Last Updated: 21 Apr, 2025
As a photographer, you’re often faced with the choice of whether to keep your RAW files in their original format (such as CR2, ARW) or convert them to a more universal format like DNG (Digital Negative). The decision can be overwhelming, especially when you’re starting out and not entirely sure of the trade-offs. In this article, we’ll explore the key factors to consider when deciding whether to stick with your camera’s native RAW files or convert them to DNG.
The Case for Keeping RAW Files
Many photographers, especially those who prioritize the original, unaltered data from their camera, prefer to keep their RAW files in their native format. RAW files, such as CR2 (Canon) and ARW (Sony), offer the highest quality and maximum flexibility for post-processing. These formats contain all the unprocessed image data, allowing for precise adjustments to exposure, white balance, and other key elements of the image.
Several photographers recommend keeping your RAW files intact, including those who’ve worked with old camera models. For example, CR2 files from Canon DSLRs taken 15 years ago are still just as usable today, as many programs have backward compatibility for old camera formats.
Moreover, when you convert RAW to DNG, you’re often discarding metadata, proprietary camera settings, and even the camera brand’s specific color profile, which could lead to subtle but noticeable differences in image quality. Some users even report that converting to DNG can impact the colors, which were more vibrant in the original RAW files.
What About DNG?
On the other hand, DNG has its benefits. It’s an open, non-proprietary format, which some argue makes it safer for long-term storage. Since DNG is more widely supported across a variety of editing software, it can offer increased compatibility compared to proprietary RAW formats like CR2 and ARW. DNG is recommended by some archival organizations, like the US Library of Congress, as a stable format for preserving images over the long term.
If you’re using software like Adobe Lightroom or Camera Raw, DNG can be particularly useful for reducing file sizes and ensuring greater stability for future accessibility. It also allows for lossless compression and can embed the original RAW file for added peace of mind.
However, there are some caveats. For example, converting a RAW file to DNG removes the low-resolution embedded JPEG preview, which often appears brighter and more saturated. If you’ve grown accustomed to the colorful previews that your camera’s RAW files show, you might find DNG previews to be darker and less vibrant.
What Should You Do?
Ultimately, the choice comes down to your specific needs and preferences. If archival stability and universal compatibility are your top priorities, converting to DNG might be the right move. On the other hand, if you want to preserve every bit of the original file’s quality and flexibility for post-processing, keeping the RAW files in their native format is a safer bet.
For many photographers, a hybrid approach works best—keeping the original RAW files and optionally converting to DNG for archiving or for use with software that doesn’t support certain camera formats. If you’re on Linux or Mac, you may find that there’s no significant drawback to keeping your files in their native format, especially if you’re already able to open them without issue.
The Bottom Line
In the end, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Whether you choose to stick with your original RAW files or convert to DNG depends on your workflow, your software preferences, and your long-term storage goals. What matters most is that you’re backing up your files and preserving the highest quality data possible for your future editing needs.
FAQs
1. Should I keep my RAW files in their original format or convert to DNG?
It depends on your needs. If you want to preserve the maximum quality and flexibility for post-processing, it’s best to keep your RAW files in their original format (e.g., CR2, ARW). If compatibility, file size, and long-term storage stability are your priorities, converting to DNG could be a good option.
2. What is the difference between RAW and DNG formats?
RAW files (such as CR2 and ARW) are proprietary formats specific to the camera manufacturer, offering full, unprocessed data for the highest quality editing. DNG, on the other hand, is an open, non-proprietary format that offers greater compatibility across different software and is recommended for long-term storage due to its open nature.
3. Why does the preview look different when I convert to DNG?
When you convert RAW files to DNG, the low-resolution JPEG preview embedded in the original RAW file is often discarded. This can result in a darker and less saturated preview in DNG, as the software now has to render the image from the raw data without any applied camera settings or color profiles.
4. Is DNG better for long-term storage?
Many consider DNG a safer option for long-term storage due to its open format and wider support across various software. Some archival organizations, like the US Library of Congress, recommend DNG for preserving images, as it’s a more universal format compared to proprietary RAW formats.
5. Can converting to DNG impact the quality of my images?
While converting to DNG should not affect the quality of the raw data itself, it can change how the image is rendered, especially in terms of color profiles and preview settings. Additionally, DNG conversion removes some metadata and may alter the embedded JPEG preview, which can make the image look different.
6. Do I lose any camera-specific settings when converting to DNG?
Yes, converting to DNG may strip away some of the camera-specific settings, such as proprietary color profiles and embedded settings. These details can influence how the image looks in the editing process, so if you want to retain those, it may be better to keep the original RAW files.
7. Should I keep both RAW and DNG files?
If you’re unsure, a hybrid approach might work best. You can keep the original RAW files for maximum flexibility and use DNG for archiving purposes or if you need compatibility with software that doesn’t support your camera’s RAW format.
8. Will I lose flexibility if I convert my RAW files to DNG?
Converting to DNG does not limit your ability to edit the image, but you will lose the ability to reprocess the image from the original RAW data in its unaltered form. DNG files are processed with current technology, meaning you can’t “re-demosaic” them like you could with the original RAW files.