Wacom Intuos Pro Medium & Small Tablets Compared. Why I Use Them For Image Retouching 🖌
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- Опубліковано 4 лип 2024
- I've just purchased both the Wacom Intuos Pro Medium tablet and the smaller Wacom Intuos Pro Small tablet. Why both? Well, watch the video.
I compare these new tablets against each other but also measure them against my older Wacom Intuos tablet. I discuss why pen and touch tablets are extremely important retouching tools for photographers (rather than simply using a mouse or iPad app).
I give you my main reason for upgrading, a rundown of the current Wacom Tablet prices and I also explain how single or double screen monitor setups work with the two models.
Why didn't I go large and opt for the Wacom Intuos Pro Large? Well, watch the video as I explain that too.
Enjoy!
Karl
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Fantastic explanation, I knew I wanted the Wacom pro but had no idea about which size and was worried if I got the small I would end up needing to upgrade and you have now totally cleared it all up for me!! I only use one screen, so the small is totally adequate for me. All the other reviews I have watched did not once explain why you would want or need the different sizes apart from to make it more portable, so still left me wondering what the advantage to the bigger one was. Thank you so much, you not only are a photography guru but also have a an exceptional no nonsense way of explaining things.... Thank you so much
Thank you and glad it was helpful.
Thank you!!! I had a M but it died so I almost bought the S because I thought the old M was too big for my desk. I didn't know they reduced the size! So I purchased the new M
I am a live music photographer. Which is a very different style of photography and editing to the work Karl does, yet he still manages to cover issues and topics that are useful to me. And explain thing in a way that this dark dingy pit dweller can understand.
you can switch screens with a click so both screens with in the same area
Not an ergonomic solution if you need to quickly move the cursor between screens to copy/paste files for example.
I have a Wacom Pro L tablet from around 2006 and I still use it to this day. That thing has seen a lot of different projects, from drawing to graphic design and retouching. I love that thing to death, but dang it's so large and takes so much space on my desk XD But I have an emotional connection to that thing, so I don't want to replace it.
this video certainly covered a lot of info others haven't, and I'm leaning seriously towards the medium size for home and small for travel.
you touched on being able to setup dual screen support on the medium, and how you can edit on the main monitor, with one side of the tablet, what do you use the other side of the tablet for the other monitor for? navigation? tool adjustments? not quite clear on that part, if i missed that part of the video, i watched the follow up video to this and it didnt go into anymore detail other than when you drag your pen over it goes to the other monitor.
cheers!
One of those videos when you push the "Like" button before even watching.
Tremendously helpful on the sizes. Just buying a new one. Interestingly it seems the Intuos 3 medium (15 year old grey model) is the more or less the same dimensions as the new one medium size.
Thank you for your extreme professionalism from Spain.
Thanks for the info. I just got the medium and love it so far.
Brett Haddock did it come with a bundled software like the clip studio & etc?
Thanks for you opinions, it’s really helpful making me decide.
I‘ve started working with with the older Intuos pro m just recently for retouching and masking. In my studio I have a 27“ calibrated screen with the tablet straight in front and the 16inch MacBook Pro off to the side, I use the track pad and hotkeys with my left hand and the pen with the right. I do all the work with the tablet only on the big monitor, I’ve also found that I have to move my arm a bit more than I like when going to some areas on the sides of PS (like selecting layers and tools with the pen - I guess mapping would solve this)
Another thing Is that I travel a lot, with public transport or with only super small hand luggage, so everything has to be as compact as possible..
So I’m actually going to get the newer smaller version now and suspect I probably won’t regret it.
