RAW vs. JPEG: Which Setting Actually Saves Your Photos?

RAW vs. JPEG: Which One Should You Actually Use in 2026?

It’s the question that every photographer asks the moment they get their first "real" camera: Should I shoot in RAW or JPEG? Some pros will tell you that if you aren't shooting RAW, you aren't a "real" photographer. 

Others will say that modern JPEGs are so good that RAW is a waste of time. The truth? It depends on your style, your storage, and how much you enjoy sitting in front of a computer.

1. What is a RAW File? (The Digital Negative)

• Think of a RAW file like the raw ingredients of a meal. It contains all the uncompressed data captured by your camera's sensor. It’s not a finished image; it’s a massive file of information waiting to be "cooked" in a program like Lightroom or Capture One.

• Maximum Detail: Preserves every bit of light and color.
  
  
• Huge Files: Can be 5–10x larger than a JPEG.
  
  
• Editing Power: Allows you to "save" photos that are too dark or too bright.

2. What is a JPEG? (The Instant Meal)

• A JPEG is a finished dish. Your camera takes the raw data, applies contrast, sharpening, and white balance, and then compresses it into a small, shareable file. It throws away the data it thinks you don't need to save space.
  
  
• Ready to Go: You can send it straight to Instagram or your phone.
  
  
• Small Size: You can fit thousands on a single SD card.
  
  
• Baked-in Settings: If you get the white balance wrong, it’s much harder to fix later.

3. The Showdown: When to Use Which?

Most photographers actually use both, depending on the situation. Here is a quick guide to help you decide:

Shoot RAW if...

1. You are shooting a professional gig (wedding, commercial).
2. You are shooting in tricky lighting (sunsets, high contrast).
3. You want to do heavy color grading or creative editing.
4. You plan on printing your photos in a large format.

Shoot JPEG if...

1. You are just shooting for social media or daily memories.
2. You are running low on storage space.
3. You need to shoot long bursts of action (sports/birds) and don't want the camera to slow down.
4. You "nailed the shot" in-camera and don't want to spend hours editing.

4. Pro Tip for 2026: The "Best of Both Worlds" Hack

If you can't decide, there is a simple solution: Shoot RAW + JPEG.

Most modern cameras allow you to save two files for every click. You get the beautiful, processed JPEG to share with your friends immediately, and the heavy RAW file as a "safety net" in case you want to go back and edit the photo professionally later. Just make sure you have a fast SD card!

5. What About Video?

In the world of videography, the debate is similar but uses different names. Instead of RAW vs. JPEG, we often talk about Log (ProRes/RAW) vs. Standard Profiles. 

Shooting in Log is like shooting a RAW photo—the footage looks flat and grey at first, but it gives you the "dynamic range" to make your colors look cinematic in post-production.

 6. My Workflow

Here I want to share how I shoot my stuff:

• Photo: whenever I use my professional Sony Camera (Sony A7C II) I usually shoot RAW because I want to edit my photos afterwards and have the most flexibility in post production. When I want to have a quick snapshot for sharing I usually just use my iPhone and take a JPEG. Keep in mind that you need an editor program that is capable of handling RAW files. I use Lightroom.
  
  
• Video: whenever I use my professional Sony Camera (Sony A7C II) I usually shoot S-Log 3 because I want to have the most flexibility in post production and a cinematic look. Also when I just want to capture a quick video I use my iPhone. You also need a video editing program. I use Davinci Resolve, there is also a free version of it!

 7. Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, a great photo is about the composition and the moment, not the file extension. If shooting RAW makes you dread taking pictures because you hate editing, just shoot JPEG! The best camera settings are the ones that keep you out there shooting.

Also everything gets heavier when you shoot RAW/S-LOG, your file sizes get bigger, you need specific editing programs etc. etc. 

Enjoy capturing the moments!

Here you will find all my Photography and Videography tips.