Elements is for newbies all auto pilot. PS7 is for true doodlers. I have only had the pleasure of testing PS7 Beta,I can tell you its a great program. Only problem I see with it is all of PS shapes,brushes aren't compatable. CRY!! I have to remake all of them over again for PS7. I'm hopeing its only a beta quirk. Time will tell. Worth 600.00??? If your makeing money with the program I can see spending that kind cash.