RAW Camera Formats: CR2, NEF, ARW, RAF and More — Complete Guide
If you own a DSLR or mirrorless camera, you've probably seen RAW files on your memory card. They're larger than JPGs, don't open in the default photo viewer, but offer vastly superior editing potential. This guide explains everything you need to know.
What is a RAW file?
A RAW file contains exactly the information captured by the camera sensor, with no in-camera processing. The camera doesn't apply:
- Sharpening
- Saturation
- White balance
- Noise reduction
- Lossy compression
All this information is preserved and you control it in post-processing software.
RAW vs JPG: key differences
| Aspect | RAW | JPG |
|---|---|---|
| Processing | None (raw sensor data) | Camera applies adjustments automatically |
| Editing headroom | Maximum (typically ±5 stops exposure) | Limited |
| White balance | Adjustable without quality loss | Fixed at capture |
| Color depth | 12-bit or 14-bit per channel | 8-bit per channel |
| File size | Large (20–80 MB depending on camera) | Small (3–15 MB) |
| Compatibility | Requires specific software | Universal |
| Workflow | Slower (requires editing and export) | Faster (ready to use) |
RAW formats by camera manufacturer
Each camera manufacturer uses their own proprietary format:
| Manufacturer | Format | Extension | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canon | CR2 / CR3 | .cr2 .cr3 |
CR2 for DSLRs, CR3 for modern cameras (R series) |
| Nikon | NEF | .nef |
Used in all Nikon DSLRs and mirrorless |
| Sony | ARW | .arw |
Alpha series, A7, ZV-E |
| Fujifilm | RAF | .raf |
X-Trans and X series |
| Panasonic | RW2 | .rw2 |
Lumix G and S series |
| Olympus / OM System | ORF | .orf |
OM-D and others |
| Pentax | PEF / DNG | .pef .dng |
Some export DNG natively |
| Leica | DNG | .dng |
Uses Adobe's open standard |
| Hasselblad | 3FR / FFF | .3fr .fff |
Medium format cameras |
DNG: the open RAW standard
DNG (Digital Negative) is the open RAW standard created by Adobe in 2004. Its advantages:
- Compatible with any software supporting DNG (Lightroom, Capture One, GIMP with plugins)
- Metadata stored inside the file (no separate
.xmpsidecar files needed) - Some cameras use it natively (Leica, some Pentax, Ricoh)
- Growing adoption, though major manufacturers maintain their proprietary formats
Software for editing RAW files
Adobe Lightroom Classic / Lightroom
The most popular option for professional and advanced photographers:
- Support for all major RAW formats
- Non-destructive workflow (the RAW file is never modified)
- Frequent updates for new camera support
Price: ~$10/month (includes Photoshop in the Photography plan).
Capture One
Direct Lightroom competitor, preferred by many fashion and product photographers:
- Superior color handling (especially for Phase One, Sony, Fujifilm)
- Different rendering engine — some prefer the "more natural" colors
Price: ~$24/month or ~$300 perpetual license (brand-specific versions are cheaper).
Darktable (free, open source)
Free, open-source alternative with professional capabilities:
- Excellent support for most RAW formats
- Steeper learning curve than Lightroom
- Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux
RawTherapee (free, open source)
Another free alternative with very advanced technical capabilities:
- High-quality demosaicing engine
- More technical interface, less intuitive
How to convert RAW to JPG
In Lightroom
- Select photos in the Library
- File → Export
- Format: JPEG, Quality: 90–100%
- Color space: sRGB (for web) or AdobeRGB (for printing)
- Adjust size and sharpening as desired
- Export
Online
- Go to KaijuConverter — RAW to JPG
- Upload your RAW file (CR2, NEF, ARW, etc.)
- Download the resulting JPG
Online conversion applies basic automatic adjustments (auto white balance, neutral exposure). For full editorial control, use Lightroom or Darktable.
When to shoot in RAW
Shoot in RAW when:
- Challenging lighting conditions (high contrast, backlight)
- You need to adjust white balance in post-processing
- Photos are for professional work or large-format printing
- You have time for an editing workflow
Shoot in JPG when:
- Reaction speed is critical (high-speed sports where buffer matters)
- You don't have time or interest in editing every photo
- Photos are for social media and immediate results are sufficient
- You have storage limitations
Shoot RAW+JPG when:
- You want RAW for archiving/future editing but JPG for quick review
- You'll select the best shots and only edit those
RAW file storage planning
RAW files require substantial storage. Plan accordingly:
| Camera | Resolution | Approx. RAW size | Photos per 64 GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canon EOS R5 | 45 MP | ~45 MB | ~1,400 |
| Nikon Z7 II | 45.7 MP | ~50 MB | ~1,300 |
| Sony A7 IV | 33 MP | ~33 MB | ~1,900 |
| Sony A7C | 24.2 MP | ~24 MB | ~2,600 |
For long-term archiving, consider converting to DNG (10–30% size reduction) or keeping original RAWs on external hard drives with redundant backup (3-2-1 rule).
Related conversions
Most teams that read this guide convert images in one of these directions: