vhelemos
I have used GIMP for 10+ years.
Power = PhotoShop like. GIMP does everything, and is easily extensible through plugins. This article does a fair job pointing that out.
Color Depth = Current version of GIMP is 8-bit, but the development version (which you can download and compile from the GIMP website) is 16-bit, and the next stable version will also be 16-bit.
User Interface = clunky, often complained about. To me, it is fine, but I’m used to it. A “Photoshop-like” interface (one window) has been created, which the article also points out.
Raw support = must use plugins, like UFRaw, but they provide seamless raw support. Basically, opening a raw file in GIMP calls a dialogue window, which is really another program (UFRAW, rawtherapee, etc.). After you make your adjustments and close the dialogue window, you are editing the raw file in GIMP.
Summary = A very powerful, FREE, raw editor, that will not hose you in the future with excess charges.
Started out doing photography at the age of 6 using an uncle's old 1940 kodak brownie box camera. At 15 years of age, I decided to buy my very own 1975 Praktica SLR camera. I now shoot with a Nikon D850. I do unpaid TFP and commercial paid work.