Should You Shoot RAW or JPEG?
RAW is an unprocessed file containing all the data your camera's sensor captured; JPEG is a compressed, ready-to-use file that discards some of that data to save space. RAW gives you maximum image quality and editing control; JPEG gives you speed and convenience. Most photographers who edit their work should shoot RAW.
Shoot RAW if you edit your photos, shoot landscapes or wildlife, or want the best possible image quality. RAW preserves all the data your sensor captures and gives you full control in post-processing.
Shoot JPEG if you need images ready to use immediately, shoot at high volume (sports, events), or rarely edit your photos. JPEG is smaller, faster, and instantly shareable.
Shoot RAW+JPEG if you want the best of both. Most modern cameras support this simultaneously: a JPEG for quick review and sharing, a RAW file for any shot that needs careful processing.
Bottom line: If in doubt, shoot RAW. Storage is cheap; recovering a blown highlight or lifting crushed shadows from a JPEG is often impossible.
Deciding between RAW vs JPEG (or JPEG vs RAW, depending which way you look at it) can be a bewildering task for photographers, both amateur and professional. The difference between JPEG and RAW significantly impacts your image's quality, file size, and editing capabilities. This article will demystify JPEG and RAW and explain the key differences to help simplify your decision-making process.
Photographing the Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye (above), shot as a single RAW image directly into the sun, using a graduated ND filter to reduce the dynamic range and prevent blown highlights. That kind of recovery simply isn't possible shooting JPEG.
What Happens to Your Photo?
The fundamental difference between RAW and JPEG is when the processing decisions are made, and whether you get to make them.
With RAW, every editing decision is yours to make after the fact. With JPEG, the camera makes those decisions the moment you press the shutter. Most of that data is then discarded.
Understanding the Key Differences Between RAW and JPEG
RAW vs JPEG files differ in terms of compression, image quality, dynamic range, colour accuracy, file size, and editing flexibility. Here's what each of those differences means in practice.
Compression and Processing
A RAW image file embodies an unfiltered representation of light data captured by the camera sensor. The RAW image format is an uncompressed file format, unprocessed in every sense. Conversely, a JPEG undergoes substantial processing within the camera itself before it is saved. From contrast enhancement to sharpening, these manipulations, together with lossy compression, compromise some data quality but endow JPEGs with a sharper initial appearance and smaller file size.
Image Quality and Detail
A RAW photo preserves the full resolution of your camera's sensor, capturing every subtle nuance of colour, tone, and texture. Each RAW file contains the maximum level of detail the sensor recorded. Because RAW files aren't compressed, RAW allows you to keep every bit of that information for post-processing. JPEG files, while still producing visually pleasing images, apply lossy compression that discards some of that captured information. The difference is most visible in fine detail areas like foliage, feathers, or textured rock faces, all subjects common on UK Photo Tours workshops.
Dynamic Range
Dynamic range refers to the difference between the brightest and darkest parts of an image. RAW files excel here, capturing a greater dynamic range than JPEG, preserving more detail in both the bright highlights of a sky and the dark shadows of a foreground. This is particularly valuable for landscape photography, where a bright sky and dark land are frequently in the same frame.
A 3-shot HDR from RAW at the Quiraing, Isle of Skye. The full dynamic range between the bright sky and dark foreground is only recoverable when shooting RAW.
Colour Accuracy
RAW files provide a wider colour gamut and greater bit depth (typically 12 or 14 bits vs JPEG's 8 bits), allowing for more accurate colour reproduction. This means you can accurately reproduce the colours of the scene and make precise tweaks to achieve your desired look. JPEG files undergo compression and processing in-camera, which may result in some loss of colour accuracy, though for casual photography and social media sharing, this is rarely noticeable.
File Size
The file size is one of the most practically significant differences between RAW and JPEG. RAW files are typically 3–8× larger than their JPEG equivalents because they retain all the original information captured by the camera sensor. On a memory card or hard drive, this difference adds up quickly. A full day's shooting in RAW on a 45-megapixel camera can easily fill a 64 GB card.
Editing Flexibility
Editing a RAW file is non-destructive. You're applying adjustments to an instruction set that sits on top of the original data, which always remains intact. You can undo any change, try alternative interpretations of the same frame, or return to the original years later. JPEG editing is destructive: every time you save a JPEG with adjustments, the file is recompressed and some data is permanently lost. Repeated edits and saves progressively degrade a JPEG.
Benefits of Shooting in RAW Format
Happisburgh Lighthouse, Norfolk. The dramatic dynamic range between the glowing sky and the foreground is recoverable only because this was shot in RAW.
