What is RAW?

RAW files are unprocessed image data directly from camera sensor - digital negatives. Contains: raw sensor readings (12-16 bit per channel vs 8-bit JPEG), metadata (camera settings, lens, ISO, shutter, aperture), embedded JPEG preview. No in-camera processing: white balance, sharpening, noise reduction, color correction applied later in post-processing. Maximum editing latitude - recover highlights/shadows, adjust white balance non-destructively, correct exposure ±2-3 stops. Each camera manufacturer has proprietary RAW format: Canon (.CR2, .CR3), Nikon (.NEF), Sony (.ARW), Fujifilm (.RAF), Panasonic (.RW2).

RAW is professional photography standard - commercial, wedding, landscape, studio photographers shoot RAW exclusively. Advantages over JPEG: 14-bit color depth (16,384 shades per channel vs JPEG's 256), lossless editing (non-destructive adjustments), superior highlight recovery, flexible white balance correction. Workflow: shoot RAW → import to Lightroom/Capture One/DxO PhotoLab → edit (exposure, color, sharpening) → export JPEG/TIFF. File sizes: 25-50 MB per image (vs 3-5 MB JPEG). Requires post-processing - not ready for immediate sharing. Adobe DNG (Digital Negative) is open RAW format - converts proprietary RAW to universal standard.

Did you know? RAW files contain 4-16x more color data than JPEG - maximum editing flexibility!

History

Digital cameras adopted RAW formats to preserve maximum sensor data, allowing photographers to control post-processing like film darkroom techniques.

Key Milestones

  • 1999: Nikon D1 RAW support (.NEF)
  • 2002: Canon 1D RAW (.CR2)
  • 2004: Adobe DNG open format
  • 2008: Lightroom RAW workflow
  • 2018: Smartphone RAW (Apple ProRAW)
  • Present: Professional standard

Key Features

Core Capabilities

  • Unprocessed Data: Direct sensor output
  • High Bit Depth: 12-16 bit (vs 8-bit JPEG)
  • Non-Destructive: Lossless editing
  • Full Metadata: Camera settings preserved
  • Wide Dynamic Range: Recover highlights/shadows
  • Flexible White Balance: Adjust post-capture

Common Use Cases

Commercial

Professional photography

Landscape

Maximum dynamic range

Wedding

Exposure recovery

Studio

Precise color control

Advantages

  • Maximum image quality (unprocessed sensor data)
  • 12-16 bit color depth (vs 8-bit JPEG)
  • Non-destructive editing workflow
  • Superior highlight/shadow recovery
  • Flexible white balance adjustment
  • Professional post-processing control
  • Preserves full camera metadata

Disadvantages

  • Huge file sizes (25-50 MB per image)
  • Requires post-processing (not ready to share)
  • Proprietary formats (camera-specific)
  • Slower camera buffer/write speeds
  • Requires specialized software (Lightroom, Capture One)
  • Storage intensive (1000 RAW = 40+ GB)

Technical Information

Format Specifications

Specification Details
File Extension .raw (generic), .CR2/.CR3 (Canon), .NEF (Nikon), .ARW (Sony)
MIME Type image/x-raw, varies by manufacturer
Bit Depth 12-16 bit per channel
Compression Lossless or uncompressed
File Size 25-50 MB (varies by sensor resolution)
Standard Proprietary (Adobe DNG open alternative)

Common Tools

  • Editing: Adobe Lightroom, Capture One, DxO PhotoLab
  • Conversion: Adobe DNG Converter, RawTherapee, Darktable
  • Viewing: FastStone, IrfanView (plugins), Windows Raw Codec
  • Cameras: Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm DSLRs/mirrorless