What matters most when choosing a mouse for photo editing?
Asked 5/14/2012
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2 answers
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I'm replacing an old mouse and want to know which features actually matter for photo editing. Is high DPI important, or are ergonomics, precision, buttons, or other factors more relevant? I'm also open to alternatives like trackballs or tablets if they're better suited to editing work.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
8
For photo editing and other drawing work I would prefer to use a tablet rather than a mouse. With a tablet you use absolute positioning, i.e. the cursor on screen always appears at the location you point to on the tablet; with a mouse, it appears at the location you move to. This makes it far easier to draw freehand. Tablets are also pressure sensitive, so you can use it like brush or similar tool that changes shape as you apply pressure. Wacom are the main supplier of tablets. They come in different sizes, with different features and prices to match. At 200 points/mm even a small tablet has more than enough resolution for anything you're likely to do. Some even have an LCD display built in, so it's as if you're drawing directly onto the photo. Prices are typically about 10 times higher than a mouse though.
Until you get familiar with the tablet, you may want to use it alongside a mouse, and use the mouse for normal Windows things. Your old mouse should tide you over until the tablet becomes second nature.
Originally by user9783. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user9783
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
For photo editing, raw DPI is usually not the most important factor. Precision, comfort, and how naturally you can control the pointer matter more.
Key points:
- Ergonomics and fit: choose something that feels comfortable for long sessions and matches your hand and working style.
- Control/precision: what matters most is whether you can make small, accurate movements reliably.
- Try before you buy: this is highly personal, so testing different mice in person is ideal.
- Extra buttons/features: useful only if they fit your workflow; they can also get in the way.
Alternatives worth considering:
- Graphics tablet: often better than a mouse for retouching, masking, dodging/burning, and other brush-based work. Tablets use absolute positioning and often support pressure sensitivity, which can make editing more natural.
- Trackball: some editors prefer these for fine fingertip control and because they need little desk space.
So: prioritize comfort and precise control over headline DPI numbers, and consider a tablet if your editing involves detailed brush work.
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