Greater Control Over Exposure
One of the primary benefits of shooting in RAW is the ability to adjust exposure after the fact. RAW offers significantly more tonal information than JPEGs, and RAW gives you the latitude to recover blown highlights and lift crushed shadows in post-processing. The kind of detail you can pull out of a RAW file simply isn't possible with JPEG. Those are the practical benefits of RAW that matter most in challenging light. This becomes especially powerful in challenging lighting conditions such as shooting into the sun, capturing golden-hour landscapes, or photographing wildlife in dappled woodland light.
By shooting RAW, photographers have far more control over achieving their desired level of brightness and contrast in their final images, with a much greater margin for error at the point of capture.
Enhanced White Balance Adjustments
White balance is a crucial aspect of photography as it determines the overall colour temperature and tint of an image. When shooting RAW, photographers have complete freedom to adjust white balance during post-processing without any penalty. Unlike JPEG files, which have a pre-set white balance determined by the camera at the time of capture, RAW files allow you to fine-tune white balance settings without sacrificing image quality. This flexibility ensures accurate and true-to-life colours in the final result.
Retaining More Detail in Shadows and Highlights
RAW files retain far more information in the extreme tonal regions of an image, the deep shadows and the bright highlights. This means that even in challenging lighting conditions (a sunrise seascape, a backlit portrait, a sun-lit coastal scene), photographers can retrieve information from the RAW data that would be permanently lost in a JPEG. The difference in recoverable dynamic range between RAW and JPEG is typically 2–4 stops, which is the difference between a ruined shot and a keeper.
Non-Destructive Editing
Non-destructive editing means your original file is never altered. Every adjustment you make in Lightroom, Capture One, or similar software is stored as a set of instructions alongside the original RAW file. You can always revert to the original, compare edits side by side, or apply different processing to the same file for different outputs. This is invaluable for professional photographers and anyone who wants to revisit and re-edit their archive years later.
Advantages of Shooting in JPEG Format (vs RAW)
Smaller File Sizes Compared to RAW Files
JPEG files have the advantage of significantly smaller file sizes compared to RAW. This means they take up less storage space, making JPEG a practical choice for photographers who shoot in high volume or need to conserve memory card space. A 64 GB card that holds around 600–800 RAW files from a modern mirrorless camera might hold 4,000–6,000 JPEGs. Additionally, cameras can write JPEGs faster, allowing for longer continuous bursts without the camera buffer filling.
Instantly Usable Images
JPEG format produces instantly usable images straight out of the camera. Unlike RAW files, which require post-processing to bring out their full potential, JPEG files are processed in-camera and ready to be shared or printed immediately. This makes JPEG ideal for events photographers, photojournalists, sports photographers, and anyone who needs images ready to go within minutes of capture.
Easy Sharing and Printing
JPEGs are universally compatible. They can be opened on any device, emailed, uploaded to social media, or sent to a print lab without any conversion. RAW files, by contrast, require dedicated software to open and must be exported to another format before sharing. For casual photographers who primarily share on Instagram or want prints quickly made, JPEG removes this friction entirely.
Suitable for Everyday Photography
For everyday photography (family snapshots, holidays, casual street photography) the quality difference between RAW and JPEG is often imperceptible in the final result, particularly if the exposure and white balance are set correctly at the point of capture. The convenience of JPEG makes it the natural choice when simplicity and speed matter more than maximum editing latitude.
Disadvantages of RAW: When the Trade-offs Matter
For all the benefits of RAW, there are real disadvantages to consider before you commit to shooting RAW for everything. Understanding the trade-offs helps you make a sensible choice rather than a dogmatic one.
RAW Files Require Post-Processing
Every RAW file is, by design, an unfinished image. RAW files require post-processing software (Lightroom, Capture One, Adobe Camera Raw, or DXO PhotoLab) to convert the RAW data into a viewable, shareable image. If you don't enjoy editing, or simply don't have the time, that mandatory step becomes a serious disadvantage of RAW.
Larger File Sizes and Slower Workflow
RAW files take significantly more storage space than JPEGs, and they take longer to write to a memory card and longer to import, preview, and export. A full shoot day in RAW can easily generate 30–60 GB of files. Converting a RAW file to JPEG for sharing adds another step, and managing a large RAW archive demands more storage planning than a JPEG workflow.
Camera Compatibility and Proprietary Formats
Most modern cameras support RAW, but each manufacturer uses their own RAW image format, Canon CR3, Nikon NEF, Sony ARW, Fujifilm RAF, which means you need RAW conversion software that recognises your specific camera. Newer camera models sometimes aren't immediately supported by older versions of Lightroom or Photoshop, which can be a frustration if you've recently upgraded gear.
