RAW vs. JPEG: which format should you shoot?
RAW files keep far more detail for editing; JPEGs are smaller and ready to share. Here is when each makes sense and why most professionals shoot RAW.
When you take a photo, the sensor records raw data. A JPEG is that data processed by the camera, compressed and finished. A RAW file keeps the original data so you can make those decisions later.
Why RAW is better for serious work
- More dynamic range: you can recover bright skies and lift shadows much further.
- White balance can be changed freely after the fact.
- More bit depth means smoother gradients in skies and skin.
- Editing does not degrade the original file.
When JPEG makes sense
JPEG is fine when you need speed and little editing: sending photos to a client the same day, sports bursts that fill the buffer, or casual family snapshots. Sony’s JPEG colors are good straight out of the camera.
RAW + JPEG
Shooting both gives you quick previews to share and RAW files for final edits, at the cost of extra storage.
Storage and speed
RAW files from a 61 MP camera are large, around 60 to 120 MB. Use fast, high-capacity cards and consider compressed RAW, which saves space with almost no visible difference.
Our recommendation
Shoot RAW for anything you will edit or deliver professionally. Shoot JPEG only when speed or space matters more than flexibility.
Next: Exposure compensation: the dial that fixes bright and dark scenes
