RAW · JPG

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About RAW · JPG

What is a RAW file?

* Is not an image file itself (requires additional software to view its contents, even though this software is very easy to find).
* It is a proprietary format (there is an initiative called OpenRAW trying to force manufacturers to standardize the format, but so far they have not achieved).
* Store at least 8 bits for color (Red, green and blue) while most digital SLR cameras store 12 bits per color.
* It is an uncompressed format (8-megapixel camera will produce a 8 MB Raw file).
* Stores all information (without loss) collected by the camera sensor.
* Lets you display shadows and clear.
* Has a lower contrast.
* It is less clear.
* You can print directly from camera or without first performing a post processing.
* It is read only (the changes are stored in another file)

In comparison, the JPEG format is

* A standard format interpretable by any existing photo software today.
* Uses 8 bits per color.
* It is a compressed format.
* Takes up less space (A picture taken with an 8 megapixel camera comes to occupy between 1 and 3 MB).
* Has a lower dynamic range
* Has a higher contrast.
* It's clear
* It can print directly from the camera, sharing or publishing on a website.
* Usually requires no post processing.
* It is manipulable, although information is lost in each retouching however simple (such as rotating the image)
* Is processed in-camera.

What to choose?

Due to the differences between JPEG and RAW, there will be situations where we must choose one of them. If space is a problem, use JPEG will allow us to store two or three times more images. If we are in some kind of situation where we want to share photos quickly (a party, for example), we have using JPEG photos quickly and easily.

On the other hand, if the capacity is not a problem, and in that sense there is more memory cards of greater capacity and cheaper) one can consider the possibility of combining both formats.

If you do not want to do any post processing, JPEG is our format. Make a photo in RAW is only the first step to get put to paper the result.

But if image based on quality above all and would like to take all the information that our digital camera is capable of collecting, we choose the RAW format.

Taking pictures in JPEG

When shooting in JPEG, the internal camera software incorporates information from the sensor and processes it before storing. Some information is lost color and resolution, there may be more noise in the picture in RAW equivalent.

The DTC algorithm divides the image into blocks, typically 8x8 pixels, and determine which of these pixels can be disposed to gather information less noticeable.

If your camera has a way of shooting, due to processing time and storage of information, will be capable of firing faster using JPEG to RAW, because the slowest part of the process is stored in the memory card .

Shooting in Raw

When shooting in RAW, the camera will not perform any post processing, since it is limited to storing information in memory. We who we should make this post-processing with the computer.

When shooting in RAW will have a greater control over the appearance of the image, things like being able to correct exposure.

To make these adjustments will need specific software to process RAW files and convert them into JPEG or TIFF. Some aspects that will be able to handle white balance, exposure, contrast, saturation, and calibration of the different color channels, all without loss of information.