RAW VS DNG. What’s The Difference? | Q&A Ep. 56

I’ve talked about the difference between RAW and JPEG files, which are file types, but haven’t talked about the different RAW filetypes, specifically the difference between the RAW files produced by your camera, and the DNG file that Adobe created.

This is exactly what Arnab Sarkar was wondering about when he asked this question:

Thanks for the excellent tutorial again.. What's the different between in camera RAW and DNG file? I mean is there any information loss if I copy RAW (CR2,NEF etc) files to DNG files and then edit my things.. Is DNG better or worse or same! 😮 I am confused about these photo formats.. Please help.. Thanks again Spyros 😊

In short, they’re all RAW files, but the files produced by your camera are proprietary RAW filetypes, while the DNG is a RAW filetype with an open license from Adobe that allows anyone to use it.

In the video I talk about the differences this creates, how DNG files actually work, and the advantages and disadvantages of DNG files.

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[eccs]

Actually Pentax does have a proprietary file format (PEF), but the option to use DNG is also available.

[SamsungGX]

Pentax does have PEF, but almost everyone who shoots RAW with Pentax uses DNG.

[arnabsarkar]

Thanks a lot.. It was a nice and useful explanation... 😊

[mazewave]

All the Huawei and Honor smartphone can take photo in .dng file (you just need to be in pro photo mode and swipe left, check RAW format)

[babysteps]

Good article, still trying to get my head around the whole process. What I do know is that if I process and CR2 and use photoshop to do edits like shadows/highlights, it works very well. For some reason when I do the same process with a DNG this particular process does not work in the same way. I am trying to increase 3/4 and Shadow detail - with CR2 i get this but with a DNG it reverses the desired result ie when I try to get more SH detail using the exact same process the DNG file goes darker. Despite a huge amount of research I can't find out why this happens. Hence I prefer CR2

[Vincentjune]

The DNG is a 1/3 less in size. That wouldn't matter, much, if you are only shooting for your own amusement. But if you are getting paid then back up memory, even if it's a whole hell of a lot cheaper, is a must with a Cloud plus 3 separate disks to have a belt and brase's by two. You sure don't want to lose someone's once-off event. That BTW is the only reason I'd buy a camera with WiFi so I could back up as I was shooting. But so far that option isn't truly realistic.

[puteraaditya]

and how about the quality between RAW file and DNG file?

[kenleppek]

Ok here's my issue Lightroom doesn't allow my camera the Nikon D610 raw files to import it forces me to convert to a DNG. So I'm stuck keeping the raw and the DNG files fills up a hard drive fast.

[TonyDixonPhotography]

To answer your question of the day, I was going to shoot a portrait session but they backed out. So I guess I'll work on some personal stuff. Have a good weekend!

[stevenpickett]

I'm using a nikon d3400 and shooting RAW ( nef ) but adobe light room will not open these files.... I've converted them to dng and now I can edit in light room. just to clarify, is there no loss of information from nef to dng? also do I need to keep the nef files once converted? does my head in having 2 copies of everything haha. thanks in advance if you can answer me :)

[frankaquino]

It seems to be my only option as far as I know. I have cs6 and it won't recognize my xt20 raf file it does with my xt10 though . So I had to get the dng converter it's a pain but does work. Anyone know of an easier way with fuji raf files?

[tonytfuntek]

Is there any loss of information " resolution, color space, dynamic range etc " in the DNG compared to the RAW ? Thank you

[iamax]

My Lumia has DNG.. Haha that's what got me here

[KrisKomar]

I think you lost my respect at "alogrithm"