About RAW Files
Generic RAW Image
RAW is a generic term for files containing minimally processed data from a camera image sensor. Various camera manufacturers use proprietary RAW variants, but the term broadly refers to any unprocessed sensor capture that retains maximum editing flexibility.
Family
Raster & Vector Images
Extension
.raw
MIME Type
image/x-raw
Can Use As
HOW RAW
CAME TO BE.
RAW is not one format — it’s a category. The term dates back to the Kodak DCS 100 (1991), the first commercial digital SLR, which stored unprocessed sensor data in a vendor-specific container. Every subsequent digital camera added its own raw format (Canon CR2/CR3, Nikon NEF/NRW, Sony ARW, Fuji RAF, Olympus ORF, Panasonic RW2, Leica DNG, Pentax PEF, Sigma X3F…) — over 40 distinct raw dialects exist in 2026.
The generic .raw extension, when encountered, almost always comes from a very old camera (Panasonic pre-2008, Kodak/Leica legacy, Fuji pre-2003) or a scientific/industrial imaging tool. Modern cameras use their own branded extension. Practitioners and raw processors use "raw" as shorthand for the entire family.
CURIOSITIES &
TRIVIA.
Over 40 distinct raw camera formats exist in 2026 — each manufacturer fiercely protects its own dialect.
The first commercial digital SLR, the Kodak DCS 100 (1991), already stored raw sensor data — the concept is as old as digital photography.
Raw files are often called "digital negatives" because they contain unprocessed sensor data, like a film negative before development.
Converting raw files to DNG is the most common way to consolidate a library that spans multiple camera brands.
Raw files weigh 2-6× more than equivalent JPEGs because they store one value per sensor pixel at full bit depth, without demosaicing.
STRENGTHS &
LIMITATIONS.
Strengths
- Every bit of sensor data preserved for post-processing latitude.
- Higher bit depth (12-16 bits) than JPEG (8-bit) — smoother gradients.
- Non-destructive editing in raw processors.
- Rich metadata (EXIF, makernotes, camera settings).
Limitations
- Proprietary per brand — Canon CR2 will not open in a pure-Canon-free processor.
- Huge files compared to JPEG.
- Requires dedicated software (Lightroom, Capture One, Darktable, etc.).
- No universal standard — DNG aims to solve this but adoption is partial.
Typical Sizes & Weights
24 MP raw (APS-C/FF, 14-bit)
25-50 MB
45 MP raw (high-end FF)
50-90 MB
100 MP medium-format raw
120-200 MB
Technical Specifications
- MIME types
- image/x-* (varies by vendor)
- Common extensions
- .cr2, .cr3, .nef, .nrw, .arw, .raf, .orf, .rw2, .dng, .pef, .x3f, .raw
- Bit depth
- 12-16 bits per pixel
- Typical containers
- TIFF/EP variants with vendor makernotes
- Universal exchange format
- DNG (Adobe)
CONVERT FROM
RAW
Common Use Cases
Photography post-processing, professional camera output, maximum edit flexibility
Related Formats
Popular comparisons
RAW vs JPG
Differences, file size, and when to choose each format.
RAW vs PNG
Differences, file size, and when to choose each format.
RAW vs WEBP
Differences, file size, and when to choose each format.
RAW vs AVIF
Differences, file size, and when to choose each format.
RAW vs GIF
Differences, file size, and when to choose each format.
RAW vs BMP
Differences, file size, and when to choose each format.
Popular RAW conversions
The most-requested destinations when starting from RAW.
Frequently Asked Questions about RAW
Frequently Asked Questions
RAW (Generic RAW Image) is an image format used to store raster graphics — a two-dimensional grid of pixels describing a picture. It is part of the raster & vector images family and designed around a specific trade-off between file size, visual fidelity, and feature support (transparency, colour depth, compression type). Photographers, web designers, and content creators choose RAW when its particular strengths match the publishing target.
Most desktop photo viewers (Windows Photos, macOS Preview, GIMP, Photoshop, Affinity Photo) open RAW natively. On mobile, iOS Photos and Google Photos display RAW in the gallery when supported by the OS. If the format is rare or new, convert to JPG or PNG first — both are universally readable — using our RAW to JPG or RAW to PNG converter.
Upload the RAW to KaijuConverter and pick a target format (JPG, PNG, WebP, HEIC, TIFF, BMP, SVG, PDF). The conversion runs in the browser via ImageMagick and returns a download in seconds. No account or installation required; both input and output delete automatically within two hours.
It depends on the task. JPG is the smallest file size for photographs; PNG is lossless with transparency; RAW has its own niche that may favour colour depth, animation, or encoding efficiency over one or both of those. For the final web publish, test all three and measure file size plus visible quality on real content.