Your reviews are Brilliant, Thank you so much for your time and efforts to make content. really appreciate. 😊👍🏻
I was looking for this exact video past few days trying to make up my mind to go for the medium over the small; and Karl posts a video; and since the work area can be adjusted to the desired size, going for the medium. (the small looks so much more portable though)
I’m also in the same situation. The small looks like I can just throw it in my bag with MacBook and go. I’ve been advised to go M. 😅
Same situation but for me it's more the price I have the money but can't decide between intous pro small aor medium have been told medium is better for art and editing that I do but the medium costs way more do you think the medium is worth the bigger price tag
@@fallstatue3553 I was able to purchase the Med for $300 with a year subscription to lightroom and photoshop. The small would have cost me $200 with no subscription. So really I got the medium for less than the small. (when you include subscription price)
I always thought that using a medium was just waste of hand movements. And it never even occurred to me that you could use it to map out 2 different monitors! Your brilliant Karl, thanks!
How is it a waste? Not everyone draws with their whole arm anymore
@@tweedpenguin712 it’s better to draw from your shoulder than just your wrist though, reduces chances of injury
Not only that but you can also map only a portion of the tablet area to use for retouching if you were only using a single monitor to reduce hand movements. There are ways around it.
I have a similar setup to Karls. I built a small platform, my 24-inch monitor sits on the platform, when I open my my laptop the screen lines up with the bottom of the monitor sitting on the platform. The Wacom tablet is located to the right hand side of the MacBook Pro. I found this set up a lot easier to use then having to turn my head left and right all the time with a 2 screen side by side setup.
Thanks for sharing your experience, you are brilliant as always.
T-shirt illustration similar artwork style to the Wacom box, nice touch!
Yes good but a total coincidence! T-Shirt is from Pretty Green
I’ve been using a basic Wacom Intuos but lately I don’t work very comfortably with it, I guess because of the size.. Would you still recommend me the Small model or the Medium one? I have a single screen setup
I also have a two screens setup (24 inch-left and 27 inch-right DELLs) and a small and a medium wacom tablets. After trying all the variations I end up using a mouse and the small tablet mapped on the full 27 Dell and on 1/3 of the 24 (right side). :D So I use the mouse on both screens for everything else except for Photoshop witch I always open on the right side screen on full screen mode and keep tools, layers and everything else on this 1/3 right side of my left side screen... Works the best for me! I just want to know how does the wireless wacoms works? Both my tablets are old wired versions... Do they have lag, do they freeze? I would love to loose the cables! Thank you!
Many thanks for your instructive video. I ordered a new Wacom Intuos Small (PTH-460) for use with Capture One. When trying to decide on medium vs small size, I focused on ease of use with a single 27-inch screen. I did not realize the new small version of the Intuos Pro models do not have the 4 customizable options around the Touch Ring. Had I known that, I think I would have gone for the medium size. Tant pis, I will have to make do with the Express Keys and On-screen Controls.
I have a question regarding the pen nibs that came with the product. Four of the nibs are grayish and are made of a hard felt-like material. What are these meant to be used for?
Thanks
Thank you. You're video helped in my decision a lot. Every other video I tried to watch was frustrating me.
Great to hear!
Thanks for the comparison, it was most helpful!! 😊
You’re welcome 😊
@@VisualEducationStudio sir I'm going to make 1440p animation using Adobe animate on laptop so it's better to use the small right
Excellently Demonstrated
I was thinking of the small version as I need the compact size more, but I do use the same setup, laptop with additional screen. Though the workspace I use I won;t need the second screen access necessarily. If you use two screens can you just map the wacom to one screen only even if you have two screens?
yes
The medium intuos pro was a lot bigger then I thought soo I'm just gonna get the small.
Thank u for the comparison
I still have the intous4 med. is there a difference?
Thanks so much for in-depth review. Only still unsure about M or S: I work with single iMac 27 monitor at home office to work for Photoshop editing. In short: Would you in my case recommend M or S? :)
Thanks a lot! It was very helpful, I'll go with M
Welcome.
Great video! But I am not sure if the price mentioned for the small version is correct. It seems to be priced at about $230...
very helpful thanx...going 4 the mid one
Glad it helped
Hi! I guess this is quite belated but a big thanks for this review Video as I was considering getting a Wacom Intuos Pro as a beginner tablet.
