DNG vs JPEG
JPEG makes a compact photographic delivery file, but ordinary JPEG discards detail and has no alpha. Keep the richer source for editing and use JPEG when the receiving workflow expects an opaque photo.
Image format
DNG
A published TIFF-based format for raw image data, calibration and photographic metadata.
Explore the format
Convert DNG to
Choose a target format for your DNG images.
JPEGJPEGDNG → JPEGPNGPNGDNG → PNGWebPWebPDNG → WebPAVIFAVIFDNG → AVIFHEICHEICDNG → HEICHEIFHEIFDNG → HEIF
All 22 conversions
GIFGIFDNG → GIFWith caveatTIFFTIFFDNG → TIFFBMPBMPDNG → BMPICOICODNG → ICOJPEG XLJPEG XLDNG → JPEG XLJPEG 2000JPEG 2000DNG → JPEG 2000QOIQOIDNG → QOITGATGADNG → TGAPCXPCXDNG → PCXPPMPPMDNG → PPMPGMPGMDNG → PGMWith caveatPBMPBMDNG → PBMWith caveatPAMPAMDNG → PAMHDRHDRDNG → HDREXREXRDNG → EXRPDFPDFDNG → PDF
Marked paths may need steps such as flattening, rasterization, tone mapping or animation loss.
Convert to DNG
Choose a source format to convert to DNG.
About DNG
Adobe Digital Negative
Adobe designed Digital Negative as a published format for camera raw interchange and preservation. It extends TIFF 6.0 with tags describing raw samples, camera calibration and interpretation. DNG can store mosaiced sensor data or already demosaiced linear image data; the extension alone does not say which representation is inside.
Compression, sample type and processing stage are defined by the file and DNG version. Converting a proprietary raw file to DNG is different from exporting a rendered photo, but it does not guarantee preservation of every maker-specific feature. Keep the source when future reprocessing or vendor software matters.
Use the raw original for repeated photographic development when exposure interpretation and colour decisions need to remain flexible. Export JPEG for an opaque delivery image or a suitable high-precision raster for further editing. Those exports bake in processing choices and cannot recreate the original sensor data, calibration or all vendor metadata.
Raw development interprets capture values using colour calibration, white balance and a tone curve; mosaiced data also needs demosaicing. A built-in preview is already rendered and can look different from a fresh raw development. More bit depth does not recover clipped exposure or establish a ready-to-display HDR image.
Key capabilities
Compression, sample type and processing stage are defined by the file and DNG version. Converting a proprietary raw file to DNG is different from exporting a rendered photo, but it does not guarantee preservation of every maker-specific feature. Keep the source when future reprocessing or vendor software matters.
History of DNG
Raw formats evolve alongside camera sensors, recording modes and development software. These milestones connect this format family to the camera and processing workflows that use it.
DNG compared
Different formats, different trade-offs. Choose for the image and the workflow.
DNG vs TIFF
TIFF provides tagged raster storage with multiple images and several sample types and compression schemes. It is a useful interchange choice for scanning and high-precision editing, but the receiving tool must support the particular TIFF variant.
DNG vs Canon CR2
CR2 retains Canon’s native raw structure and vendor metadata; DNG uses a published cross-vendor model. Keep the native original if Canon-specific processing matters, even when a DNG copy suits another processor.
DNG vs Nikon NEF
NEF is Nikon’s native capture format with camera-specific modes. DNG offers a documented interchange structure, but conversion and processor support should be checked before replacing the original Nikon file.
DNG FAQ
What does this format store?
Adobe designed Digital Negative as a published format for camera raw interchange and preservation. It extends TIFF 6.0 with tags describing raw samples, camera calibration and interpretation. DNG can store mosaiced sensor data or already demosaiced linear image data; the extension alone does not say which representation is inside.
How does compression affect quality?
Compression, sample type and processing stage are defined by the file and DNG version. Converting a proprietary raw file to DNG is different from exporting a rendered photo, but it does not guarantee preservation of every maker-specific feature. Keep the source when future reprocessing or vendor software matters.
Is every DNG an untouched sensor mosaic?
No. DNG can represent mosaiced raw data or a linear image after demosaicing. Check its tags, sample representation and conversion settings before making archival claims.
What should I check before opening the file?
Check the exact camera model and recording mode in the processor’s support list. Raw support is model-specific, even when the extension is recognised. Viewing an embedded JPEG preview does not prove the sensor data has been decoded.
What changes when I export to another format?
Raw-to-image export develops the data: white balance, colour mapping and tone become part of the pixels. Grayscale, palette and SDR targets can discard additional information. Keep the original; converting a rendered image back into a raw container cannot reconstruct the capture.
When is this format useful?
Use the raw original for repeated photographic development when exposure interpretation and colour decisions need to remain flexible. Export JPEG for an opaque delivery image or a suitable high-precision raster for further editing. Those exports bake in processing choices and cannot recreate the original sensor data, calibration or all vendor metadata.
Sources
- Adobe — DNG specification, SDK and TIFF documents
- LibRaw — supported camera models
- freedesktop.org — shared MIME database (unregistered aliases)
- Canon — RAW image fundamentals and development
- JPEG committee — JPEG 1
- Adobe — TIFF 6.0 specification (1992)
- Canon — PowerShot S90 user guide (CR2)
- Nikon — Nikon Electronic Format