RAW is not a single file format — it's a category of image formats that store the unprocessed data directly from a camera sensor. Unlike JPEG, which applies compression and processing in-camera, a RAW file contains all the data the sensor captured, giving you maximum control in post-processing. Every camera manufacturer uses a different RAW format: Canon uses CR2/CR3, Nikon uses NEF, Sony uses ARW, and so on.

What Makes RAW Different From JPEG

When your camera takes a photo, the sensor captures raw light data. What happens next depends on whether you're shooting RAW or JPEG:

JPEG: the camera applies white balance, sharpening, noise reduction, and contrast adjustments, then compresses the result by throwing away roughly 80% of the data. The final file is 2–8 MB. You get a ready-to-use image that can be shared immediately, but the processing decisions are permanent
RAW: the camera stores the raw sensor data with minimal processing. No in-camera compression that loses data. The file is 20–50 MB depending on the camera. You must use software to develop the RAW file into a viewable image — but every processing decision (exposure, color, contrast, sharpening) remains fully adjustable

RAW File Extensions by Camera Brand

Canon: .CR2 (older cameras), .CR3 (newer cameras)
Nikon: .NEF
Sony: .ARW
Fujifilm: .RAF
Panasonic: .RW2
Olympus / OM System: .ORF
Pentax / Ricoh: .PEF
Adobe DNG: a universal RAW format supported by all major editors
iPhone ProRAW: .DNG (Apple's implementation)

Why Photographers Shoot RAW

RAW gives you recovery power that JPEG cannot match:

Exposure recovery: a correctly exposed RAW file can recover 2–3 stops of overexposed highlights or underexposed shadows. JPEG has much less latitude — blown highlights are usually unrecoverable
White balance is always adjustable: if you shoot under mixed lighting with the wrong white balance, you can fix it completely in post with RAW. JPEG white balance corrections show quality loss at extreme adjustments
No generation loss: every time you re-save a JPEG, it recompresses and loses quality. RAW files export to JPEG once — no generation loss
Higher bit depth: RAW files are typically 12- or 14-bit, capturing 4,096 or 16,384 tones per channel. JPEG is 8-bit, with only 256 tones per channel. This difference matters most in gradients (sky, skin) — RAW produces smoother results
Future-proof: as RAW processing software improves (AI noise reduction, tone mapping), you can reprocess old RAW files and get better results than were possible when you shot them

When to Shoot JPEG Instead

RAW is not always the right choice:

Sports and burst photography: RAW files are larger and slower to write to the card. JPEG allows faster burst rates and larger buffers
When you don't have time to edit: JPEG is ready to share immediately. RAW requires editing before the image looks its best
Storage limitations: a 32 GB card holds ~1,000 RAW files or ~8,000 JPEGs at the same camera settings
When in-camera processing is sufficient: for casual photography, smartphone cameras process images so well that the RAW advantage is minimal

RAW + JPEG: Shooting Both Simultaneously

Most cameras let you shoot RAW + JPEG simultaneously — the camera saves both files for every shot. This gives you:

A ready-to-share JPEG for immediate use (social media, client previews)
The RAW file for any shots that need post-processing

The trade-off is double the storage use. Many photographers use this mode and only process the RAW files for their best shots.

How to Open and Convert RAW Files

RAW files require software to open — they won't display directly in most browsers or basic image viewers:

Adobe Lightroom: the industry standard for RAW processing. Subscription required
Adobe Camera Raw (ACR): included with Photoshop and Photoshop Elements — processes RAW before opening in Photoshop
Capture One: professional RAW editor favored for color accuracy, especially by Sony and Fujifilm shooters
Darktable: free, open-source RAW editor for Windows, Mac, and Linux
RawTherapee: free, open-source, very powerful RAW editor
Apple Photos / macOS Preview: can open DNG and many RAW formats on Mac without extra software
Windows Photos app: needs the Microsoft Raw Image Extension (free from the Microsoft Store) to open most RAW formats

After editing, export your RAW files to JPEG or PNG for sharing and web use. Use image compression to optimize the exported JPEG for web without quality loss.

RAW vs. JPEG: Summary

File size: RAW is 20–50 MB; JPEG is 2–8 MB for the same scene
Editing flexibility: RAW gives full control; JPEG is limited, especially for highlights and shadows
Ready to use: JPEG is immediately shareable; RAW requires editing
Quality ceiling: RAW's 12/14-bit depth produces better gradients and tonal range than JPEG's 8-bit
Best for: RAW is best for controlled shoots (portraits, landscapes, product photography) where editing quality matters; JPEG is best for fast-turnaround or high-volume shooting