I would like to ask if the XP-Pen Deco Pro would be a good alternative? I feel the XP-Pen Deco Pro would be the “coolest” from an aesthetic standpoint because of the light up ring.
This will be my first time using a tablet and I intend to use it photo editing and small amount of drawings.
Hi Thanks for you comments but I'm afraid I've not used the XP Pen Deco so I'm unable to give you any information about it.
Hi Karl have you done a install video, that I can follow as I want to install my Wacom Medium, I also wanted to know is it necessary to perform mapping as I want to use my tablet on my iMac and MacBook, wouldn't mapping restrict you if you. cna only work on one part when using it with two machines? Thank you
Yes there is a part 2 to this video you can find it on our channel
Great video, I have an ultrawide 34 with split screen feature. Thinking getting medium but after seeing your video maybe the small would be better.
Glad I could help
you don't have to extend the tablet's working area to cover all your monitors. you can set it so it only works on a specific monitor, which is most likely all you need.
Before I purchased mine, I cut a piece of cheap MDF board to both the small and medium , Dimensions on website. I drew the screen with a texta at aprox position. Using a pencil I then played with them on my desk for a few days before deciding on the medium.
I tried something similar, I just drew on an a6 size and tried the same on an a5 paper. Drawing on the a6 seemed too crammed and strangely felt as if my fingers hurt a little; tried the same on the a5 paper size and felt a lot better. So as Karl suggested, if I go for the medium size I could still set the work area size.
Hi, Karl just wondering whether you had a chance to look at the new Wacom One tablet. My understanding it like a second monitor which you can do your retouching with. I would be interested in your opinion on this product.
Unfortunately not as I didn't buy one of those, I ordered these two from Jigsaw24 online.
Brilliant. Just the explanation I needed. I must get a pad because I am wrecking my hand retouching with a mouse. THANK YOU.
Glad it helped!
@@VisualEducationStudio Can you inform me as to why I keep accidentally rotating my image, and since I do not know what happened, I can't undo it. Command Z doesn't undo it.
Very useful and informative video!
Glad you liked it
Thanks a lot for this video! This helps me a lot to decide if I want the Wacom Intuos Pro in the size S or size M :)
No problem!
Hi Karl, thanks for the great comparison, very well explained! Just one question, if you don't use multitouch gestures, penside switches and customizable keys, why didn't you choose the Intuos instead of the Intuos Pro ? Thanks in advance for your answer.
I stupidly liked the word 'pro'
@@VisualEducationStudio 😂😂😂
I stupidly like the word “pro”in all my gear as well, I think I’m analyzing everything I bought the last five years
Thanks for the review! I will buy a medium, to use it with a 26 "monitor, mainly photoshop and sketches. Could you confirm me if they all have Bluetooth, or if I have to choose some particular version?
They all have bluetooth now
Hi Karl!
Thank you for this video. I have a question
I am starting college this fall and I would be a photography minor I also want to take notes in OneNote. Which size should I go for, The Wacom Intuos Small or Medium? I have a 15.6inch Laptop, I may have a secondary monitor later but I don't know yet.
For now I want to mainly do illustration in Adobe Illustrator, use Photoshop and take notes in OneNote
Thank you for your response.
Medium
@@VisualEducationStudio thank you!
If I’m working with a 27” monitor do you think the small would be fine ? I would use it on a laptop too. Mostly photo retouching and casual drawing. I think medium looks too big for portability
Don't buy a small one if you want to draw with lineart. Small movements on the small area arr transfered as big strokes on the big screen so you wouldn't be able to have precise lines. For photo editing and even painting it wouldn't matter much.
If you still want a small one, them there's an option to map the tablet to a smaller area pf the screen
Im not sure whether to get the Medium or Large?
Thanks for the information.
Any time!
Appreciated this video. Still torn whether to go small or medium for my macbook pro 16 for photo editing.... thoughts?
If you're just using it with a macbook I'd go small.
@@VisualEducationStudio thanks
what you think about large version?
