Summary : Are you confused over the choice of shooting in JPEG vs. RAW in your DSLR camera? This post shares which one is better- JPEG or RAW, and how you can use each to create the best photos that meet your purpose.
Raw/jpeg Fiasco 4 hours ago 1 Why are exponents of RAW files such bad photographers that they have to recover their shots from 4-5 stops over or under exposed, even. Edited RAW Disadvantages of RAW. Because a RAW photo is uncompressed and unprocessed, it carries a few disadvantages. First, JPEG is a universal format that can be immediately.
The dilemma of shooting in RAW vs. JPEG is not new. Especially, those new to photography often ask which format they should choose on their camera LCD screen to capture superior quality pictures.
Professionals may claim uncompressed RAW is the best format, while many others hail JPEG as the most versatile image file.
This post explains how RAW files differ from JPEG, along with the advantages and shortcomings of each. Quitting the technical deep dive, here you will know why the choice of image format in photography should be need-based.
What is a RAW image format?
A RAW file is unprocessed and lossless. It has raw image data directly captured from the camera sensor, and has maximum image information.
An image shot in RAW format has a wide color palette. It can record 14 bits per pixel and display up to 68.7 billion colors. Thus, RAW is considered the best format for processing photos.
RAW image formats are proprietary to every camera brand. For instance, Canon records RAW images in CR3 & CR2 formats, Nikon does in NEF, Fuji DSLR in RAF, Kodak in KDC, K2F and so on.
However, not all image-viewing and editing software support RAW formats..
Advantages of RAW format
Raw Jpeg Converter
- Creative flexibility: RAW format offers greater creative liberty while editing without worrying about quality loss. You can increase or reduce exposure, sharpness, saturation, contrast, color space, white balance, etc.
- Maintains image quality after processing: Unlike JPEG, lossless compressiondoesn't degrade the quality of a RAW image file after editing or processing.
Disadvantages of the RAW format
- Need more work during editing: Unprocessed RAW photos usually appear dark and shady. They need to be processed and worked upon in an image editing software, such as Lightroom, Photoshop, etc.
- Occupy more space: RAW files are large and thus occupy greater space in the storage media.
- Not for social media: Large-sized RAW file formats – CR3, NEF, DNG, ORF, PEF, ERF, MRW, NRW, RAF, RW2, SR2, etc., are hard to share and view on the web and social media.
- Take time to transfer or copy: Bigger size RAW files take longer to transfer or copy from camera SD card to computer or other devices.
- Lack of wide software support: RAW formats are unique to camera brands. Camera manufacturers regularly develop new RAW formats, whereas, software developers are not always attuned with the launch. So not many image viewing and editing software offer support for RAW camera formats.
When to use the RAW format:
- Editing for professional use: Use pictures in RAW format when you want to edit without compromising the quality.
TIP: Repair corrupt or damaged RAW photos
Losing RAW photos to corruption can be terrible, as not many repair software support this unique camera format. Here's an advanced tool – Stellar Repair for Photo that works on RAW files of Canon, Nikon, Sony, Samsung, Fuji, and several other camera brands. Using the software, you can repair corrupt, distorted, damaged, greyed-out, or inaccessible RAW camera files and JPEG file format from any camera.
What is JPEG image format?
JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) image format uses a lossy compression to store digital photos. The file format can store 24 bits per pixel and display over 16 million colors.
Given its ability to compress, it is a popularly used image format.
JPEG compresses the image to a smaller size. This helps to increase the number of photos stored in a memory card. You can also share small JPEG files freely on social media and between devices. JPEG can store high-resolution photos in a smaller size as well.
However, the compression in JPEG comes at the cost of the quality of the image. But often, the loss is not perceptible to the eye.
Advantages of JPEG/ JPG format
- Already processed by the camera: When you shoot and save photos in JPEG, the camera has already processed it. Unlike RAW, a JPEG image. doesn't require much work during the processing stage, like setting exposure, white balance, contrast, saturation, sharpening, etc.
- Occupies less space: JPEG is smaller in size than RAW photos, thus occupying less space on the storage media.
- Widely supported: JPEG is supported by all image viewers, editing programs, and devices
- Quality after compression: Can save high-resolution pictures in compressed size.
Disadvantages of JPEG format:
- Irreversible processing: As the camera has already processed the JPEG image, reducing the sharpness, contrast, brightness, etc., is not possible.
- Subsequent work degrades quality: Editing JPEG or any processing can lead to further loss in the image data and subsequently in the image quality.
When to use JPEG?
- Online sharing: Use JPEG to upload pictures on the website or share on Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Tumblr, WhatsApp, etc.
- Printing: Printing posters, cards, and other high-resolution images.
- Email: Sharing JPEG on email is fast and easy.
- Transfer: JPEG images download, copy, and transfer quickly compared to RAW files.
