RAW vs DNG: File Size, Compatibility, and Which to Shoot

DNG (Digital Negative) is Adobe's open-source raw format. Proprietary RAW files (CR2, CR3, NEF, ARW) come straight from your camera manufacturer. Both contain unprocessed sensor data with full editing flexibility. The main difference: DNG is 15-20% smaller, stores edit metadata inside the file, and works with any software that supports it. Proprietary RAW files keep all manufacturer-specific data but require sidecar XMP files for edits and may lose software support years from now.

File Size and Storage

DNG files are typically 15-20% smaller than the original RAW file because Adobe applies lossless compression during conversion. A Canon CR3 file at 30 MB becomes roughly 24-25 MB as DNG. Over thousands of photos, that adds up. However, the conversion itself takes time, and if you shoot 500 images per session, batch-converting to DNG can add 15-30 minutes to your workflow depending on your hardware.

Metadata and Edit Storage

When you edit a CR2 or NEF in Lightroom, your adjustments go into a separate .xmp sidecar file. Lose that sidecar, and your edits disappear. DNG embeds the edit metadata directly inside the file, so one file contains everything. This makes DNG simpler to manage and back up. The downside: some manufacturer-specific metadata (like Canon's Dual Pixel autofocus data) can be stripped during DNG conversion.

Software Compatibility

DNG works in Lightroom, Photoshop, Capture One, DaVinci Resolve, and most third-party editors. Proprietary RAW formats also work in these tools, but they additionally work in manufacturer software like Canon Digital Photo Professional or Nikon NX Studio, which do not support DNG. If you rely on your camera brand's software for initial processing, DNG is not an option.

Long-Term Archival

DNG is an open specification backed by Adobe and recognized by the US Library of Congress as an archival format. Proprietary RAW formats depend on each manufacturer maintaining support. Canon's old CRW format from 2000 still works in most editors, so the risk of losing support is more theoretical than practical. But if you want a guarantee that your files will open in 30 years, DNG is the safer bet.

Which to Use

Keep shooting proprietary RAW if you use manufacturer software, want zero extra processing time, or need every bit of camera-specific metadata preserved. Convert to DNG if you work exclusively in Adobe or third-party tools, want smaller files, and prefer single-file edit storage. Some photographers keep both: the original RAW as a backup and DNG as the working copy.

Need to convert your photos for web use? Our image to WebP converter produces small, high-quality files perfect for websites. For more image format comparisons, see RAW vs JPEG, DNG vs JPG, TIFF vs JPG, and AVIF vs JPEG.