The pros and cons of RAW vs. JPEG

There seem to be two image file devotees: those photographers who like to shoot in RAW, and those who prefer to shoot JPEG image format.

Are there clear advantages and disadvantages to one versus the other? If you are undecided, you should know the differences before you pick a side in this ongoing debate of RAW versus JPEG. 

Definition of a RAW Image?

A RAW image file contains unprocessed or minimally processed data from a digital camera's sensor. It is also known as "digital negative." 

A RAW image needs to be post-processed in software before it can be printed, shared, or shown on a display device. It's a proprietary format that's tied to a specific camera model. Opening it is not as easy as opening a JPEG file. Also, the software must be compatible with the camera on which the RAW image was captured. 

RAW files typically have three main components: 

1. a camera-processed full-size JPEG preview + thumbnail

2. the actual RAW data from the image sensor 

3. all relevant header and metadata information. 

The good news about RAW images is that post-processing can yield better dynamic range with improved highlight and shadow recovery options, better colors, and sometimes more detail compared to JPEG images.

If you want your camera to display a recorded image on the viewfinder or rear LCD, you'll need to use the camera-processed JPEG preview. RAW conversion software uses the image header and parts of the metadata for interpreting sensor image data. Other metadata information - like exposure settings, date, and time - can be used for sorting and cataloging images.

The Advantages of RAW Format

There are some significant advantages to the RAW format that you can't get with JPEG. Here are seven of them:

1. RAW images don't lose anything during compression: RAW images typically don't lose anything during compression, unless you specify loss. Unlike JPEG files, they do not suffer from image-compression artifacts.

2. Significantly more color: A 12-bit RAW image can contain up to 68.7 billion colors, while an 8-bit JPEG image can only contain up to 16.8 million colors. 14-bit RAW images significantly increase RGB tonal values to 16,384, which boosts the potential to 4.4 trillion colors. 

3. Adjust color space after image capture: Color space (such as sRGB or Adobe RGB) is not saved into RAW images, allowing you to adjust it to any color space later. 

4. Wider dynamic range and color gamut: A RAW image carries a much wider dynamic range and color gamut than a JPEG image. A RAW image provides much better recovery potential than JPEG.

5. Proof of ownership: RAW images, unlike JPEG, can prove ownership and authenticity. 

6. Finer control and adjustment potential: At the time a RAW image is created, all camera settings, including camera-specific and manufacturer-specific image metadata, are added to that file - including the RAW data from the image sensor. The metadata is then used for the demosaicing and RAW conversion process, which converts a black and white RAW image to color while applying appropriate gamma correction, brightness, contrast, and other adjustments. The RAW image remains unmodified or "non-destructive" allowing you to make adjustments to it later in post-processing applications like Lightroom and Photoshop.

7. Convert & merge to other RAW formats: when using Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, you can merge RAW images to create HDR or panoramic images in a DNG file format.  

The disadvantages of RAW format

It can't be perfect, after all! There are a few downsides to RAW images. Here are five disadvantages of RAW files.

1. RAW format compatibility. Unfortunately, RAW files are not standardized across different camera manufacturers. If you create a RAW file on a Canon, the Sony software cannot read the Canon's RAW images. 

2. Must be post-processed and converted. All RAW files require post-processing and conversion to a format like JPEG before they can be viewed in a normal format.  

3. Sharing issues. RAW files must be converted to a format like JPEG or TIFF before you can share them.

4. Longer backups. Because RAW image files are so large, backing them up to takes more time. 

5. Requires more storage. RAW images take significantly more storage than JPEG images. You'll have to consider this with both memory cards and the camera itself. Take up too much space, and the camera frame rate drops down significantly. You'll also have to account for using up way more computer or device storage space. 

Definition of a JPEG image

A JPEG is an image format that utilizes compression for displaying and storing digital images. It's the most popular file format, thanks largely to its high compression efficiency and that most display devices and software have built-in capabilities to read and display JPEG images. 

The Advantages of JPEG format

1. Ready to use. The great news is that JPEG images are fully processed inside the camera. All settings, such as tone curve, white balance, color saturation, and so on, are applied to the image. You waste any time on post-processing the picture because it's ready to use.

2. Flexibility with compression. Digital cameras and post-processing software offer different compression levels for saving JPEG images. That gives you more flexibility and choice over image quality. 

3. Smaller size advantages. JPEG images are significantly smaller than RAW images, which means they eat up a lot less space on your computer and other devices. You can also shoot more frames per second and longer without slowing down your camera, and it's a heck of a lot faster to back them up.

4. Compatibility. JPEG images are more universally compatible than RAW. 

The disadvantages of JPEG format

Like RAW images, it's not all perfect. There are some downsides to using JPEG, as you've probably realized by now. Here are four of them:

1. Limited to 8-bit. The JPEG image is limited to 8-bits, a hard limitation of 16.8 million possible colors. So, even if your camera can record many more colors, a JPEG isn't able to read them. 

2. Camera settings. Since it's the camera that fully processes JPEG images, any settings damage will be irreversible.  

3. Lossy compression. Be prepared to lose some data when you compress a JPEG. That can result in lower quality through the loss of detail.  

4. Limited recovery. As JPEG images contain much less data, it significantly limits their recovery potential and dynamic range. Unfortunately, that affects what you can achieve during post-processing. 

So, which one should you use RAW or JPEG?

Now that you know the pros and cons of RAW and JPEG, which one is the right one to use?

The most obvious answer is that it depends on what your needs are and what you're shooting. Maybe even what camera you're using. However, we believe that the significant advantages provided by RAW images are unbeatable in most cases. Why?

The advantages of a RAW image outweigh its downsides. For example, storage is easy and cheap enough today, so its size isn't a factor. Its vast color range is so important that spending a little more time in post-processing seems trivial compared to the color advantage. Lightroom's superb cataloging feature saves us a lot of time, anyway! A professional photographer must have more flexibility and control when needing to enhance an image or correct small issues, like exposure or white balance. RAW offers that. JPEG doesn't.

If you're a professional photographer, you'll probably want to work mostly with RAW image files for the flexibility and significant advantages with things like color and data.