How to Convert RAW Image to JPG: A Practical Guide

Why Convert RAW Image to JPG

Shooting in RAW format provides a significant creative advantage. A RAW file is like a digital negative, containing unprocessed data directly from the camera's sensor. This preserves all image information, which is ideal for editing.

This raw data provides a wide dynamic range. This term refers to the level of detail in the brightest and darkest parts of an image. It allows you to recover details from shadows or adjust overexposed skies. You cannot achieve this level of flexibility with a standard JPG.

The Practical Trade-Offs of RAW Files

Despite their flexibility, RAW files have practical downsides related to file size and compatibility. Converting them is an essential part of a photography workflow.

RAW files are large. A single file can be 20-40 MB or more because it contains uncompressed sensor data. This consumes storage space on memory cards and hard drives and slows down file transfers.

Additionally, RAW files have limited compatibility. You cannot email a .CR2 or .NEF file to a client and expect them to open it easily. They also cannot be uploaded directly to most websites. Viewing them requires specific software like Adobe Lightroom or Capture One.

Why JPG Is the Universal Standard

Converting to JPG solves these issues. JPG is a lossy compression format. It reduces file size by selectively discarding data that the human eye is less likely to perceive. This makes JPGs suitable for most post-editing uses.

• Web Sharing — Smaller file sizes lead to faster website loading times
• Client Delivery — Anyone can open a JPG on any device without special software
• Emailing — JPGs are small enough to be attached to emails
• Archiving — It is more cost-effective to store thousands of high-quality JPGs than original RAW files

On average, RAW files are 5 to 10 times larger than their high-quality JPG versions. For event photographers, this size difference is a significant workflow consideration. Approximately 85% of professional photographers use batch conversion to manage this, making the raw image to jpg step fundamental.

Getting High-Quality JPGs from Adobe Lightroom

For precise control over your RAW to JPG conversion, most professionals use Adobe Lightroom. Exporting from Lightroom involves making final decisions about image quality, file size, and color space.

File Settings: The Quality Slider

The "Quality" slider requires a balanced approach. A setting of 100 produces the largest file, but the visual difference compared to a slightly lower setting is often imperceptible. The goal is to balance file size with perceived visual quality.

• Quality 92 — This is a good setting for high-resolution prints. It preserves nearly all detail and color, suitable for physical albums or large prints.
• Quality 85 — For web use, this is a good trade-off. It creates a file that is often 30-40% smaller than one at quality 92, with a negligible visual difference on screen.

Remember, converting to JPG is a lossy process. It permanently discards some image data to reduce file size. The goal is to manage this data loss effectively. You can learn more about the differences between lossless and lossy compression.

Color Space: sRGB vs Adobe RGB

Choosing the correct color space is critical. An incorrect choice can make your photos appear dull online.

• sRGB — Use this for any image that will be viewed on a screen, including websites and social media. It is the universal standard for web browsers and devices.
• Adobe RGB — Select this only when a professional print lab specifically requests it. Adobe RGB has a wider range of colors (gamut), but most screens cannot display it correctly, resulting in muted colors.

Image Sizing and Sharpening

The final step is to set the image size and sharpening for its intended destination.

Image Sizing: For web use, it is best practice to resize on export. Setting the "Long Edge" to 1920 pixels is a common choice for full-screen web galleries. This prevents the browser from having to resize a large image, which improves page load speed. For printing, you typically leave this unchecked to export the full-resolution file.

Output Sharpening: Lightroom can apply a final sharpening adjustment based on the output medium. For web export, check "Sharpen For: Screen" and set the "Amount: Standard." For prints, you would choose "Sharpen For: Matte Paper" or "Glossy Paper."

Automating Conversion with the Command Line

For developers or users comfortable with a terminal, automating raw image to jpg conversion is highly efficient. When processing hundreds or thousands of files, the command line offers speed and can be integrated into any scripted workflow.

A powerful open-source tool for this is ImageMagick. It can handle numerous image processing tasks from the terminal.

Single File Conversion with ImageMagick

Suppose you have a new RAW product photo, IMG_001.CR2, and need a web-ready JPG. Once ImageMagick is installed, the command is simple.

A single line can perform the conversion:

magick IMG_001.CR2 product-photo.jpg

This command reads the RAW file and outputs a JPG. For more control, you can add flags:

magick IMG_001.CR2 -quality 85 -resize 1920x -strip product-photo.jpg

Here is a breakdown of the flags:

• -quality 85 — Sets the JPEG compression level. 85 is a good balance between visual quality and file size for web images.
• -resize 1920x — Resizes the image to a width of 1920 pixels while maintaining the aspect ratio.
• -strip — Removes extra metadata (like EXIF data), which can slightly reduce the final file size.

Batch Processing an Entire Folder

The primary strength of the command line is its ability to handle batch operations automatically. Imagine you have a folder named raw-photos and you want to create a thumbnails folder with a smaller JPG version of each image.

A simple shell script can achieve this. This is a common task for a server processing user-uploaded images.

#!/bin/bash

# Ensure the output directory exists
mkdir -p thumbnails

# Loop through all .CR2 files in the source folder
for file in raw-photos/*.CR2; do
  # Get the filename without the extension
  filename=$(basename -- "$file" .CR2)

  # Convert the file and save it to the thumbnails folder
  magick "$file" -quality 85 -resize 800x -strip "thumbnails/${filename}.jpg"
done

echo "Batch conversion complete."

This script automates the entire thumbnail generation process. It can be run on a folder of images or scheduled to run periodically for a hands-off workflow.

Learning how to compress images in bulk is a useful skill for managing large image workflows. While the command line offers maximum control, dedicated bulk processing tools are also available for teams that prefer a simpler process.

Format-Specific Guidance

Every camera manufacturer uses their own proprietary RAW format. Understanding these formats helps you choose the right conversion approach for your specific camera.

Canon CR2 and CR3 Files

Canon uses the CR2 format for older cameras (like the 5D Mark IV and 80D) and CR3 for newer models (like the EOS R5 and R6). CR3 files are typically smaller due to better compression but require more recent software to process.

When converting CR2 to JPG or CR3 to JPG, most tools handle both formats without issues. The conversion process is the same—only the file extension differs.

Nikon NEF Files

Nikon's NEF format is used across their entire lineup, from the professional Z8 and Z9 to the enthusiast-focused Z6 and Z7 series. NEF files can be quite large, especially when shot in uncompressed mode.

Converting NEF to JPG typically results in significant file size reduction—often 80% or more. This makes NEF conversion essential for sharing Nikon photos online.

Sony ARW Files

Sony's ARW format is used in all Alpha mirrorless cameras, from the A7 IV to the high-resolution A7R V. Sony RAW files are known for their excellent dynamic range, making them ideal candidates for conversion to high-quality JPGs.

When you convert ARW to JPG, you preserve the excellent color science Sony is known for while creating files that are easy to share and store.

Other RAW Formats

• Fujifilm RAF — Used in X-T5, X-H2, and GFX medium format cameras. Includes X-Trans sensor data. Convert RAF to JPG.
• Panasonic RW2 — Used in Lumix S5 II, GH6, and other Micro Four Thirds and full-frame bodies. Convert RW2 to JPG.
• Olympus/OM System ORF — Used in OM-1, OM-5, and the E-M1 series. Convert ORF to JPG.
• Adobe DNG — An open standard format used by some cameras and as an archival format. Convert DNG to JPG.

Frequently Asked Questions about RAW to JPG

Here are direct answers to common questions about converting RAW files to JPGs.