JPEG vs. Raw

Digital cameras record images in two different file formats: JPEG and Raw. Both serve a purpose, which is why your camera includes both options. Your approach to exposure will depend on which formats you are using. To understand how this works, we need to look at the differences between them.

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The Difference Between JPEG and Raw

When you take a photo in JPEG format, the camera takes the data captured by the camera’s settings, processes it according to the camera settings (such as white balance and contrast), and saves it as a compressed 8-bit JPEG file. JPEG files contain far less data than the sensor is capable of recording—and the ...

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