DB Labs
What Is RAW Photo Format?
RAW is a class of image file formats that contain minimally processed data captured directly from a camera's image sensor. Unlike JPEG or HEIC, RAW files preserve all the original sensor information, giving photographers maximum control during editing. The trade-off is large file sizes and the need for processing software.
How RAW Works
When you take a photo on a normal camera or phone, the device captures light data from the sensor and immediately processes it: applying noise reduction, sharpening, white balance, color grading, and compression. The result is a finalized JPEG or HEIC. RAW skips most of this processing and saves the unprocessed sensor readout, leaving every editing decision to you.
Advantages of RAW
- Greater dynamic range: Recover detail in bright highlights and dark shadows that a JPEG would clip
- White balance flexibility: Change the color temperature in editing without quality loss
- Better noise reduction: Modern editors apply noise reduction to raw sensor data more effectively than to compressed files
- Higher bit depth: 12 to 16 bits per channel vs 8 bits in JPEG
- Lossless edits: Editing a RAW file never degrades the original data
Disadvantages of RAW
- Large file sizes: 5–10 times larger than JPEG
- Slower workflow: Requires editing before sharing
- Limited compatibility: Many apps and websites can't open RAW directly
- Camera-specific formats: Each manufacturer uses its own RAW variant (CR3, NEF, ARW, DNG, etc.)
Apple ProRAW
Apple ProRAW (introduced in 2020 with iPhone 12 Pro) is a hybrid format that combines traditional RAW sensor data with Apple's computational photography processing. It uses the open Adobe DNG container, files are typically 25 MB, and they preserve the benefits of features like Smart HDR and Deep Fusion while still allowing professional editing.
Common RAW File Extensions
- DNG — Adobe Digital Negative (used by iPhone ProRAW)
- CR2 / CR3 — Canon
- NEF — Nikon
- ARW — Sony
- RAF — Fujifilm
- ORF — Olympus / OM System
Related Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a RAW photo file?
A RAW file contains unprocessed pixel data captured by a camera's sensor, preserving all original information for editing without quality loss.
Why are RAW files so large?
RAW stores full sensor data with no lossy compression, so files can be 5-10 times larger than a JPEG of the same image.
Does iPhone shoot in RAW?
iPhone Pro models (since iPhone 12 Pro) can shoot Apple ProRAW. Standard iPhones shoot HEIC or JPEG only.
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