calibration review.
However, the Spyder X Elite version does offer some additional features aimed at those who want or need an even greater level of control over the process including more advanced display mapping & analysis tools and unlimited calibration setting choices.
Other Spyder X Elite features include video & cinema calibration targets for motion editors, the ability to calibrate digital projectors, define a studio standard for all displays to be matched and tune side-by-side displays.
Should you buy a monitor calibration tool?
The short answer is yes. If you want your final images to looks their absolute best, you need properly calibrate your monitor on a regular basis.
Most photographers will only need the X Pro version as it offers everything you’ll need to get the job done.
However, if you’re at a more advanced level or a film editor, you’ll probably want to spend the extra money for the X Elite version to take advantage of the deeper level of control it will give you.
Datacolor SpyderX PRO SXP100 Calibration Tools
Advanced-featured monitor calibration for desktops and laptops, designed for serious photographers and designers seeking control within their colour workflow. The fastest, most accurate, easiest-to-use Spyder ever. – Vistek – Product Detail Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Missisauga Canada
Datacolor SpyderX ELITE SXE100 Calibration Tools
Full-featured, expert monitor calibration for desktops, laptops and projectors, designed for professional photographers and videographers seeking ultimate control within their colour workflow. The fastest, most accurate, easiest-to-use Spyder ever. – Vistek – Product Detail Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Mississauga Canada
