JPG is the default format for photographs — 24-bit colour, lossy compression tuned for continuous-tone imagery, universally supported. Ubiquity is its main strength: government portals, e-commerce marketplaces, print labs, and CMS uploaders that don't say what format they want will accept JPG. The trade-offs: no transparency, no lossless option, compression artefacts around sharp edges (text, logos). Use JPG when the source is a photograph and the destination doesn't require a transparent background.
RAW vs JPG: Side-by-side
Technical comparison of the two formats — useful for deciding which to use, or for confirming what changes during conversion.
Property
RAW
JPG
Full name
Camera RAW image
JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)
Year introduced
1988
1992
Developer / standard body
Various (CR2, NEF, ARW, ORF, DNG, etc.)
JPEG Committee
MIME type
image/x-raw
image/jpeg
File extension
.cr2 / .nef / .arw / .dng / .orf
.jpg / .jpeg
Compression
Lossless or minimally compressed
Lossy (DCT-based)
Color / data depth
12 to 16-bit per channel
24-bit truecolor
Max dimensions / size
Camera-sensor dependent
65,535 × 65,535 px
Transparency
No
No
Animation
No
No
Standard / specification
Manufacturer-specific (DNG is the open standard)
ISO/IEC 10918
Best for
Maximum image quality from a digital camera — preserves full sensor data for editing
Photos, web images, email attachments
RAW to JPG FAQ
Quick answers about compatibility, quality, metadata handling, and the most common reasons to convert RAW files to JPG.
How do I convert RAW to JPG online?
Upload your RAW image to iFormat and click Convert — it's decoded and re-encoded to JPG in seconds. It's free, adds no watermark, and needs no account. Batch upload is supported, and results download individually or as a ZIP.
Can I convert RAW to JPG without losing quality?
JPG is a lossy raster format. When JPG is lossless (PNG, TIFF, BMP), every pixel is preserved exactly. When it's lossy (JPG, WebP), iFormat uses a high default quality so the difference is invisible at normal viewing size. For the sharpest result, always convert from the highest-quality source you have.
How to batch convert RAW files to JPG for free
Upload multiple RAW files at once — iFormat converts them all to JPG in one batch. Each result downloads individually or as a single ZIP. No sign-up, no watermark, and no per-file limit on the free plan beyond the 50 MB per-file cap.
Does converting RAW to JPG keep transparency?
If both formats support an alpha channel (PNG, WebP, GIF, TIFF), transparency carries over. When the target lacks transparency (like JPG), transparent areas are flattened onto a solid background rather than lost silently — preview the result before you rely on it.
Can I convert RAW to JPG on my phone without installing an app?
Yes. iFormat runs entirely in your browser on iPhone, Android, iPad, or any mobile device — no app download needed. Upload your RAW photo, tap Convert, and save the JPG directly to your camera roll or files.
RAW vs JPG — which format should I use?
RAW is an unprocessed camera sensor file best for professional editing before export. JPG is a lossy raster format best for photos and web images where small size matters. Use JPG when a website, form, or app requires it, or when you need JPG's specific strengths like smaller file size, wider compatibility, or transparency support.
Is it safe to convert RAW to JPG online?
Yes. Uploads travel over an encrypted HTTPS connection, conversion runs on an isolated worker, and both your RAW source and the JPG result are automatically deleted from our servers within a short window. Nothing is stored, shared, or used for training.
Is there a file size limit for RAW to JPG conversion?
The free plan supports files up to 50 MB, which covers the large majority of RAW files. For longer or higher-resolution files, Starter raises the limit to 100 MB, Plus to 1 GB, and Pro to 5 GB.
