Most modern cameras let you shoot in RAW or JPEG, but choosing the right format isn’t always obvious. At Fotober, we often hear the question: “Should I shoot in RAW or JPEG—and what’s the real difference?” The truth is, each format has its pros and cons, and the best choice depends on your workflow, editing needs, and project goals. In this guide, we’ll break down the key differences to help you decide what works best for your next shoot.
What Do RAW Vs JPEG Format Mean In Photography?
RAW Format
A RAW file is what the name suggests: raw, unprocessed data. It contains the image data exactly as captured on your camera sensor.
A RAW file is unprocessed data, capturing the image exactly as it appears on your camera sensor. Any settings like white balance or Picture Style are only appended to the file. You can alter them later using RAW processing software such as Canon’s Digital Photo Professional (DPP) or Adobe Photoshop (with the Adobe Camera Raw plug-in). Often called a “digital negative,” a RAW file can be processed and printed in various ways with different results, much like a film negative.
Importantly, the original RAW file remains unchanged. When you edit and save it, you create a new file (typically a JPEG or TIFF), preserving the original for future use.
The term RAW doesn’t stand for anything specific. It’s simply a convention to write it in capital letters. Canon cameras save RAW files with extensions like .CR2 until the introduction of the DIGIC 8 processor, which brought the .CR3 format. Some models also offer M-RAW and S-RAW files, which are lower resolution but retain most of the advantages of RAW files while saving storage space. The DIGIC 8 processor also introduced C-RAW, which offers the same resolution as RAW but with 35–55% smaller file sizes due to lossy compression.
RAW files can vary even among different models of the same brand. You need regular updates to RAW processing software like DPP to support new camera models.
Advantages
Far more shades of color
Wider dynamic range and color gamut
Finer control and adjustment potential
Can adjust color space after image capture
Raw images are lossless
Better sharpening potential
Can be used to convert to other Raw formats
Proof of ownership and authenticity
Disadvantages
Must be post-processed
Requires more storage
Raw format compatibility
Sharing issues
More files to manage
JPEG Format
JPEG stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group, the organization that originally defined the JPEG standard. All JPEG files adhere to this universal standard, regardless of their size and quality. When you set your camera to save images as JPEGs, it processes the captured information and saves it as a compressed file. You can choose different image sizes (Large, Medium, or Small) and quality settings (various levels of compression), which affect the file size.
Selecting Large and Fine Quality produces the highest quality JPEGs. At the same time, Small and Normal allow you to store more images on your memory card. However, even at the highest quality setting, the camera discards much of the data it initially captured.
During processing, the camera applies parameters like Picture Style and other settings, which are permanently embedded in the JPEG file and cannot be altered later. You can still edit JPEGs using image editing software to adjust color, exposure, and other aspects. However, since JPEGs are 8-bit files, they contain less information than the 10-bit, 12-bit, or 14-bit RAW files offered by EOS digital cameras. This results in less flexibility for extensive editing.
For minor edits and prints up to A4 size, this limitation might not be significant. But if you plan to make larger edits or bigger prints, the reduced editing headroom could be a concern. Additionally, JPEG files are recompressed each time they are edited and saved, potentially leading to further data loss with each subsequent save.
Understanding these characteristics of JPEG files helps you make informed decisions. You should definitely know when to use JPEG vs RAW for your real estate photography needs.
Advantages
Already processed
Small footprint
No camera slowdown
Choice of compression
Faster backups
Disadvantages
Lossy compression
JPEG is 8-bit
Limited recovery options
Camera settings impact JPEG images
The Similarities Between RAW Vs JPEG
RAW and JPEG are two popular file formats used in digital photography, both serving as essential tools for capturing and processing images. They are integral to the workflow of photographers, whether amateur or professional. Both formats can be opened and viewed on most modern devices, though RAW files may require specific software for full accessibility. They also support various color profiles, such as sRGB and Adobe RGB. They ensure accurate color representation across different devices and applications.
Both RAW and JPEG formats store metadata, including camera settings, date, time, and location, which aids in organizing and editing photos. Furthermore, while their compression methods differ, both formats aim to reduce file size compared to the original image data, making them practical for storage and sharing.
Despite their differences in data storage and processing, RAW and JPEG files are versatile and widely used options in digital photography.
5 Key Differences Between JPEG Vs Raw Files
Professional and amateur photographers regularly debate whether shooting in JPEG or RAW is better. While both raster file formats share similarities, there are key advantages and disadvantages to each.
File Sizes
The primary difference between JPEG vs RAW files is their size. RAW files are significantly larger than JPEG files because they contain all the raw image data captured by your camera’s sensors, completely uncompressed. This uncompressed data is akin to working with a film negative in traditional photography. It preserves all the original details, giving you complete control over the editing process. This makes RAW files ideal for large-format printing, such as billboards.
However, shooting in RAW requires larger memory cards, which fill up quickly, limiting the number of photos you can take in one session.
In contrast, JPEG files are much smaller because the data they contain is compressed. When shooting in JPEG, the camera’s image processor compresses and develops the image, resulting in a more manageable file size. This smaller size allows you to store more images on your camera, computer, or other storage devices. JPEGs are convenient for sharing and quick storage but offer less flexibility in post-processing compared to RAW files.
