digiKam relies on libraries such as exiv2, allowing it to edit XMP metadata embedded in images or separately as sidecar files.

digiKam also efficiently caches image thumbnails and paths in a database,[6] in the PGF format,[7] allowing for quick overviews.

As a non-modal image editor; digiKam's UI also supports live search boxes in both sidebars and the main window.

As of version 0.9 features include a GPS locator[9] and synchronization,[10] iPod Photo upload support,[11] an advanced metadata editor,[12] better support for raw image formats (using dcraw included in digiKam), full color management, a light-table,[13] pan-tool in Image Editor and Preview mode, improvements in usability, and many new plugins.

[14] Starting with version 2.0, digiKam has introduced face recognition allowing you to automatically identify photos of certain people and tag them.