Canon EOS 6D: From Snapshots to Great Shots

2. Set Image Quality (RAW/JPEG)

With DSLR cameras, you have the ability to set your image quality to either the JPEG or RAW file format. While most people are familiar with JPEGs because they are the standard format for point-and-shoot cameras and smartphones, the RAW file format might not be as clear. As with most DSLRs, the default setting on your 6D is JPEG, but let’s talk about the differences between the two before you decide which one might work best for you.

JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) is the most commonly used file format. Basically, it was developed to compress images down to more manageable file sizes. While RAW files can be large (beyond 40 MB in some cases), JPEGs are generally about 2 MB apiece, depending on the camera’s ...