Camera RAW Files
WHAT IS A CAMERA RAW FILE?
A camera RAW file is an image file that contains data as captured by a camera image sensor, with no (or very little) processing done by the camera's processing software. Compared to processed image file formats like JPEG, uncompressed (unprocessed) RAW files are very large in data size, and can't be opened by a normal image viewer or editor.
The RAW format is also called a digital negative, and the process of converting a RAW file into a processed format is known as “developing the negative”. Typically, when you shoot an image from a camera (or the camera app on a mobile device) this process happens automatically. The camera captures the information using the sensor and internal software converts it into a viewable, compressed, digital format (usually a JPEG file).
HOW ARE CAMERA RAW FILES USED?
RAW file formats are commonly used by professional photographers because it allows them more control over the how the image will turn out. Since RAW files are uncompressed, they contain finite image details, enabling far more flexibility in the editing process.
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What Are Popular Camera Raw Files Extensions?
| DNG The Digital Negative Image File (DNG) format is an open, universal format for storing RAW images. DNG files always contains three things — the image data, a JPEG preview, and metadata about the file. Since its release as a royalty-free format by Adobe, it is one of the most popular formats for storing RAW image data. | |
| NEF The Nikon Electronic Format (NEF) has been developed by Nikon for storing raw image data in an uncompressed format. In addition to image data, it can store metadata like camera identification, lens type used, camera settings, and much more. | |
| CR2 The CR2 or Canon Raw Image File format has been developed by Nikon for storing RAW image data in an uncompressed format. Similar to the NEF format, it can also store other important metadata. It is based on the TIFF file format specification. | |
| ARW The Sony Digital Raw Image File (ARW) format has been developed by Sony for storing raw image data in an uncompressed format. Like other RAW formats, it can also store important metadata as well. Similar to Nikon's NEF, it is based on the TIFF file format specification. | |
| DCR The Kodak Raw Image File (DCR) format is used by Kodak's high-end / professional digital cameras (eg. SLRs) for storing RAW image data in an uncompressed format. |
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