What is a RAW image file and how much memory does it require?

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RAW files are image files that contain uncompressed and unprocessed image data, allowing you to capture practically every detail seen from the camera image sensor.

Some characteristics of RAW files:

• RAW files require more memory storage than JPEG, PNG, BMP, and TIFF files, and a program must be used to open and edit the files.
  • We recommend Imaging Edge Desktop software to display and edit RAW files once transferred to a computer.
  • Other software programs are available when you can't open, view, or edit RAW images on a computer.
  • Files can be edited, compressed, and converted into other formats.
• RAW images taken with Sony cameras are saved with the ARW extension.
• They provide the most detailed image a camera can offer.
• Contains millions of colors, increased RGB color values, and allows adjustments to the RAW file without changing the image itself.

Digital cameras generally perform digital processing to the output signals from the image sensor and create JPEG images. Meanwhile, RAW is an image format whose processing parameters can be adjusted freely by photographers, so there is no digital processing done on the image.  It is transferred directly from the image sensor to the storage medium of the camera.