Thank you so much!!!!!!!
So I have the previous Pro SMALL, which I'm happy with, but I've heard that the newest SMALL model on the Control ring only does ONE thing, versus FOUR. Is this true Karl? If so that would be a deal breaker for me, as I use the control ring for brush size, zooming, going from Fill screen to 100%, and Cycling layers. And zooming and brush size won't work with the buttons.
Hi Nathan, the short answer is I don't know. Ashleigh is using the small one as shown in the part 2 video but she's working from home. Best check with Wacom.
@@KID_CHAMELEON The Small one only has ONE function on the control ring. I ended up buying then new Medium from B&H in New York, for $299, but it also included a year of the Adobe Photography plan, which saves me $120, so it was like getting the Medium Table for only $180, and using their credit card I paid NO sales tax! And the Medium also gives you two more buttons, and 4 functions on the Control ring.
Does this tablet has built in smoothing ?
I haven't used a Wacom tablet for a very long time, the one i did use was something like the small one of today. However I am a sports and wildlife photographer and only do a little portrait work. I have a head injury which presents some difficulty in learning new things but I do eventually overcome these issues over time with practice. Which of these tablets would you recommend given my chosen subjects above? secondly do you deliver photoshop skills for learning to use the different tools on the left of the ps screen etc and the use of layers?
Thank you
Paul
Hi Paul, personally I feel the medium works best and you can set the usable area smaller if you prefer. I also prefer that the buttons on the tablet don't get in my way because they are further away. Yes our PS course for photographers teaches you everything you need to get to a good level the use of the layer pallets on the left and tools on the right wouldn't make any difference with the way the course is taught. I'm left handed and sometimes in dual screen set up I put all the pallets and tools on once screen and the image on the other.
@@VisualEducationStudio wow that was super quick, thank you so much, I am in the UK (Portsmouth, ex war veteran, photography has been a good distraction for me and i have raised a lot of money for charities, all my photography is used to help children with cancer and other life threatening diseases. Receiving the right tutoring is important for me. I am finding so many different prices for the medium, Amazon seem to be expensive at £317, is there a cheaper place to buy the medium? Paul
Keep up the good work Paul. I got mine from Jigsaw24 they have it for around 270
@@VisualEducationStudio see you once I get my tablet.
What is your keyboard model ? Thanks
Love the wacom intros Pro medium. But I do recommend it because it works better on a laptop
Thank you...
I got an unused Intuos Pro Large from ebay at $100 and that was a too good price to pass. I got it and it’s pretty big, but no complaint for the price. It was a steal. I have big hands, too.
That's quite a deal. Is it still working okay?
So small should be just fine for my 15inch macbook pro right? (drawing/illustration)
I think artists prefer bigger tablets.
Do you have any videos on how you use this with editing?
Hi Tim, yes here www.karltayloreducation.com/post-production/ and here ua-cam.com/video/dhr4mA9EQYQ/v-deo.html
Excellent video
You are a cheat code. THANK YOU. I was trying to decide between medium and large but the medium looks huge in comparison to what I was imagining.
Glad it was helpful!
have you tried the xencelabs pen tablet
Hi Karl just watched this information video as i want to purchase a Wacom tablet, the question I want to ask you is; There are 2 different versions of the small Pro tablet version 1 has 2048 pen pressure sensitivity where as the version 2 has over 8000 pen pressure senitivity. Which one would you recommend? The version 1 is £129 where as the version 2 is £179 do you think the extra levels of pressure are worth spending the extra cost.
