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What is RAW?

Camera RAW is a file format containing unprocessed sensor data captured directly from a digital camera sensor, providing maximum flexibility for professional photo editing.

What is DNG?

Adobe Digital Negative (DNG) is an open, universal raw image format designed for long-term archival of camera sensor data.

When Should You Use RAW vs DNG?

Use RAW When...

Reach for RAW when your priority is professional photography, post-processing, editing — its uncompromising quality ensures every detail is preserved.

Use DNG When...

Reach for DNG when your priority is raw archival, cross-platform photography workflow — its uncompromising quality ensures every detail is preserved.

RAW vs DNG: Key Differences

  • •RAW uses lossless compression while DNG uses lossless compression — both take the same approach to file size management.
  • •Since both RAW and DNG use lossless compression, the quality characteristics are comparable — differences in file size come down to how efficiently each format implements compression.
  • •Transparency: N/A
  • •File sizes: RAW files typically range 20-50MB per photo depending on camera and DNG files 15-40MB per photo.
  • •Use case fit: RAW targets professional photography, post-processing, editing and DNG targets raw archival, cross-platform photography workflow — your choice depends on which workflow stage you are serving.

Advantages of RAW

  • ✓The lossless nature of RAW means file sizes stay reasonable while handling Professional photography, post-processing, editing efficiently.
  • ✓From mobile devices to enterprise servers, RAW is recognized and supported everywhere.
  • ✓The trade-off for RAW's perfection is larger files — but for archival work, it is worth every megabyte.
  • ✓RAW is a first-class citizen in all major software ecosystems, from creative suites to development environments.

Advantages of DNG

  • ✓DNG compresses data using lossless methods, keeping file sizes manageable for Raw archival, cross-platform photography workflow.
  • ✓Industry-wide support means DNG files open anywhere — from legacy systems to the latest devices.
  • ✓Lossless quality makes DNG the gold standard for archival and master copies.
  • ✓From Adobe Photoshop to open-source alternatives, DNG works out of the box.

Common Use Cases for RAW to DNG Conversion

  • Blog and article illustrations
  • Mobile app UI assets
  • Product photography for marketplaces
  • Digital art portfolios
  • Brochure and flyer design
  • Newsletter graphics

Industry Applications

AdvertisingBrand ManagementContent ManagementMedical ImagingReal Estate PhotographyGame Development

Best Practices for RAW to DNG Conversion

  • →Before converting RAW to DNG, decide whether you need maximum quality or smallest file size — this determines which format truly fits
  • →Save a master copy in a lossless format before converting to DNG — you cannot recover detail lost during lossy compression
  • →Check the color profile: RAW images may use a wider gamut than DNG supports, causing a visible shift after conversion
  • →Resize images to the final display dimensions before converting — this avoids unnecessary processing of oversized files
  • →Run a single test conversion first to verify quality meets your standards
  • →Strip unnecessary metadata to reduce file size after conversion

Related Article

JPG vs PNG vs WebP: Which Image Format Should You Use?

Learn more about RAW and DNG formats in our detailed guide.

Troubleshooting RAW to DNG Conversion

  • !Converting RAW to DNG gives blurry output → increase the quality setting before conversion
  • !Colors look different in DNG than RAW → check color profile mismatch (sRGB vs Adobe RGB)
  • !File size changed more than expected → DNG uses different compression, file size differences of 2-5x are normal
  • !Transparent areas in RAW turned white in DNG → DNG may not support transparency

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About RAW and DNG

RAW

RAW (Camera RAW images) - Camera RAW - uncompressed sensor data from digital cameras. Best for professional photography, post-processing, editing.

DNG

DNG (Adobe DNG raw) - Adobe Digital Negative, universal raw format for archival. Ideal for raw archival, cross-platform photography workflow.

Format Comparison

CompressionLossless → Lossless
TransparencySupported
Use CaseConvert from professional photography, post-processing, editing to raw archival, cross-platform photography workflow
File Size~15-40MB per photo after conversion

FAQs

Is converting RAW to DNG free?

Yes, GoConvertFile offers free conversion of RAW camera files to DNG for files up to 100MB.

Why convert RAW to DNG?

DNG is an open, standardized raw format (Adobe). It preserves all camera raw data while offering better archival compatibility than proprietary RAW formats like CR2, NEF, or ARW.

How long does it take to convert RAW to DNG?

Most RAW to DNG conversions complete within seconds for standard-sized files. Larger files may take longer depending on the conversion complexity.

What is DNG best used for?

DNG is ideal for raw archival, cross-platform photography workflow. Adobe Digital Negative, universal raw format for archival

What file size should I expect after converting RAW to DNG?

File size after RAW to DNG conversion depends on the content complexity and quality settings. Both formats use similar compression approaches so sizes are comparable.

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