Image Quality
The primary advantage of shooting in RAW format lies in its ability to produce high-quality images. You can edit your photos to achieve the best possible results. RAW files retain all the details captured by your camera’s sensors, resulting in a wider dynamic range and a far greater color spectrum compared to JPEGs. This means that if a RAW image is under or overexposed, it is much easier to recover details and adjust exposure. It offers greater control over sharpening and other editing processes.
Furthermore, since RAW files are lossless, unprocessed, and uncompressed, they maintain their original high quality without any degradation in resolution. They can handle extensive resize or editing. In contrast, when you compress a RAW file into a JPEG image, it undergoes a lossy compression process. While this compression reduces file size, it also leads to loss of data and detail from the photograph, potentially resulting in a grainy or pixelated appearance.
Additionally, due to the 8-bit nature of JPEGs, there are inherent color limitations compared to RAW files, which can have higher bit depths of 12 or 16 bits.
Understanding these differences underscores the importance of choosing the appropriate format based on the desired level of control and quality in the editing process.
In-Camera Processing
Fully recovered image in RAW format
A failed attempt at recovering a JPEG image
JPEG files benefit from in-camera processing. The camera applies settings such as white balance, contrast, saturation, and sharpening before saving the file. This means the image is ready to use straight out of the camera with minimal or no additional editing needed, making it ideal for quick turnaround situations.
On the other hand, RAW files are not processed by the camera. It means you have to manually apply these adjustments during post-processing. While this provides greater flexibility and control over the final image, it also requires more time and effort to achieve the desired result. This difference is crucial for photographers who need to balance quality with workflow efficiency.
For most photographers, shooting in RAW will far outweigh the advantages of using JPEG. Storage is cheap nowadays and so the file size will not be a huge problem, even for backups.
The additional time required to process RAW is a small sacrifice for the amazing ability to recover information from RAW photos. Many photographers have taken a badly exposed image or messed up white balance on a photograph that was too important to discard, such as a photograph from a wedding or a paid corporate shoot.
Editing and Sharing
You need to process and convert a RAW file into a JPEG, TIFF, or another relevant format before you can open and edit it. Software such as Adobe Photoshop Lightroom allows you to process RAW files, make edits, and export them as formats like JPEG or PNG, creating a copy while preserving the RAW file with all its details.
Due to their large size, sharing RAW files can be challenging, and recipients need the appropriate software to open them. This is why many clients, printers, and designers request JPEG files, which are easier to open and preview.
RAW vs JPEG
JPEGs are among the most widely used digital file formats. Numerous modern devices and software support this format. As a type of raster file, JPEGs are compatible with many programs and can be shared via email, social media, and other channels. The main drawback of JPEGs is the quality difference compared to RAW files. They offer less data for detailed editing. Despite this, JPEGs remain a convenient and accessible format for everyday use and quick sharing.
Speed
JPEG images allow for quick transfers and immediate opening with editing software, or direct sending without any need for post-processing. Their smaller size facilitates faster transfers and helps avoid any camera slowdown during shooting.
In contrast, RAW files require additional time for processing and conversion into formats like JPEG, PNG, or TIFF. This means you store two versions of the same image. You also consume more storage space, leading to longer backup and transfer times. Additionally, shooting in RAW can cause the camera to slow down, potentially reducing your frame rate.
JPEG Vs RAW – Which Is The Best?
There is no simple answer to this. It depends on several factors, and what you need at one time may not be suitable in other circumstances.
Personally, I recommend shooting at maximum resolution, preferably in RAW format, for the maximum image quality. If you are a real estate photographer planning to do extensive post-capture processing or you need to produce very large prints, capturing the highest quality RAW files with the least compression is usually best. Learning how to edit real estate photos in Photoshop using RAW files gives you the best flexibility and control for post-processing, ensuring your property photos look polished and professional. This provides the most image data to work with, allowing for better adjustments and edits.
If you need rapid access to your images, shooting compressed JPEG files allows you to read the files directly from the memory card. JPEGs are ready to use immediately, which is convenient for quick sharing and on-the-go usage. Don’t assume that JPEG means poor image quality. High-quality JPEGs can still produce excellent results for on-screen viewing or prints up to A4 size.
For those who want JPEGs for quick sharing but also the flexibility of RAW files for detailed editing later, the RAW+JPEG option is worth considering. This mode saves each image in both formats simultaneously, offering the best of both worlds. However, this approach consumes more memory card space and requires longer transfer times.
The best way to find what works for you is to experiment. Shoot the same subject in different file formats, with various combinations of resolution and compression, and review the images on a computer screen. Print images from the smallest and largest files to see what differences, if any, you notice.
Ultimately, the choice between JPEG and RAW depends on your specific needs, the context in which you’re shooting, and your workflow preferences. In real estate photo editing, using the RAW format is often the best choice for ensuring high-quality, detailed images that can be fine-tuned to showcase a property’s best features. Each format has its strengths and can be the best choice in different scenarios.
Conclusion
For real estate photographers, choosing between RAW vs JPEG can make a big difference in both workflow and final image quality. At Fotober, we recommend using the RAW+JPEG setting to get the best of both worlds - fast previews for clients and high-quality files for editing. Understanding when to use each format helps you work more efficiently, meet client needs, and deliver stunning property photos that stand out in today’s market.
