.raw — Camera RAW formats
A family of vendor-specific camera sensor files used before a photo is rendered into JPG, TIFF, or WebP.
About this format
RAW is not one single file format. It is a category of camera vendor formats, such as Canon CR2, Nikon NEF, Sony ARW, Fujifilm RAF, Olympus ORF, and Panasonic RW2.
Use RAW when you need maximum editing latitude. Export a normal image format when you need compatibility, previews, or upload support.
Real-world samples & file sizes
Four freshly sourced CC0 camera raw files from raw.pixls.us, covering common proprietary RAW families. Browsers cannot render these files directly, so each card shows a locally rendered JPEG preview while the download link points to the real RAW file.
Canon PowerShot G10 CR2
A Canon CR2 raw file with a snow-covered forest preview.
Nikon D90 NEF
A Nikon NEF sample showing a bright outdoor landscape.
Sony RX100 III ARW
A Sony ARW file with a detailed playground and sky preview.
Fujifilm X-E2 RAF
A Fujifilm RAF sample with a frozen lakeside landscape.
Pros
- +Maximum photo editing flexibility
- +Preserves camera metadata
- +Best source for serious photo editing
Cons
- −Vendor-specific variants
- −Large files
- −Poor browser and website support
RAW vs other formats
| vs | Size | Quality | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| DNG | Varies | Both are raw workflows | DNG is a more standardized container; proprietary RAW keeps vendor-specific behavior. |
| JPG | RAW is much larger | RAW has more editing latitude | JPG is ready to share but much less flexible. |
Where it works
- macOS and Windows support depends on camera codec
- Linux via raw libraries
- Browsers do not render raw camera files directly
- Lightroom
- Capture One
- darktable
- RawTherapee
- Photoshop Camera Raw
Related tools
Frequently asked questions
- Why are RAW files not consistent?
- Camera makers define their own raw containers and metadata, so support depends on the camera model and app.
- Should I convert RAW to JPG?
- Convert only after editing or when you need to share the image. Keep the RAW if you may edit again.
Sources
- Library of Congress - Camera Raw formats - camera raw family description
- Adobe Camera Raw supported cameras - shows vendor-specific raw support by camera model