Whereas the JPEG image produced by a camera is an image processed by the camera’s software wherein variables such as sharpness, contrast, saturation and white balance are applied to the digital image based on the camera’s settings, RAW represents the direct unprocessed image as seen by the camera’s sensor. This lossless format is generally preferred by professional photographers for their image negative which allows for the greatest post-processing flexibility.

Purist will use RAW when available although a large/superfine equivalent in digital camera is likewise acceptable. Its downside is its being proprietary to the camera manufacturer thus is not recommended for archival storage.