Not Ideal for High-Volume or Time-Critical Shooting
If you've ever tried shooting in RAW at a fast-paced event, you'll have noticed the camera buffer fills faster and burst length drops. For sports, press, and event photographers working to tight deadlines, JPEG is often the more practical choice. The raw compression and writing overhead simply costs you frames you needed to catch.
Should You Shoot RAW or JPEG? Format Guide by Photography Type
The right answer depends on the situation. Here's a quick guide by photography type.
Dynamic range recovery is essential. RAW lets you balance bright skies with dark foregrounds in post.
Fine feather and fur detail benefit from RAW's superior sharpness, and exposure recovery is invaluable in dappled light.
Instantly shareable, small files. The quality difference is negligible at screen resolution.
JPEG for quick previews and immediate delivery; RAW for safety net on critical shots.
JPEG for everyday shots and quick sharing; RAW for the special moments you know you'll want to process carefully.
Faster write speeds mean a longer burst buffer. Fast action also demands good in-camera exposure, where JPEG's penalty is minimal.
RAW retains the most noise-reduction latitude in post and preserves more detail in the shadows at high ISO.
Clients expect maximum quality and editing flexibility. RAW is the professional standard.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Between RAW and JPEG
The RAW vs JPEG decision is rarely clear-cut, and it depends on the situation. Consider these four factors when making your choice.
Purpose of the Photos
The intended purpose of your photos is the most important factor. If you are a professional photographer, require high-quality images for commercial purposes, or are capturing unique moments on a photography holiday, shooting in RAW is strongly recommended. RAW format allows for greater control over exposure and white balance during post-processing, ensuring that your final images meet the highest standards. If you plan on printing large-format photos or extensively editing your images, RAW is the right choice.
On the other hand, if your photos are primarily for personal use, social media sharing, or informal documentation, JPEG's convenience and smaller file sizes make it perfectly adequate.
Storage and Memory Constraints
RAW files are significantly larger than JPEG files, so storage capacity is a practical consideration. If you are shooting on a long trip without access to a computer to offload cards, or if you have limited hard drive space, JPEG's smaller footprint becomes a meaningful advantage. That said, the falling cost of high-capacity memory cards and hard drives has made this concern less significant for most photographers than it once was.
Level of Post-Processing Required
If you enjoy the post-processing workflow and want maximum control over your final image, shooting RAW makes perfect sense. If you prefer to spend your time shooting rather than editing, and your camera produces pleasing JPEGs with your preferred picture profile, JPEG is a more efficient choice. Cameras from all major manufacturers now produce excellent JPEGs with well-tuned picture profiles. The quality gap has narrowed considerably for photographers who get the exposure right at capture.
Time and Workflow Efficiency
RAW files require more time and processing power. They need to be converted into other formats for sharing or printing, and each file demands at least some post-processing attention. JPEG images are instantly usable, requiring minimal post-processing. For situations where speed is essential, whether that's press photography, sports, or sharing images the same evening, JPEG's workflow advantage is significant. For careful, considered photography where quality is the priority, the time invested in RAW processing is well worth it.
Recommended Scenarios for Shooting in RAW
Golden sunrise at Durdle Door, Jurassic Coast, Dorset. Captured on a UK Photo Tours landscape workshop. The subtle graduation between the lit sea and shadowed cliff face is only fully recoverable from RAW.
Professional Photography
For professional photographers, RAW is the industry standard. Commercial clients expect the highest image quality and maximum post-processing flexibility. Whether shooting advertising campaigns, fine-art landscapes for print, or editorial work, RAW ensures you have full control over the final result and can accommodate any client brief.
Landscape and Nature Photography
Landscape photography regularly places a bright sky against a dark foreground, a scene where RAW's dynamic range advantage is most pronounced. Being able to recover blown cloud detail and lift shadowed foreground in post-processing is genuinely transformative for landscape images. Long-exposure scenarios, such as waterfall photography in Wales, are among the most demanding, bright cascading water against shadowed, mossy gorge walls sits at the extreme end of what a JPEG can handle. The same applies to nature photography: delicate feather detail in birds, subtle fur texture in mammals, and fine detail in wildflowers all benefit from RAW's additional sharpness and tonal information.
Low-Light or High-Contrast Situations
In challenging lighting conditions, from a sunset on the coast to a cathedral interior or nightscape shoot, RAW provides a meaningful safety net. Photographers can recover an image that would be a complete write-off as a JPEG: pulling back highlights from a nearly-blown sky, recovering shadow detail from dark foreground elements, or removing colour casts from mixed artificial lighting. RAW essentially extends the margin for error at the point of capture.
