RAW vs JPG: What’s the Difference and When Should You Use Each?
If you’ve just started getting into photography, you’ve probably heard people talk about shooting in RAW vs JPG. But what does that really mean, and which one should you be using? Let’s break it down.
What is a RAW File?
Think of a RAW file like having the entire recipe for a cake — all the ingredients, uncooked and ready for you to prepare however you want. A RAW photo stores all the data your camera’s sensor captured: color, brightness, shadows, highlights, and more.
Because it holds so much information, RAW files are much larger than JPGs, but that also means they give you maximum flexibility when editing. You can adjust exposure, fix white balance, pull details out of shadows, and even rescue a shot you thought was too dark or overexposed.
Best for:
Professional photography
Portraits, weddings, landscapes
When you plan to edit your photos afterward
What is a JPG File?
A JPG file is like the finished slice of cake. Your camera has already “baked” it — applying sharpening, contrast, and color adjustments before compressing it into a smaller, easy-to-share format.
JPGs don’t take up much space, and you can open them on practically any device. But here’s the trade-off: once it’s compressed, you lose a lot of the flexibility you’d have with a RAW file. Editing is still possible, but major adjustments will reduce quality.
Best for:
Quick snapshots
Events where you need fast turnaround
Social media posts with little to no editing
RAW vs JPG: Which Should You Use?
It really depends on your goal:
Choose RAW if you want the highest quality and plan to spend time editing. Perfect for professional work or photos you want to keep long-term.
Choose JPG if you need speed, convenience, and smaller file sizes. Ideal for casual shooting, travel, or when you don’t want to edit every photo.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, there’s no “wrong” choice. RAW gives you control, JPG gives you convenience. Many cameras even let you shoot RAW + JPG, so you can get the best of both worlds — a high-quality file for editing and a ready-to-share version at the same time.
So the next time you pick up your camera, ask yourself: Do I want control or convenience? That answer will tell you whether to shoot RAW or JPG.
