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Image Format

RW2

Panasonic RAW Image

RW2 is Panasonic's proprietary RAW image format, used in Lumix cameras (both MFT and L-Mount full-frame systems). Like all RAW formats, RW2 stores minimally processed sensor data for maximum editing latitude in Lightroom, Capture One, or Panasonic Lumix Lab. The format preserves everything the sensor captured — recoverable shadows, clipped highlights, and full colour information.

What is RW2?

RW2 files contain a 12-bit (older cameras) or 14-bit (newer cameras) Bayer-pattern sensor readout with Panasonic's proprietary lossless or lossy RAW compression. Panasonic's newer L-Mount bodies (S5 II, G9 II, BGH1) support both standard RW2 and HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) photo modes that produce RW2 with a different tone curve intended for HDR displays. The format includes extensive Panasonic-specific EXIF data for image stabilisation, dual native ISO, and V-Log metadata.

RW2 pros and cons

Advantages

  • Maximum dynamic range from Panasonic sensors
  • 14-bit depth on modern Lumix bodies
  • V-Log and HLG metadata preserved for HDR workflows
  • Supported by Lightroom, Capture One, darktable
  • Dual Native ISO metadata helps correct sensor noise profile

Limitations

  • Proprietary format with occasional third-party software lag
  • HLG-mode RW2 requires recent software to interpret correctly
  • Large file sizes vs JPEG
  • Some older RW2 files from first-gen Lumix cameras have limited support

When should you convert RW2 files?

Convert RW2 to JPEG for sharing on social media and with clients. Convert to TIFF-16bit for retouching that preserves bit depth. Convert to DNG using Adobe DNG Converter for a universally archivable RAW format. For video-style grading of stills, export to TIFF with V-Log tone curve preserved for colour grading in DaVinci Resolve.

Convert RW2 files

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RW2 FAQ

Can Lightroom open RW2 files?
Yes — Adobe Camera Raw and Lightroom Classic/CC support RW2 files from all major Panasonic Lumix cameras. Support for the newest bodies (e.g., S9, G9 II) is added within weeks of the camera's release. Check Adobe's Camera Raw compatibility page for your specific model.
How do I convert RW2 to DNG?
Use Adobe DNG Converter (free): drag your RW2 files onto the application. The resulting DNG files embed the original RW2 data inside a standardised container. DNG is supported by every major RAW processor and will remain openable by future software even after Panasonic discontinues RW2.
What is RW2 Lossless Raw Compression?
Panasonic's L-Mount bodies offer Lossless Compressed RAW — a reversible compression that reduces RW2 file size by ~30% without any image data loss, similar to FLAC for audio. All major RAW processors decode lossless RW2 identically to uncompressed RW2.

More formats

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