What are RAW files?
Raw files are unprocessed and uncompressed image data captured by digital camera sensors. The file format offers the camera's best photo or image quality because it stores all information using the camera sensor.
There are RAW image files and RAW video files, including ARW, DCR, NEF, RAF, CRW, CR2, CR3, MXF, DNG, DPX, ARI, SRF, SR2, PEF, and ARQ.
The common features of RAW files include:
- Captured directly from camera sensors and saved using different file extensions.
- Larger and need more storage space or memory than TIFF, BMP, PNG, and JPG
- Require specific programs or tools to be opened and edited.
- Can be converted into other formats, compressed, and edited.
- Offer more detailed image data than a camera can ever provide.
- Allow files to be adjusted without altering the images, have millions of colors, and better RGB color values.
Types of RAW files
Several RAW file types exist because every camera manufacturer has a proprietary image format compatible with its digital image capture device. The following table lists all RAW file types.
| Extension | Full Name | Type | Year | Device | File Viewer |
| .X3F | Sigma Digital Camera Raw Image File | Raw Image File Format | 2002 | Sigma cameras | XnView, MyViewPad, Able RAWer, RAW PhotoDesk, Photoshop, and PhotoScape. |
| .SR2, .SRF | Sony RAW 2 | Raw Image File Format | 2004 | Sony cameras | XnViewMP, XnSoft, Adobe Photoshop Elements, and Adobe Systems |
| .RW2, .RWZ | Panasonic RAW | RAW Image file format | - | Panasonic LUMIX cameras | IrfanView, LUMIX RAW Codec software, Photoshop, Lightroom, FastStone Image Viewer, RawTherapee, Corel PaintShop, FastRawViewer, and XnView MP. |
| .RAF, .R3D | Fujifilm RAW | RAW Image file format | - | Fujifilm Cameras | Able RAWer, FastStone Image Viewer, Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop, XnView, and Fujifilm X Raw Studio, |
| .PEF, .PTX | Pentax Electronic format. | RAW image format | 2008 | Pentax Digital Cameras | PaintShop, ACDSee Photo Studio, AbleRAWer, Photoshop, Bitberry, Ashampoo Photo Commander, and Honeyview. |
| .ORF, .OBM | Olympus RAW Format | RAW Image format | - | Olympus digital cameras | Olympus' software, Photoshop, Able RAWer, and CoralAfterShot. |
| .NEF, .NRW | Nikon Electronic Format | RAW image file | - | Nikon Cameras | Microsoft Photos, Apple Preview, Nikon's NX Studio, Able RAWer, Photoshop, IrfanView, GIMP and AfterShot Pro |
| .KDC, .K25 | Kodak digital camera | RAW Image format | - | Kodak digital camera | NCH Pixillion, Microsoft Windows Photos, Kodak Picture Transfer, Google Picasa, Corel PaintShop Pro X8, Adobe Photoshop, and ACD Systems ACDSee 18. |
| .IIQ | Intelligent Image Quality | RAW Image Format | Phase One or Capture One Cameras | Microsoft Windows Photos and Capture One. | |
| .CR3 | Canon RAW 3 format | RAW Image Format | 2018 | Canon digital devices | Photoshop, Bitberry File Opener, Pixillion Image Converter, Photoshop Elements, Lightroom, Microsoft Photos, Apple Preview, IrfanView, and Photoshop, |
| .CR2, .CRW | Canon Raw 2 format. | RAW Image Format | 2005 | Canon Cameras | Microsoft Photos, Apple Preview, IrfanView, Photoshop, Irfan View and UFRaw, Google Photos, and Apple Photos. |
| .GPR | General Purpose Raw | RAW image format | - | GoPro camera models | Adobe DNG Converter, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Lightroom Classic bundles. |
| .FFF | Flexible File Format | RAW Image Format | - | Hasselblad cameras | Bitberry File Opener, Photoshop, Zoner Photo Studio, FormReader, Paintgraphic2 Pro, Paintgraphic3, ACDSee, XnView, and Lightroom. |
| .ERF, .EIP | Epson Raw Image Format | RAW Image Format | - | Epson Devices | File Viewer Plus, Photoshop, Canvas GFX Microsoft Photos, ACDSee Photo Studio, Epson PhotoRAW, and File Helper. |
| .DNG | Digital Negative Image | RAW Image file format | 2004 | Individual Camera Models | Microsoft Photos, Able RAWer, Photoshop, Phtopea, Photoshop, Lightroom, and Canvas X. |
| .DCR | Digital Camera RAW | RAW image format | 2006 | Kodak SLR Cameras | ACDSee, Adobe Director, Able RAWer, Pixillion Image Converter, Corel PaintShop Pro, ImageMagick, and Photoshop. |
| .BAY, .CRF | Camera RAW Image File (Casio) | RAW Image file formats | - | Casio digital cameras | Adobe Camera Raw, Capture One, Silkypix Developer Studio, RawTherapee, and DxO PhotoLab. |
| .ARI, .ARW | Alpha RAW | RAW image format | 2006 | Sony Cameras | Photoshop, ArtStudio, Imaging Edge Desktop, Able RAWer, Photoshop, and ImageMagick |
| .3FR | Hasselblad 3F RAW File Format | RAW Image format | 2000 | Hasselblad digital cameras | Adobe DNG Converter, Bitberry File Opener, Corel PaintShop Pro, Honeyview, Photoshop, Zoner Photo Studio, and Corel PaintShop Pro. |
| .MOS | Leaf camera RAW files | RAW Image Format | - | Leaf Aptus series cameras | Helicon Filter, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe DNG Converter, and Adobe Photoshop CS6 for Microsoft Windows. |
What are RAW files used for?