Finally I watch a lot of your content and I find it full of info and you get to the point in all the videos you present! WYSIWYG cheers
Hi, I've not compared the two but i'd go the extra £50.
awesome video
Mi Wacon es algo mas antigua, una PTZ-631W , Intuos 3, pero va genial, por ahora no la pienso cambiar, funciona a la perfeción y no falla.
you uso la misma tableta desde hace 300 anyos, buenisima. por cierto necesito reemplazar la superficie " surface sheet (6"x11") " y no puedo encontrar el accesorio para la 631w aqui en Us or Ebay. tienes alguna idea de donde encontrarlo o como adaptar una solucion alternativa? cheers
Hi Karl
As usual your videos are very educational, I have just purchased the Medium Intuos Pro after watching your review. My question is I have seen a comment made about the texture sheet you can get for this tablet; is it worth getting one and do you yourself use one at all. Cheers in advance and stay safe.......
Thanks. I've got the standard one, I couldn't find the textured one anywhere to buy at the time.
Cheers mate appreciate the reply....
When i we likely to see episode two? Im toying with small or medium. I have an much older tablet but like the new facilities.
This Thursday Ralph
Karl Taylor Thats great. Im going to take a look at the new ones at the photoshow.
MM GOOD i will buy the small, cuz im a single screen user
Im thinking about buying medium tablet but I wonder will this work with Lightroom?
Hi Emilie, yes they work with anything but most useful where you need to apply brush type tools
Does the SMALL version on the touch ring give you just 2 options, or the 8 of the old version? (4 options with 2 directions). I have the older SMALL, and I use the 4 positions of the touch ring ALL THE TIME. I understand the Medium NEW version gives you the 8 options, but not the SMALL. I want to confirm this. I would prefer the NEW SMALL, but can't give up that option.
Ive been trying to sell mine for quite a while now. It's an amazing tablet but I have no for it (I'm more of a traditional artist and I've only used the tablet once).
I Bleed glitter sell it to me
Mr Taylor,
You must either be practicing witchcraft or something close.
I only have looked at one of these yesterday and hey presto, Karl talks about it.
I was looking for this exact video past few days trying to make up my mind to go for the medium over the small; and Karl posts a video :D
micro usb or usb-c?
what bag do you have?
Ted Smith
I heard pen nibs wears out fast ,is it true??
Thinking of buying this so .....
No I don't find that at all?
@@VisualEducationStudio thanks now I would buy wacom intuos small.Loved your video☺️☺️
Yes, the nibs do wear out fast.
I got the Pro Medium last month after this video; use it instead of a mouse for general use and digital painting.
One workaround I found is adjusting the pen pressure to compensate for applying too much pressure when painting, it has helped slow down the process.
@@MishimaZaibatsuCorp Yeah it does help to adjust the pen pressure. When i bought my first wacom i wore down the first nib sooo fast. Adjusted it, and after 2 years I'm still using the same nib, and I draw on it very frequently.
I use the medium, but maybe it is a little too large. Good comparison 👍
Cheers
You probably know that already, but mapping two or more screens on the tablet is not needed anymore. In fact it is bad idea.
Instead you should be using the display toggle and utilize the full tablet surface or at-least larger part of it. The display toggle is faster, more convenient and you can map it to any button.
Hi Solen, thanks for the info but I don't think it's a bad idea to map two screens on one tablet? It would be good to hear your reasons why you think so, also I wouldn't imagine it would be quicker to toggle a button compared to just sliding my hand with pen in it across the tablet?
Hi Karl, Can you tell me the difference between the 2017 and 2019 versions of the Wacom Medium tablets please?
Paul
Hi Paul, the one I was showing in this video is the current one. The older Medium I showed was from about 2015, I'm not aware of the model in-between. The Small was upated last year (shown in this video) to match the medium and large.
Thank you Karl, It's just i have received mine from Jigsaw24 and it says 2017 on the box and order form, so if theres no inbetween from 2015 until this current day I'm a little confused as to how old this tablet is?
@@paulsmith8438 they added bluetooth to recent versions
Is the pricing mentioned incorrect for Pro?
It may have changed, I'm sure you can look it up?
Hi Karl, nice tuto. I am not sure today it is still the case "same area but smaller tablet". In the past scott kelby advised the intuos pro small which was PTH-451 320x21mm with a 210x150mm area. Looking PTH-660-S medium, it is same sizes !!! the new small one PTH460K1B is only 27x17cm 16x10cm area. i am using for retouching win10 laptop with a EIZO CS2731 2560x1440. Would you recommend a M or S in that case ?
