2019 iMac 5K: Zerene Stacker Focus Stacking

MPG tested the 2019 iMac 5K 3.6 GHz Intel Core i9 8-core / 128GB / 2TB / Radeon Vega 48. Purchase with 8GB memory, then add 64GB or 128GB OWC memory. See recommended Macs for photographers and videographers.

These tests made possible by loaner gear from B&H Photo and OWC, so please buy your gear at B&H Photo and OWC/MacSales.com using any link from this site or MacPerformanceGuide.com, ditto for OWC/MacSales.com. See also 2019 iMac 5K: Recommended Models and Accessories.

Unsure which Mac to get or how to configure it? Consult with Lloyd.

About

2019 iMac 5K

I use Zerene Stacker heavily for focus stacking and it takes minutes to do some stacks, so speed here matters a lot to me. Since I stack mostly with the DMAP method, this test is most appropriate to my own work.

Results

The latest optimized build of Zerene Stack delivers oustanding gains from more CPU cores, with the 2017 iMac 5K taking 2.1X longer than the 2019 iMac 5K. Big win for the 2019 iMac 5K!

This stack uses 20 16-bit 45-megapixel images from the Nikon D850. See Nikon D850 'Focus Shift shooting' feature for Easy Focus Stacking.

2019 iMac 5K vs 2017 iMac 5K: focus stacking in Zerene Stacker
"Vega64" should read "Vega48"

CLICK TO VIEW: Recommended 2019 iMac 5K (buy OWC memory separately)

2019 iMac 5K