Image Format Comparison

RAW vs JPG: Full Camera Data vs Universal Sharing Format

Every serious photography debate eventually involves RAW vs JPG. The question isn't which is 'better' — it's which is appropriate for your workflow. RAW preserves everything the camera sensor captured; JPG is a processed, compressed, universally-compatible photo. For a sports photographer who delivers 500 images per day: JPG. For a studio photographer printing fine art 40×60 inches: RAW.

RAWvsJPG

Quick Verdict

Use RAW when…

Shoot RAW when image quality and editing flexibility matter: professional work, printing large, recovering difficult exposures. Keep RAW as the archive master.

Use JPG when…

Use JPG for immediate sharing, uploading to social media, events where quick turnaround matters, and any context where you don't need post-processing flexibility.

RAW vs JPG: Feature Comparison

Feature	RAW	JPG
File size (typical)	20–50 MB per image	2–8 MB per image
Colour bit depth	12–14 bit (4096–16384 values per channel)	8 bit (256 values per channel)
Dynamic range	Full sensor dynamic range	Processed and clipped in-camera
White balance	Fully adjustable in post	Baked in — partial correction possible
Noise reduction	Apply in post for best results	Applied in-camera
Shareable directly	No — needs conversion	Yes — works everywhere
Storage per 100 photos	2–5 GB	200–800 MB
Battery drain	More — larger buffer writes	Less

When RAW wins

✓File size (typical): 20–50 MB per image
✓Colour bit depth: 12–14 bit (4096–16384 values per channel)
✓Dynamic range: Full sensor dynamic range

When JPG wins

✓File size (typical): 2–8 MB per image
✓Colour bit depth: 8 bit (256 values per channel)
✓Dynamic range: Processed and clipped in-camera

Frequently asked questions

Can I see a quality difference between RAW and JPG?

On social media or a phone screen: typically no. At 100% zoom in post-processing: yes — RAW has more recoverable highlight detail and less noise. In a large print: yes — RAW's 14-bit colour depth shows more gradients. The practical difference depends on what you're doing with the image: casual sharing (JPG wins for convenience), serious editing and printing (RAW wins for flexibility).

Should I shoot RAW or JPG on my first camera?

JPG to start — learn composition, exposure, and light without worrying about post-processing. Once you're comfortable with the camera and consistently getting good exposures, switch to RAW to unlock the full editing potential. The 'shoot RAW' advice assumes you have time and skills to post-process every image — for beginners, the camera's JPG processing is often better than an inexperienced RAW edit.