PNG is lossless and supports transparency — the two things JPG can't do. Screenshots, UI mockups, logos, icons, diagrams, and anything with sharp edges or text should be PNG. File sizes are larger than JPG for photographic content (usually 2-5×), so PNG is a bad choice for photographs unless you specifically need lossless. Note: PNG has no metadata for camera EXIF, so converting a photo JPG → PNG loses the camera info.
RAW vs PNG: Side-by-side
Technical comparison of the two formats — useful for deciding which to use, or for confirming what changes during conversion.
Property
RAW
PNG
Full name
Camera RAW image
Portable Network Graphics
Year introduced
1988
1996
Developer / standard body
Various (CR2, NEF, ARW, ORF, DNG, etc.)
PNG Development Group / W3C
MIME type
image/x-raw
image/png
File extension
.cr2 / .nef / .arw / .dng / .orf
.png
Compression
Lossless or minimally compressed
Lossless (DEFLATE)
Color / data depth
12 to 16-bit per channel
24-bit truecolor + 8-bit alpha
Max dimensions / size
Camera-sensor dependent
2,147,483,647 × 2,147,483,647 px
Transparency
No
Yes
Animation
No
APNG extension only
Standard / specification
Manufacturer-specific (DNG is the open standard)
W3C / ISO/IEC 15948
Best for
Maximum image quality from a digital camera — preserves full sensor data for editing
Logos, screenshots, graphics with transparency or sharp edges
RAW to PNG FAQ
Quick answers about compatibility, quality, metadata handling, and the most common reasons to convert RAW files to PNG.
How do I convert RAW to PNG online?
Upload your RAW image to iFormat and click Convert — it's decoded and re-encoded to PNG 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 PNG without losing quality?
PNG is a lossless format with transparency support. When PNG 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 PNG for free
Upload multiple RAW files at once — iFormat converts them all to PNG 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 PNG 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 PNG 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 PNG directly to your camera roll or files.
RAW vs PNG — which format should I use?
RAW is an unprocessed camera sensor file best for professional editing before export. PNG is a lossless format with transparency support best for logos, screenshots, and graphics with sharp edges. Use PNG when a website, form, or app requires it, or when you need PNG's specific strengths like smaller file size, wider compatibility, or transparency support.
Is it safe to convert RAW to PNG online?
Yes. Uploads travel over an encrypted HTTPS connection, conversion runs on an isolated worker, and both your RAW source and the PNG 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 PNG 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.