RAW Converters

RAW files contain unprocessed sensor data from your camera. Unlike JPEG, which applies compression and processing in-camera, RAW preserves all 12-14 bits of color information per channel.

This gives photographers maximum flexibility for post-processing: recovering blown highlights, adjusting exposure, changing white balance—all without quality loss. The tradeoff is larger files (20-60 MB vs 5-10 MB for JPEG) and the need for conversion before sharing.

Shoot RAW if you:

• Plan to edit photos in Lightroom, Capture One, or similar software
• Shoot in challenging light (high contrast, mixed lighting)
• Want maximum quality for prints or professional work

Shoot JPEG if you:

• Need to share photos immediately without editing
• Have limited storage space
• Shoot casually and prefer the camera's processing

Many photographers shoot RAW+JPEG to get both.

RAW formats are proprietary and constantly evolving. Each camera manufacturer uses their own format (Canon CR3, Nikon NEF, Sony ARW), and new cameras often introduce format updates.

Operating systems eventually add support through updates, but there's always a lag. Windows 11 and macOS support most common RAW formats, but newer cameras may require:

• Installing the manufacturer's codec (Canon RAW Codec, Nikon NEF Codec)
• Using dedicated RAW software (Lightroom, Capture One)
• Converting to JPG or PNG for universal compatibility

Choose based on your use case:

• JPG: Best for sharing, web, social media. 90-95% smaller files, excellent quality.
• PNG: Lossless—perfect for further editing, printing, or archiving. Large files (35-80 MB).
• WebP: Modern format with better compression than JPG. Great for web use if recipients support it.
• AVIF: Newest format, best compression. Excellent quality at tiny file sizes, but limited software support.