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RAW format support

Dive into the world of RAW photo formats with our detailed article. Understand the unique benefits, compare camera-specific RAW extensions, and grasp why these formats are essential for capturing the highest quality images in photography.

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RAW photo files come in a variety of formats, each associated with specific camera manufacturers. Unlike standardized formats like JPEG or TIFF, RAW files are proprietary formats that contain unprocessed data directly from the camera's sensor. Each manufacturer often uses its own unique file extension. Here's a list of some common RAW file extensions from various camera manufacturers:

  1. .cr2, .cr3 - Used by Canon cameras.
  2. .nef, .nrw - Nikon cameras.
  3. .arw, .srf, .sr2 - Sony cameras.
  4. .orf - Olympus cameras.
  5. .raw, .rw2 - Panasonic cameras.
  6. .raf - Fujifilm cameras.
  7. .dng - Digital Negative, a universal RAW file format developed by Adobe that is intended to be compatible across multiple devices and software.
  8. .mos - Leaf cameras.
  9. .kdc, .dcr - Kodak cameras.
  10. .x3f - Sigma cameras.
  11. .pef - Pentax cameras.
  12. .3fr - Hasselblad cameras.
  13. .mef - Mamiya cameras.
  14. .erf - Epson cameras.
  15. .fff - Imacon/Hasselblad cameras.
  16. .braw - Blackmagic Design cameras.
  17. .cine - Phantom cameras used mainly for high-speed video capture.
  18. .iiq - Phase One cameras.
  19. .rwl - Leica cameras.

These RAW file formats are typically used because they allow the photographer to make adjustments to images such as exposure and white balance without loss of data, which is not possible with formats like JPEG. Each RAW file format can store a vast amount of information from the camera's sensor, giving photographers more control over the final image during the editing process. However, because these formats are proprietary, specific software that supports these extensions is often required to view and edit RAW files.

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Currently, RAW formats are not supported by the Picsart Creative APIs.

This decision is primarily due to the inherent characteristics of RAW files, which include significantly larger file sizes compared to standard image formats like JPEG or PNG. The large size of RAW files results in inefficiencies in file transfer, which can lead to longer processing times and increased costs. Additionally, handling RAW files requires more intensive computational resources, further impacting the performance and cost-effectiveness of the APIs. By focusing on more universally compatible and efficient formats, Picsart ensures that users experience quicker, more reliable, and cost-effective processing across its Creative APIs offerings.

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Updated about 2 months ago