Capture One fail

Your assessment is a bit too harsh, IMO, and the language isn't warranted.

It's not obvious at all that the testers at DPR don't know much about image processing. They might very well. However, DPR usually tests products at default settings. Now whether that is meaningful is another thing. It is certainly meaningful with respect to how most people are using products. It is not so meaningful with respect to getting the most out of these products.

In any case, you are past the defaults, so this test isn't for you. But it's still going to be appreciated by a large number of people out there, because it fits them.