What is Raw ?

RAW image files are large, uncompressed images stored on the memory card of a digital camera. As an uncompressed file format, RAW differs from JPG files (or JPEGs); although JPEG images have become the most common format in digital photography, they are compressed files, which can limit some forms of post-production work. Shooting RAW photos ensures you capture a greater amount of image data.

Although nearly every camera manufacturer offers a RAW image file format, there is no standard format. As you navigate different brands, you’ll encounter different file formats. For instance Nikon uses a proprietary RAW format called .NEF, while Canon saves RAW digital images as .CR2 or .CR3.