Given the high processing demands of the new AI tools, ensure your Lightroom catalog and Camera Raw cache are stored on a fast NVMe SSD to prevent bottlenecks during rendering.
Updating is straightforward, but there are a few caveats.
Launched in June 2023 as part of Adobe’s continuous creative cloud rollout, version 12.3 bridged a critical gap between the "Classic" desktop powerhouse and its modern, AI-driven siblings. While not a revolutionary version number on the surface, the 12.3 update introduced deep performance optimizations, game-changing masking features, and significant camera raw support that solidified Lightroom Classic’s throne as the undisputed king of photo management.
Adobe Lightroom Classic version 12.3, released in April 2023, introduced several transformative updates, most notably a sophisticated AI-powered Denoise tool that significantly changed raw photo processing workflows Key Feature Enhancements
Underexposed images or photos shot at high ISO settings (such as ISO 6400, 12800, or higher) become completely usable for large-format printing. Adobe Lightroom Classic 12.3
The Edit In Photoshop workflow has been drastically improved. You can now select multiple images in Lightroom and open them as with just one command. This is transformative for complex composites, focus stacking, or HDR merges, bypassing the tedious manual layer creation.
Additionally, 12.3 introduced native support for chips. Mac users with the MacBook Pro 14-inch or 16-inch (2023 models) saw export speeds increase by up to 40% compared to running 12.2 under Rosetta emulation. Windows users with NVIDIA RTX 40-series cards also benefited from improved CUDA optimizations.
Adobe included a starter pack of adaptive presets:
Lightroom Classic 12.3 leveraged updated hardware acceleration protocols to ensure smoother operations, particularly on machines utilizing modern Apple Silicon (M-series) chips and high-end Windows GPUs. Given the high processing demands of the new
It is currently restricted to mosaic raw files (Bayer and X-Trans sensors).
Scroll down to the Detail panel on the right side of the screen.
The on/off switches for panels (like Tone Curve, HSL, Color Grading) were replaced with "eyeball" icons. Clicking these allows for temporary toggling to see "before/after" of that specific panel's adjustments.
While AI Denoise stole the show, Lightroom Classic 12.3 included crucial updates to the Masking engine, which was completely rebuilt in version 11. While not a revolutionary version number on the
If you recently purchased a Nikon Z8 or Leica Q3, version 12.3 is not optional—it’s mandatory. Without it, Lightroom cannot read the compressed RAW files from these bodies.
As with any major update, some users encountered technical hurdles: Lightroom 12.3 denoise hangs up - Adobe Community
Released in April 2023, marked a significant turning point in Adobe’s flagship desktop editing software. While many updates focus on minor performance tweaks, version 12.3 brought a game-changing feature that users had requested for years: AI-powered noise reduction.
Updating is straightforward. Lightroom Classic requires a Creative Cloud subscription. Open the , go to the Updates tab (left sidebar), and find Lightroom Classic. Click Update next to version 12.3 and wait for the download and installation to complete. Important: This update also applies to Camera Raw 15.3 for Photoshop users.
Because Denoise AI and advanced masking rely heavily on your computer's hardware, it is important to ensure your system is optimized for Lightroom Classic 12.3. GPU Acceleration is Critical