There are many reasons to capture images as RAW files
rather than JPEG files. However, it’s important to note that RAW image
files require additional work to achieve the color balance you’re
looking for, whereas JPEG files are color-balanced by
the camera for you. JPEG files are also smaller than RAW image files, requiring less storage space.
the camera for you. JPEG files are also smaller than RAW image files, requiring less storage space.
The advantages to shooting RAW files are:
1. Increased bit depth allows for more color-correction 'head room'. The JPEG format is limited to 8 bits per color channel. RAW images store 16 bits per
channel, with 12 to 14 bits per channel of color information. Although
it may sound confusing, this means you can do significantly more color
correction without degrading the image or introducing color noise.
2. After the RAW file is decoded, you work with the most accurate and basic data about an image.
3. You control the white balance, color interpolation, and gamma correction aspects of the image during post-production rather than when shooting.
4. The image file isn’t compressed, as JPEG files are, which means that no image data is lost.
5. Most cameras are capable of and do shoot color outside the gamut range of JPEG (both Adobe RGB 1998 and sRGB), which means color clipping occurs when you shoot JPEG files. RAW files preserve the camera’s original image gamut, allowing Sofwares to make image adjustments that take advantage of the full range of captured colors.
6. RAW files give you control of noise reduction and sharpening after capture. JPEG noise reduction and sharpening are permanently applied to the image according to the settings on the camera.
All in all, when you have an SLR with
wonderful capabilities of capturing image in RAW format, why not utilize
it in better way.. And yes, Post-production of RAW files give far
better results you could get from JEPG.
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