It depends on how advanced you consider yourself. If you really want to see the differences, I recommend to see review for each one. Anyway CS5 Extended Version it has many new functions.

One should keep in mind, however, that the linked Adobe web page is designed to make the extended version more attractive than it actually is. Many of the advertised features, eg “content-aware fill”, “complex selections made easy”, “puppet warp”, “state-of-the-art raw image processing”, “superior HDR imaging”, “efficient workflow”, “faster performance across platforms”, and “better media management”, appear to be identical between the normal and extended versions. On the other hand, features like “design interactive content without writing code” appear to require more than Photoshop Extended, namely Creative Suite Design Premium.

I quite understand the OP’s confusion. In July I bought an unopened CS4 extended at a good price, and tried to make up my mind whether to upgrade to the normal or extended version of CS5. It was a tough task indeed to find out how the extended version actually differs from the normal one.

Best regards,

Antero

You can manipulate video also in extended.(eg. Take 15 secs running car sequence with red color-U can change color to another (excepting the color choosen by u in color range other colors will not change.color to be choosen by color picker)

the most interesting one I find in Extended is Vanishing point.Try it u will enjoy

Then 3D features are not available in standard version.I think more u go deep in to this ,u will find lot is left to be learnt

these are immediate features that strike me instantly--Bosu Babu

If Version "CS5 extended" is better, why it is much cheaper than the CS5?

Is it an update?

Se a Versão " CS5 extended" é melhor, porquê que é bem mais barata que a CS5?

Será que é uma actualização?

Chris Cox wrote:

 

 

Again, you can see the differences at http://www.adobe.com/special/products/photoshop/compare/ and http://www.adobe.com/content/dam/Adobe/en/products/photoshopfamily/pdf s/photoshop-cs5-edition-comparison-ue.pdf

Besides those two options, Adobe has an FAQ about the extended version.  However, it is also pretty vague

http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshopextended/faq.html

It links to the features page, which unfortunately highlights a lot of features available in the standard version as well, so it doesn't help much as a comparison to the standard version.

http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshopextended/features._sl_id-conten tfilter_sl_features%2Bby%2Bversion_sl_new%2Bsince%2Bcs4.html