The Difference Between RAW and JPEG: What You Need to Know

One of the most common questions beginner photographers ask is whether they should shoot in RAW or JPEG. At first glance, the difference may not seem important — both formats capture the same scene. But understanding the differences between RAW and JPEG can have a huge impact on the quality of your images and how you work with them after shooting.

In this guide, you’ll learn what RAW and JPEG files are, how they affect your workflow and image quality, and when to use each one based on your goals and skill level.

What Is a JPEG File?

JPEG (or JPG) stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group. It’s the most common image format used by cameras, smartphones, and the internet. When you take a photo in JPEG, your camera automatically processes and compresses the image for you.

Here’s what happens with JPEG:

• The camera applies settings like white balance, contrast, sharpness, and noise reduction
• Then it compresses the file to reduce size
• Some image data is permanently discarded to make the file smaller

JPEG files are smaller, easier to share, and ready to use right out of the camera. That’s why they’re great for everyday photography, quick edits, or when you don’t want to spend time editing.

What Is a RAW File?

RAW files are unprocessed, uncompressed image files that contain all the data captured by your camera’s sensor. Think of a RAW file as a digital negative — it hasn’t been edited, sharpened, or compressed yet.

When you shoot in RAW:

• The camera captures everything exactly as the sensor saw it
• You decide how the image looks in post-processing (exposure, contrast, white balance, etc.)
• The file is much larger and requires editing software to open

RAW files give you complete control and flexibility, especially when editing exposure, colors, highlights, and shadows. However, they require more time and storage space.

Key Differences Between RAW and JPEG

When to Shoot in JPEG

JPEG is a great choice in many situations, especially if you’re not planning to edit your images much or you need quick results.

Use JPEG when:

• You want smaller file sizes to save space
• You need to shoot many photos quickly (sports, events)
• You’re sharing directly to social media from your camera or phone
• You’re not planning to make large prints
• You don’t have time or tools for post-processing

Many photographers use JPEG for personal snapshots, behind-the-scenes moments, and situations where speed matters more than flexibility.

When to Shoot in RAW

RAW is the go-to format for professional and serious photographers who want full control over their images. It gives you more room to correct mistakes, enhance creativity, and produce high-quality results.

Use RAW when:

• You’re shooting in tricky lighting (sunset, shadows, indoors)
• You want to correct exposure, white balance, or colors later
• You plan to edit your images in Lightroom, Photoshop, or Capture One
• You’re printing or selling your work
• You’re building a professional portfolio

RAW gives you the freedom to adjust your images in a non-destructive way, preserving the original data so you can re-edit later without losing quality.

What About Shooting RAW + JPEG?

Many cameras offer the option to shoot RAW + JPEG. This means the camera saves two files: a full-quality RAW and a processed JPEG.

Benefits of shooting RAW + JPEG:

• You get instant previews with JPEGs
• You can quickly share the JPEG and keep the RAW for later edits
• Ideal for travel or events where speed and quality both matter

Just remember this will take up more memory space and slow down your camera’s buffer when shooting bursts.

How to Edit RAW and JPEG Files

Editing JPEGs is quick and simple but limited. Once a JPEG is processed, there’s only so much you can fix. Over-editing can lead to color banding, noise, and loss of detail.

RAW files, on the other hand, give you full creative control. You can:

• Recover overexposed highlights or underexposed shadows
• Change white balance after shooting
• Fine-tune color grading
• Apply custom sharpening and noise reduction

Popular RAW editing tools include:

• Adobe Lightroom (desktop and mobile)
• Capture One
• Darktable (free)
• RawTherapee (free)

Storage and Backup Considerations

Because RAW files are larger, you’ll need more storage space and a solid backup strategy. Use high-capacity SD cards and keep backups on external drives or cloud storage.

If you shoot frequently in RAW, consider organizing your files by folders, shoot dates, or keywords to manage your archive efficiently.

Final Thoughts

Choosing between RAW and JPEG depends on your goals, workflow, and experience level. JPEG is perfect for quick, in-camera results and efficient sharing. RAW is ideal when you want total control and professional-level editing.

As you grow as a photographer, you may find yourself moving toward RAW — or using both formats depending on the situation. The most important thing is knowing the strengths and limitations of each, so you can make informed decisions and get the best results from every photo you take.