Lol, they're definitely not the same size.
Thank you for this helpful review! My parents bought me my first tablet, a Wacom bamboo tablet (CTH-470) nearly a decade ago when it first came out. It still works great but is definitely beat up and antiquated. I’m thinking about upgrading and buying myself the Intuos Pro now that I’m serious about drawing. I just couldn’t decide between the small or the medium 😖 the pro small is about the size of my bamboo and I’ve never had a problem but I was curious about a larger size. After your review, I think I’ll go for medium since I mainly use it for digital art and want a little more freedom with gesturing and strokes. Thanks again!
Hi Tarynn, glad it was helpful.
LOVE your laptop bag... possible to provide a link?
Ted Baker
Now we want to know what’s that bag Karl? ^ . ^
Ted Baker
I thought the medium size is great choice because you don't need to upgrade you intuos pro. I wish my dream can get to work and paid than stuck in university without working...
Man, i wish i had the same accent as this guy have
130 $ for Intuos Pro Small ?!?
It is 230 € in France (more than double) !
I liked your Indian design T-shirt.
because.............
i am......
......
..
an indian.
Medium pro for sure I’m getting that lol
You won't regret it. It's hard to imagine that the small size would be sufficient even for just retouching.
@@lun321ya I just got it perfect size lol not too big not too small 😆
I have been a professional retoucher since 1997 and I only use a mouse. A tablet really isn't necessary. It's just one of these things that retouchers feel like they need "to be a pro retoucher" or to differentiate themslves like it's some sort of graduation. It's not. Save your money and practice.
I don't think there will be many retouchers that agree with you on that.
@@VisualEducationStudio Yes I know, i have this conversation often. I think it helps you grasp certain skills quicker and it does do some things you can't do with a mouse but as a photographic retoucher you have limited need for and most you can do anyway once you know all the keyboard shortcuts. It's mostly because people think they need to fit in in the studios - you're a retoucher you need a tablet - It's just not true. I have been retouching since Photoshop version 2 internationally for some of the world's biggest magazines and companies and also do concept storyboarding and painting, creating a lot of backgrounds and components etc from scratch for big campaigns, creating entire heads of hair etc. People who doubt me are always surprised when they watch me work. It's just a matter of practice. I do acknowledge though that an illustrator or graphic artist who needs to simulate a paint brush is better using a tablet, obviously. The rotate and tilt functions of the pen simulate a brush nicely. But as a photographic retoucher and photorealistic artist it's just not needed. If someone jut prefers it, then great (obviously!)
Of course and everyone has their own way of working that suits them. It would be great to see your work by the way if you have a link.
The tablet is just superior when it comes to dodge and burn and removing stuff. Precise, fun and pen pressure allows more organic and faster dodge and burn. Also, for many people it’s the most comfortable way to use the cursor lf the computer in general. My wrist is in better health since I started using tablet. Maybe it’s the constant small ulnar and radial deviation of the wrist,
Pressure on the carpal tunnel rather than the bony side when using tablet, not quite sure which is the most problematic.. In any case there is mo way I would go back to full-time mouse usage.
do you want sell old pro medium?
Thanks but no, someone else at work is using it.
Not impressed with Wacom, I have an Intuos 4 very similar to your medium and they decided to not update the driver rendering it completely useless now 🤬
Does it still eat the nibs?
I guess it depends on how hard you press!
Like
:v
Food for thought - People are incredibly spoiled/futile with their "needs"
What prompted you towards this train of thought?
It's amusing that this criticism is coming from someone who aspires to be a rockstar but lacks the ability to sing.
Fantastic Video Karl. I use iMac 27", for my photo retouching, should I for Small version or Medium? Money is not the criteria.
I think i'd prefer a small for a single screen setup
@@VisualEducationStudio thank you