RAW files are used to capture unprocessed and uncompressed image data directly from the camera sensor or viewfinder. They store detailed image information in any raster file type, enabling users like photographers to compress, edit, and convert them into other formats.
Pros and Cons of RAW files
RAW files are high-quality, unprocessed, and uncompressed image data from digital camera scanners or sensors. While users such as digital artists, designers, and photographers derive benefits from using RAW files, there are also demits associated with the file format in digital artwork or photography.
Advantages of RAW files
- Comprehensive data and metadata: RAW files are unprocessed and uncompressed because they do not support in-camera image processing, making them flexible in the subsequent file processing stages.
- Non-Destructive Editing: RAW files are unprocessed and uncompressed, which allows for non-destructive editing because the original file details can be recovered during post-processing or post-editing.
- Flexibility: RAW files allow for post-editing and post-processing since users can adjust image dimensions or contrast to enhance quality and visibility. The files are also flexible for future editing, which allows room for creativity.
- High-Quality Images: The RAW files are detailed, unprocessed, and uncompressed because their lossless nature ensures all image data is preserved and no file detail is deleted or lost during image processing or editing.
- Software Compatibility and Support: RAW files are widely supported and compatible with various editing software programs, increasing their editing, opening, conversion, and viewing potential.
Disadvantages of RAW files
- Larger Files: The RAW files are uncompressed and unprocessed, making them larger and demanding more storage space on cameras and computers than JPG or BMP.
- Complex and Time-consuming: RAW files require more time to edit and process as they store multiple image data that cannot be simply processed or manipulated to attain the required outcomes.
- Software Compatibility: RAW files are exclusive to specific cameras and not standardized, making it impossible to read using some programs or software.
- Post Processing: The RAW files are uncompressed and unprocessed since they are captured directly from digital camera sensors. Hence, users must conduct post-processing, which can be involving.
- Problem Sharing or Transferring: Raw files must be converted into other formats before transferring or sharing with users without suitable opening, viewing, or editing programs because they are exclusive to specific cameras.
How to create, open, edit, or view RAW photos
Different RAW files can be created, edited, or opened differently. You can use Photo Viewer, Adobe Lightroom, Capture One, Photoshop, Microsoft Photos, AfterShot, and Apple Photos to create, edit or open RAW photos.
To open an NEF file, use the computer's default photo viewer tool. Launch the Photo Viewer and Click the Open with Photo Viewer icon. Or Right-Click on the RAW file and select 'Open with Photo Viewer'. The NEF file will open for viewing.
To open DCR files in AfterShot, first download and install the program on your computer. Then, launch the AfterShot program and go to the File Menu. Click 'File', locate the DCR file to be opened, and click Open. The DCR file will open for viewing and editing.
How to open raw files in Photoshop
Photoshop can open nearly all the above listed RAW files, bar for a few RAW file types such as XCF files which are exclusive to GIMP. When users load RAW files into Photoshop, they should open them automatically through Camera Raw.
Photoshop has a Camera Raw add-on that opens RAW file formats, such as DCR, PEF, RAF, NEF, MOS, ORF, IIQ, and KDC and enables users to edit and save them in other image formats. The tool gives users the ‘Open with Camera RAW Option’, which opens RAW files instantly.
How to convert RAW files with Convertjack?
RAW files can be converted to TIFF, JPEG, PNG, EPS, PS, PSD, SVG, GIF, and BMP, among other file types. While different RAW file converters exist, Convertjack is currently the most reliable. Our tool is the simplest and easiest way to convert your RAW files into other file formats.
Go to our converter page, Choose the RAW file to upload, or you can browse it, then Drag and Drop it to our file converter. When done, select Format (Your preferred format option) and click Convert. The file will be converted and ready to download.