A fluffy newborn grey seal pup with mum at Horsey Gap, Norfolk, photographed on a grey seal photography tour. The fine detail in the fur and the subtle tonal gradations in the pale coat are best preserved in RAW.
Recommended Scenarios for Shooting in JPEG
Casual Photography
Casual photography, everyday moments, family events, and holiday snapshots, rarely demands the editing latitude that RAW provides. In these situations, shooting JPEG allows you to enjoy the moment without worrying about post-processing a large library of files afterwards. Modern cameras produce excellent JPEGs with minimal effort, and for images that will primarily be viewed on a phone or laptop screen, the quality difference compared to RAW is negligible.
Quick Sharing on Social Media
Social media platforms compress and resize images anyway, which largely equalises the quality difference between RAW and JPEG for online viewing. If your primary output channel is Instagram, Facebook, or similar platforms, JPEG's immediate usability, no processing required and ready to share within seconds, is a meaningful practical advantage.
Events and Documenting Moments
At events such as parties, concerts, or sports competitions, the priority is often capturing as many moments as possible rather than achieving maximum image quality on each individual frame. JPEG's faster write speed allows for longer continuous bursts, and the instantly usable files mean you can share images with attendees the same evening. For event and documentary photography where volume and speed matter, JPEG is often the more sensible choice.
Consider Shooting RAW + JPEG
Most modern cameras allow you to shoot both formats simultaneously, writing a RAW file and a JPEG to the card at the same time. This gives you the best of both worlds: instant-use JPEGs for quick review and sharing, with RAW files as a back-up for any shots that need careful processing.
This is especially useful when you're learning post-processing. The JPEG shows you what the camera thinks the "correct" result looks like, and the RAW file gives you the freedom to disagree with it and produce your own interpretation.
"We often use RAW + JPEG shooting mode when we lend our equipment to clients on our photography tours. It means they can enjoy their shots immediately on the back of the camera, while we retain the RAW files for post-processing sessions later in the workshop."
Dion Hitchcock, UK Photo Tours
Tips for Maximising the Benefits of RAW and JPEG Photos
Proper Exposure and White Balance Settings
Regardless of which format you choose, getting proper exposure and white balance at the point of capture is crucial. In RAW format, you have the advantage of being able to easily adjust both during post-processing, but starting with a well-exposed image will always produce better results. RAW latitude is not a substitute for a correct exposure. In JPEG format, because adjustments are baked in at capture, it's even more important to nail exposure and white balance in-camera, as your correction latitude is much more limited.
Shooting in RAW+JPEG Mode
Using RAW+JPEG mode simultaneously gives you the safety net of a RAW file with the convenience of a ready-to-use JPEG. This is a popular workflow for photographers who want the best of both formats. The JPEGs can be quickly reviewed, shared, or uploaded while the RAW files are processed more carefully at a later stage. The trade-off is doubled storage requirements, but with the cost of memory cards and storage now so low, this is a sensible default for most photographers who shoot seriously.
Utilising Camera Profiles and Presets
Many cameras offer customisable picture profiles, presets that control how the camera processes your JPEGs (or how the JPEG preview of a RAW file looks on the camera screen). Choosing a neutral or flat picture profile when shooting RAW is worthwhile, as it gives the most accurate preview of the RAW data's potential. When shooting JPEG, choosing a picture profile that matches your intended output (vivid for landscapes, natural for portraits) can reduce the post-processing required and produce a pleasing result straight from the camera.
Conclusion: Should You Shoot RAW or JPEG?
The choice between RAW and JPEG ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences as a photographer. If you prioritise image quality, editing flexibility, and have the time to invest in post-processing, shooting RAW is the recommended approach, particularly for landscape, wildlife, and professional work where dynamic range and fine detail matter.
On the other hand, if convenience, smaller file sizes, and ease of sharing are important, then JPEG is a perfectly valid choice for casual photography, events, and social media. For many photographers, the ideal answer is neither one nor the other, but RAW+JPEG simultaneously, enjoying the convenience of JPEG while retaining the safety net and quality ceiling of RAW for every shot.
Software for Processing RAW and JPEG Photos
These are the main tools used by photographers on UK Photo Tours workshops for converting and editing RAW files.
Astrophotographers also need dedicated stacking software before the RAW conversion step. See our full guide to astrophotography stacking software.
Video Tutorials
Watch these two videos for a deeper understanding of the RAW vs JPEG choice and how it applies to your photography.