- Storing more number of photos: Storing digital photos on your computer, SD card, etc.
Shooting in JPEG vs. RAW — which is better?
To begin with, keep off the myth that shooting in RAW is always the best choice.
The decision to shoot in RAW or JPEG format should depend on how you will use your prospective images. Be clear if you want to work heavily on your photos, print them, share on social media, upload on the web, etc.
Professional photographers usually prefer unprocessed RAW format as it gives them a free-hand while editing. But in case you have to quickly share your work to a client or share on social media, capture photos in JPEG format, as camera already processes them. You can simply download and share them.
If you are a photo enthusiast on a photography day-out and want to shoot more pictures quickly, preferJPEG. The compressed JPG images record faster and occupy less space on the camera SD card. This way, you can save more photos on a single memory card.
So the choice of shooting in RAW vs. JPEG is purely need-based.
- Irreversible processing: As the camera has already processed the JPEG image, reducing the sharpness, contrast, brightness, etc., is not possible.
- Subsequent work degrades quality: Editing JPEG or any processing can lead to further loss in the image data and subsequently in the image quality.
When to use JPEG?
- Online sharing: Use JPEG to upload pictures on the website or share on Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Tumblr, WhatsApp, etc.
- Printing: Printing posters, cards, and other high-resolution images.
- Email: Sharing JPEG on email is fast and easy.
- Transfer: JPEG images download, copy, and transfer quickly compared to RAW files.
- Storing more number of photos: Storing digital photos on your computer, SD card, etc.
Shooting in JPEG vs. RAW — which is better?
To begin with, keep off the myth that shooting in RAW is always the best choice.
The decision to shoot in RAW or JPEG format should depend on how you will use your prospective images. Be clear if you want to work heavily on your photos, print them, share on social media, upload on the web, etc.
Professional photographers usually prefer unprocessed RAW format as it gives them a free-hand while editing. But in case you have to quickly share your work to a client or share on social media, capture photos in JPEG format, as camera already processes them. You can simply download and share them.
If you are a photo enthusiast on a photography day-out and want to shoot more pictures quickly, preferJPEG. The compressed JPG images record faster and occupy less space on the camera SD card. This way, you can save more photos on a single memory card.
So the choice of shooting in RAW vs. JPEG is purely need-based.
PHOTOGRAPHY TIP: To enjoy the best of both JPEG and RAW — shoot in RAW. Once you obtain the high-quality post-processing output of RAW photos, export in JPEG or convert the copy of the RAW to JPEG format for printing or sharing, etc.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that there's an image quality difference between RAW and JPEG formats. The uncompressed RAW file displays higher quality. The RAW format makes processing flexible compared to JPEG. Nonetheless, the advantages of keeping to JPEG cannot be ignored, which makes the format highly popular.
So finally, which is better – RAW or JPEG, depends on how you want to utilize the pictures.
Raw images are used to store HD photos, but cannot be opened as easily as that opening a JPG/PNG or other common image. In recognition of this fact, many users choose to convert raw to web-friendly JPEG format.
To this day, many photo tools are added with an image converter to export raw images, and here we list 7 best raw to JPEG converters for Windows 10, with free download address included.
#1 Pixillion Image Converter
It's good to have a raw image converter with editing features, but if this is not necessary, a light weight image converter will be all what you need, like Pixillion Image Converter. It is mainly developed to convert images, including raw and common ones. Though it offers limited editing features, it is a good fit for quick raw image conversion.
Main Features
- Read 50+ image formats, including raw, common and others: webp to jpg
- Convert to 20 image formats
- Resize, flip, rotate, add watermark text/image
- Share images
- Allow output preferences
Bright Spots
- Batch convert images
- Allow output settings
How to Convert Raw to JPEG on Windows PC?
- Grab a free copy of Pixillion Image Converter , install the application to your Windows PC.
- Add all raw images to Pixillion.
- Choose output as JPEG.
- Click Options to change the output settings.
- Click Convert to export raw image as JPEG format.
#2 BatchPhoto
If you are looking for an image converter to export raw in batch, BatchPhoto Pro will be the best choice. You can get the most from this tool to view, edit and convert more than one hundred images, including raw, common and additional one. BatchPhoto builds a simple process to convert raw images with just several clicks.
Main Features
- Read 100+ images
- Convert raw, common and other images to 70+ image formats, like raw to jpg, png to eps, eps to jpg, svg to eps, etc,
- Edit images: add comment/effect, flip, resize, rotate, crop, optimize, touchup, etc.
- Share files to FTP or send via Email
Bright Spots
- Batch convert raw and other images
- Retain original quality
- Super excellent support on input and output formats
How to Convert Raw to JPEG on Windows PC?
- Grab a free copy of BatchPhoto Pro, install it.
