Your camera can save photos in different file formats, and the choice affects image quality, editing freedom, file size and speed. You met RAW and JPEG briefly in the first course. This lesson goes further: what each format really contains, newer options such as HEIF, formats used after shooting such as TIFF and DNG, and a practical way to decide which format to use at each stage of your work.
RAW and JPEG, in more depth
In how a digital camera creates a photograph you learned the basic difference: a JPEG is a finished image processed in the camera, while a RAW file keeps the sensor data for you to process later.
| RAW | JPEG | |
|---|---|---|
| Contents | Sensor data from each photosite, plus settings stored as information (metadata) and a small preview | A finished image: colors, white balance, contrast, sharpening and noise reduction already applied |
| Bit depth | Usually 12 or 14 bits | 8 bits, explained in bit depth and digital tonality |
| Compression | Uncompressed, lossless or (on some cameras) lossy-compressed | Lossy; detail is discarded to save space |
| White balance and picture style | Can be changed freely later | Built in; limited changes |
| Highlight and shadow recovery | Much more room | Limited |
| File size (24 MP) | Often about 20–30 MB | Often about 5–10 MB |
| Ready to use | No; needs processing software | Yes; opens anywhere |
Remember:RAW is not one format. Each brand has its own, such as CR3 (Canon), NEF (Nikon), ARW (Sony) and RAF (Fujifilm), and editing software must support your camera model.
Other formats you will meet
| Format | Type | Typical bit depth | Main use |
|---|---|---|---|
| HEIF (HEIC) | Lossy, efficient compression | Often 10-bit | In-camera and phone capture: smaller files than JPEG with more tonal room |
| DNG | An open RAW format | Up to 16-bit | Some cameras and phones save RAW as DNG; also used for archiving RAW files |
| TIFF | Uncompressed or lossless | 8 or 16-bit | Edited master files, print labs, retouching |
| PNG | Lossless | 8 or 16-bit | Graphics, screenshots, images with transparency |
| WebP and AVIF | Efficient web formats | 8-bit (WebP), up to 12-bit (AVIF) | Websites, covered in image compression and web performance |
HEIF is a useful middle ground for photographers who shoot many images: it keeps the camera's look like a JPEG but stores more tones in smaller files. Its main drawback is that some older software and services do not support it.
RAW+JPEG
Most cameras can save both a RAW and a JPEG of every photo. This gives you a ready-to-share JPEG immediately and a RAW file for important images. The cost is more storage and slightly slower card writing. It is a good choice while you are learning RAW editing, or when you need fast delivery and the safety of RAW.
Choosing a format
| Situation | Common choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum quality and editing freedom | RAW | Most information to work with |
| Difficult light, high contrast, mixed lighting | RAW | Recovery and white balance flexibility |
| Thousands of photos, quick delivery, little editing | JPEG or HEIF | Small, ready files |
| Learning editing while needing instant results | RAW+JPEG | Both benefits |
| Edited master for printing or retouching | 16-bit TIFF | No lossy compression; full tones |
| Sharing, web, clients | JPEG (sRGB) | Universal, as in color management for web and digital delivery |
Warning:Never edit and re-save the same JPEG again and again. Each save applies lossy compression again and slowly reduces quality. Keep a RAW or TIFF master and export new JPEGs from it.
Should beginners shoot RAW?
JPEG is perfectly fine for learning composition, light and timing, and many great photos are delivered as camera JPEGs. RAW becomes valuable as soon as you edit, face difficult light, or care about the best possible quality. Many photographers start with RAW+JPEG, then move to RAW only once editing becomes routine. RAW white balance was covered in RAW and white-balance flexibility.
Common mistakes
- Thinking RAW files look better straight away: unprocessed RAW previews often look flatter; their strength is flexibility.
- Re-saving JPEGs repeatedly: quality drops with each save.
- Forgetting software support: new camera RAW files need updated editing software.
- Sending HEIF files to everyone: some people and services cannot open them.
How professionals choose formats
Most professional photographers shoot RAW for quality and flexibility, sometimes with JPEG for fast previews. Sports and news photographers who must send images within minutes often shoot JPEG or use RAW+JPEG. Professionals keep RAW originals as their digital negatives, edit to high-bit TIFF or keep edits non-destructively, and export JPEGs for delivery. File organisation is covered in folders, naming systems and metadata.
Practical examples
A wedding under mixed lighting
- Situation
- The reception has warm bulbs, purple uplights and window light.
- What to do
- You shoot RAW.
- Why it works
- RAW gives full control over white balance and more room to recover highlights and shadows.
- Result
- You can correct difficult colors and keep detail in bright lights and dark corners.
A school sports day
- Situation
- You will take about 3,000 photos and parents want them the same evening.
- What to do
- You shoot high-quality JPEG with careful exposure and white balance.
- Why it works
- Small, ready files make fast delivery possible without lengthy processing.
- Result
- Photos delivered the same day.
Key points
- RAW stores sensor data (12–14 bit) for later processing; JPEG is a finished 8-bit, lossy image.
- HEIF offers smaller files than JPEG with more tonal room (often 10-bit).
- TIFF is for high-quality edited masters; DNG is an open RAW format.
- RAW+JPEG gives instant files plus editing freedom.
- Shoot RAW for quality and difficult light; keep masters; export JPEGs for sharing.
Frequently asked questions
Is RAW better than JPEG?
What is HEIF?
What is a DNG file?
Should I shoot RAW+JPEG?
Conclusion
RAW gives maximum quality and flexibility, JPEG and HEIF give efficient ready-made images, and TIFF and DNG serve editing and archiving. Choose the format for each stage of your work, keep masters safe and never re-save JPEGs repeatedly. Next, you will learn what bit depth means for smooth tones and editing.
Finished reading? Track your progress through Sensors and RAW.