RAW or JPEG format

Should I take photos in RAW or in JPEG format?

In this photo tutorial, we will learn the differences between these two formats and compare their advantages and disadvantages. It will then be up to you to choose whether to take your photos in RAW or in JPEG format.

The raw format

The RAW file, as the name suggests, is basically the native format containing all the raw information from the camera sensor. This digital file contains all the camera settings (i.e., white balance, contrast, saturation, etc.), and we can modify it indefinitely without the loss of information during photo editing via software such as Lightroom or Photoshop To clarify, the extension of a RAW file varies depending on the manufacturer: .NEF at Nikon, .CR2 at Canon, .ARW at Sony, .PEF at Pentax, .RW2 at Panasonic, .ORF at Olympus, .RAF at Fuji, and .X3F at Sigma.

The advantages of this format:

It contains a large amount of information, and also, does not suffer data loss as it does not compress it. It, therefore, offers a high possibility of correction during photo retouching, above all, without the loss of quality as compared to the JPEG format.
A high dynamic range - the RAW file certainly allows us to display a lot of details in highlights and shadows.
You can make changes on the file without any alteration on it because the RAW format is not editable. When you return a RAW photo, a small information file of a few kilobytes called an XMP is automatically created, and as a result, it saves all the changes made to the photo. So, it’s easy to go back as far as you want without degrading it, thanks to processing software such as Lightroom. If you save changes to a JPEG photo, the change is final, and you cannot undo it even if you made a mistake.
You can convert the file into several formats depending on the intended use: JPEG or PNG for use on the internet, similarly TIFF or PSD for modifying in Photoshop or Lightroom.
Then, you can adjust the white balance in post-processing [click here to read the full article on white balance]
Photos can be processed in 16 bits, which is an advantage for photographers who need significant color depth in their retouches.

The disadvantages of the RAW format:

Huge files. A RAW photo taken with a D850 at 45.7 million pixels is not so far from 100MB; therefore, you’ll have fewer photos on the memory card, and they will cover more space on the hard drive. It would also be necessary to provide a consistent storage system. The computer must also be powerful enough to allow the retouching of photos in the RAW format.
It limits the number of photos that one can take in the burst mode because of their size.
Not all software can read RAW files.
Sharing photos is not easy because the files are large and you will have to convert them to JPEG before sending them by email.
It is less flattering than JPEG. RAW photos are dull in comparison to JPEGs because that’s how the sensor captures the image, so it is up to you to correct the color saturation according to your tastes in photo processing software.

The JPEG format

A JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) file offers the best ratio between size and quality. However, a JPEG is compressed in order to reduce its size, which results in a loss of information and quality.

The advantages of the JPEG format:

It is a universal standard format that is used on all digital cameras; therefore, all computers, mobile phones, and software can read it.
It is small in size. Size is an essential advantage because it allows you to store more photos on a memory card and your computer’s hard drive (A RAW file is usually 4 times larger).
It is easy to share photos because the files are smaller.
It allows you to take more photos in bursts. Due to the smaller size, the number of photos that can be captured in the burst mode is higher, and the cadence is more sustained than it is in the RAW format.