- Drag and drop raw images to BatchPhoto Pro.
- (Optional) Go to Edit Photos, add filters to edit the raw images before conversion.
- Go to Setup, choose output as JPG and select output folder.
- Go to Process to start the conversion process, then view the JPG images.
#3 Windows Polarr Photo Editor
Also, it is important to note that Windows 10 offers free tool to open, edit and export raw images, that's Photos. It is free to use. However, its free version doesn't support batch conversion.
Main Features
- Open and view images
- Edit images (add text, shape, line, etc)
- Add watermark
- Crop
- Export as JPEG, PNG or TIFF
Bright Spots
- Windows 10 preinstalled, free to use
How to Convert Raw to JPEG on Windows PC for Free?
- Open raw image with Polarr Photo Editor.
- Click Save button.
- Choose output as JPEG and select image quality.
- Then click Save as Copy to convert raw image to JPG on Windows 10.
#4 AVS Image Converter
AVS Image Converter is a free image tool to convert, resize, add effects and watermark to images. It can read 20+ images formats, including common ones and raw ones, and supports exporting as 10+ popular image formats. For users from different lingual background, it supports different interface languages.
Main Features
- Read 20+ image formats
- Export as 12 image formats
- Resize, rotate and rename images
- Apply effect and add watermark
- Batch conversion support
Bright Spots
- Offline and Free to use
- Read 20+ image formats and export as 12 image formats
How to Convert Raw to JPEG on Windows PC for Free?
- Install AVS Image Converter onto your Windows PC.
- Go to Conversion Tab.
- Click Add to import raw images to the program.
- Choose To Jpeg.
- Then click Convert Now to save raw images as JPEG on Windows.
#5 GIMP
For users with advanced skills to edit an image, GIMP won't disappoint them. GIMP, called as GNU Image Manipulation Program, is an open source image editor to work on images the way as that in Photoshop. It can read and convert raw to JPEG format too. However, you need to install raw loader plugin first.
Main Features
- Open and view images, including raw
- Edit images in a professional way
- Export as 50+ image formats
Bright Spots
- Free to use
- Advanced raw image editing tools
Raw Jpeg Converter
How to Convert Raw to JPEG on Windows PC for Free?
- Install GIMP .
- Open raw image, download and install Raw loader plugin from recommended website.
- Go to File>Export As.
- Go to Select File Type, choose JPEG from the output format menu.
- Click Export to save raw image as JPEG on Windows.
Convert Raw to JPEG online, free
There are high hopes from our users that they want to convert raw image for free and without installing any software.
It seems that we have many options on online, free raw to JPEG converters, but not really. The limitations of most of these online, free image tools are great obstacles for us and finally stop us using them.
For example, Zamzar has a max file size limit of 50MB, while a raw image is often large in the size:
CloudConvert cannot keep the original raw image quality, the background of its converted JPEG images just comes out as Red.
Raw Jpeg Converter
Convertio doesn't help to save Raw as JPEG, the green background in the JPEG output makes these image useless.
Online Converter Image Converter helps on this conversion, but it doesn't support batch conversion.
raw.pics.io is always highly recommended, because it offers powerful editing features on raw images, however, it is not for free. You are allowed to upload, edit and export raw images with this tool, but only 1 image can be downloaded for free, for further services, you need to pay. That's why I uploaded 4 raw images conversion, but only saved one of them as JPEG.
Raw Jpeg Canon
But luckily, iloveimg and online-convert are solid free raw to JPEG converters we can try on our Windows.
#6 Iloveimg
It offers serives to compress, resize, crop, convert and edit images.
The Good
- Convert CR2, RW2, NEF, ARW, SR2, ORF, PEF, RAF and Adobe Raw to JPG
- Batch convert raw images
- Download all JPEG files in a Zip
- Save images to cloud storage services
The Bad
- Require upgrade to Premium if want to keep original image quality
- Take time to upload and convert raw images
Follow Steps to Convert Raw to JPEG on Windows Online
- Head to iloveimg raw to JPG.
- Upload raw images.
- Click Convert to JPG to start the conversion process.
- Download JPEG files to your Windows 10 PC.
#7 Online-Convert Image Converter
It allows users to convert images to 12 formats, including JPEG.
The Good
- Convert raw images to different image formats
- Batch convert raw images
- Tweak optional settings
- Download all JPEG files in a Zip
The Bad
- Only 3 images can be converted at the same time for free
- Take time to upload and convert raw images
- Image quality is lost in JPEG files
Follow The Steps to Convert Raw to JPEG on Windows Online
- Navigate to Online-Convert raw to JPG in your web browser.
- Upload raw images.
- Adjust the optional settings and click Start Conversion.
- Download JPEG files to your Windows 10 PC.
Now, you have 7 options to convert your raw images, which one will be your final choice?
