RAW Vs DNG

Bern · 01-16-2014, 10:46 AM

I was reading a lot about "raw" Vs "dng", since my K5 can shoot in dng, what would be the advantage of or disadvantage of shooting in which mode?

Tom S. · 01-16-2014, 11:25 AM

This has been discussed many times, so you might want to do some searching. What the real question is which format of RAW, dng or pef to use. One is Pentax's own format (pef), while the other is Adobe's standard (dng). Both are considered RAW.

I use DNG because I use Photoshop and it sometimes takes time for them to update to the new PEF format.

Adam · 01-16-2014, 11:47 AM

Here's a nice thread on the subject:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/115-pentax-k-5/152865-raw-pef-vs-dng-difference.html

wildman · 01-16-2014, 12:06 PM

Originally posted by Bern

RAW Vs DNG

DNG is RAW.

Perhaps you mean RAW Vs jpg?

Bern · 01-16-2014, 05:23 PM

Originally posted by wildman

DNG is RAW.

Perhaps you mean RAW Vs jpg?

No I mean Pentax raw vs dng.

HSV · 01-16-2014, 09:09 PM

I would prefer PEF because of the smaller file size.

As of the resulting quality, so far I have not seen discernible difference.

**RGlasel** · 01-16-2014, 09:24 PM

Originally posted by HSV

I would prefer PEF because of the smaller file size.

I remember getting photos scanned for a brochure and worrying about how to fit a compressed TIFF file onto a 1.44MB floppy disk. A quality 16GB SD card is $20, and the smallest portable hard drive I can find now is 1 TB (which is almost 700,000 times the capacity of a floppy disk). Both formats contain the same information, software is required for your camera to create files in either format, and software is required to view images in either format. Pick the format that works best with the software you use.

**Kerrowdown** · 01-17-2014, 04:05 PM

These days I'm shooting dng files straight out of the camera, they're compatible with all my software and there are no additional xmp/sidecar type files after PP, as its all written directly back to the dng file.

01-16-2014, 10:46 AM	#1
Bern Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NYC Photos: Gallery Posts: 56	RAW Vs DNG I was reading a lot about "raw" Vs "dng", since my K5 can shoot in dng, what would be the advantage of or disadvantage of shooting in which mode?

01-16-2014, 11:25 AM	#2
Tom S. Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Michigan Photos: Albums Posts: 4,317	This has been discussed many times, so you might want to do some searching. What the real question is which format of RAW, dng or pef to use. One is Pentax's own format (pef), while the other is Adobe's standard (dng). Both are considered RAW. I use DNG because I use Photoshop and it sometimes takes time for them to update to the new PEF format. Last edited by Tom S.; 01-16-2014 at 11:31 AM.

01-16-2014, 11:47 AM	#3
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Here's a nice thread on the subject: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/115-pentax-k-5/152865-raw-pef-vs-dng-difference.html Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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01-16-2014, 12:06 PM	#4
wildman Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Flyover America Posts: 4,469	Originally posted by Bern RAW Vs DNG DNG is RAW. Perhaps you mean RAW Vs jpg?

01-16-2014, 05:23 PM	#5
Bern Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NYC Photos: Gallery Posts: 56 Original Poster	Originally posted by wildman DNG is RAW. Perhaps you mean RAW Vs jpg? No I mean Pentax raw vs dng.

01-16-2014, 09:09 PM	#6
HSV Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 321	I would prefer PEF because of the smaller file size. As of the resulting quality, so far I have not seen discernible difference.

01-16-2014, 09:24 PM	#7
RGlasel Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Saskatoon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,228	Originally posted by HSV I would prefer PEF because of the smaller file size. I remember getting photos scanned for a brochure and worrying about how to fit a compressed TIFF file onto a 1.44MB floppy disk. A quality 16GB SD card is $20, and the smallest portable hard drive I can find now is 1 TB (which is almost 700,000 times the capacity of a floppy disk). Both formats contain the same information, software is required for your camera to create files in either format, and software is required to view images in either format. Pick the format that works best with the software you use.

01-17-2014, 04:05 PM	#8
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,816	These days I'm shooting dng files straight out of the camera, they're compatible with all my software and there are no additional xmp/sidecar type files after PP, as its all written directly back to the dng file.