Raw or Jpeg?

Joined: 10 Feb 2006 Posts: 774

I have a 1 GB card in my camera, but even with a card that big, I find saving pics in RAW moder doesn't leave me with many shots (I have a 8MP camera), so I opt for Jpeg, and I am Very happy with the results....can anyone fill me in on the Pros of Raw, because I can't tell the difference, not really......

Joined: 01 Feb 2006 Posts: 94 Location: Winona, MN

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http://www.phototakers.com/forum/ftopic40270.html

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 8:21 pm

littleMick2 wrote:

....can anyone fill me in on the Pros of Raw, because I can't tell the difference, not really......

1) Better color. This is the case b/c most cameras that have the ability to save RAW files do so in 12 bit vs. the 8 bit JPG limit. Even if you bring in the JPG and edit it in 16 bit mode, the 12 bit color data has already been compressed and lost. Opening the JPG and editing in 16 bit will not bring it back. With RAW you have the full 12 bit original data.

2) No artifacts. JPG compression is a lossy compression. This means that you lose quality in the compression of the file. This is not opinion it is fact. Most shots will display the issue if you print it at larger sizes 8x10, 11x14 etc. RAW files do not have compression issues. The data is all there to be used. This IS NOT digital noise. I am talking about artifacts (defects) introduced in addition to noise, if any.

3) Post processing is more flexible. This is true of Exposure, White Balance, Contrast, Saturation, et al. For example, while you can change color balance in JPGs you cannot do it without altering the actual pixels that make up the shot. In a RAW file when you change the WB and convert the RAW file it is like shooting a new picture with that new WB every time. Same for exposure, saturation and everything else.

4) Resizing a RAW file produces better results than resizing a JPG. Again this is due to the artifacts introduced.

In essence RAW capture produces the best output you can get from your digital camera. This is not to say JPG does not produce great results. The results are just not as perfect. RAW and the workflow involved is not required, nor is it for everyone. JPGs are a great alternative and produce good results too, just not the best.