5 Steps to Better Understanding When to Shoot RAW vs JPEG | Mastering Your Craft
RAW vs JPEG Explained! Take Your Photography to the Next Level
Learn RAW Editing on Location
On our photography workshops across the UK, you'll shoot in RAW and process your images the same evening, guided by Dion. From Scottish Highlands to the Jurassic Coast, every tour includes a post-processing session.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between RAW files and JPEG images?
The main difference is how the image data is stored and processed. A RAW file stores all the unprocessed sensor data captured at the moment of shooting. Nothing is applied to it by the camera. A JPEG has been processed by the camera (white balance applied, sharpening added, noise reduction applied) and then compressed using lossy compression, which permanently discards some data to reduce the file size. RAW files give you much more control in post-processing; JPEGs trade that flexibility for convenience and smaller files.
Should I shoot RAW or JPEG?
It depends on your specific needs. If you want more control over the editing process and the highest possible image quality, particularly for landscape, wildlife, or professional photography, shooting RAW is recommended. If you prefer smaller file sizes and don't plan on extensive post-processing, JPEG is more convenient. Many photographers use RAW+JPEG mode simultaneously, capturing both formats for every shot.
What are the advantages of shooting in RAW format?
The main advantages of shooting RAW are: full control over the editing process, the ability to retain all of the original data captured by your camera's sensor, greater flexibility for adjusting exposure and white balance in post, non-destructive editing (your original is never altered), and superior dynamic range recovery, the ability to pull back blown highlights and lift crushed shadows in ways that simply aren't possible with JPEG.
When should I shoot in JPEG instead of RAW?
JPEG is the better choice when you need images that are immediately ready to use without post-processing, when you want to save images as JPEG straight from the camera. A JPEG photo works well when storage space is limited, when shooting at high volume (sports, events) where the buffer speed advantage matters, or when simplicity is the priority and you're confident in your in-camera exposure and white balance settings. Saving a photo in JPEG suits most casual use perfectly well, and JPEG is also fine for social media where the output is viewed on screen at normal sizes.
Can I convert a JPEG file into a RAW image?
No, not in any meaningful sense. You can convert a RAW file to JPEG, but not the other way around. Once a JPEG has been created, the data that was discarded during compression is gone permanently. You can open a JPEG in a RAW editor like Lightroom or Capture One, but the editing latitude will be vastly reduced compared to a genuine RAW file. There is no way to restore the lost information, which is why it's worth shooting RAW+JPEG and choosing to keep the RAW file for anything you might want to edit later.
Can I shoot both RAW and JPEG images simultaneously?
Yes, most modern digital cameras (DSLRs and mirrorless) offer a RAW+JPEG mode that records both formats with every shot. This is an excellent option if you want the convenience of immediately usable JPEGs alongside the quality and editing safety net of RAW files. The main trade-off is that you'll use roughly twice as much storage space on your memory card and hard drive.
Which format is better for editing, RAW or JPEG?
RAW is significantly better for editing. Because RAW files contain the full, unprocessed sensor data, you have far more latitude to adjust exposure, colour, contrast, and detail without degrading the image. JPEG editing is possible, but every save re-compresses the file and introduces additional quality loss. Repeated edits and saves gradually degrade a JPEG, while a RAW file is never altered by the editing process.
Are all professional photographers shooting in RAW?
The vast majority of professional photographers shooting landscapes, portraits, wildlife, and commercial work use RAW as their primary format. However, not all professionals use RAW in all situations. Sports and press photographers often shoot JPEG due to the need for faster write speeds and immediate file transmission. Some photographers also use RAW+JPEG to combine quality with workflow speed. The "right" answer depends on the type of work and the demands of the workflow.
Can I edit a JPEG image as effectively as a RAW image?
No, not to the same degree. A JPEG can be adjusted in post-processing, but the limited bit depth (8-bit vs 12 or 14-bit for RAW) means that significant tonal adjustments quickly introduce banding, noise, and artefacts. Recovering a severely under- or over-exposed JPEG is very difficult and the results rarely match what a correctly processed RAW file would produce. For modest, gentle adjustments to a correctly exposed image, JPEGs can produce very good results, but they lack the headroom of RAW for more aggressive corrections.
Can I open RAW files directly on my computer?
RAW files require dedicated software to open, as they are not a universally standardised format. Each camera manufacturer has their own RAW format (Canon .CR3, Nikon .NEF, Sony .ARW, etc.). You can open them using Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop (via Camera Raw), Capture One, DXO PhotoLab, Darktable, or your camera manufacturer's own software. Windows and macOS also include basic RAW viewing support, though a codec or plugin may be required for newer camera models.