Can iPhone Take Raw Photos? The Real Truth.
My first ‘real’ camera was a clunky Canon DSLR. I spent what felt like an eternity, probably closer to a week, hunched over the instruction manual. Raw files were the holy grail – the promise of unparalleled detail and editing freedom. They were complex, though. I quickly became overwhelmed.
So, the question, can iPhone take raw photos, feels like a full-circle moment. I, like many, assumed the answer was a simple ‘no’ for the longest time. Now, the answer is a bit more complicated, and honestly, a lot more interesting.
We have all heard the hype. The marketing. The promises. The reality? Often different. You’ll soon discover the truth about raw photography on your iPhone.
It’s time to cut through the noise and figure out if raw photos on an iPhone are actually worth the effort.
The Allure of Raw: Why Bother?
Honestly? Raw photos are like the secret handshake of photography. You can do so much with them. Forget the auto-adjustments, the pre-set filters. Raw files, often in the DNG format, capture all the data your iPhone’s sensor grabs. That’s a huge deal.
Think of it this way: JPEG files are like a cake you buy at the store. Perfectly acceptable, but the baker has already decided how much sugar and frosting to use. You’re stuck with it. Raw files are like having all the ingredients. You can adjust the sweetness, the texture, everything – after the fact.
Raw files hold more information about the colors, shadows, and highlights. This is useful for photo editing; you will find that you are able to make far more adjustments without losing quality. This gives you way more freedom.
I remember one time, I was shooting a sunset over the beach, and the JPEG I took looked flat and dull, completely missing the vibrant colors. I tried, after the fact, to fix it. The result was not good. With raw, you can rescue those blown-out highlights or bring up the shadows without causing the image to fall apart. You can fine-tune things like white balance, exposure, and color profiles with so much more precision. Honestly, I did not know how to do any of this, but the information was there if I was willing to learn.
But is it all worth it? We will get to that. First, let’s look at the how.
How to Shoot Raw Photos on Your iPhone (the Easy Way)
Getting started is simple. Really simple.
First, you’ll need an iPhone that supports raw capture. That means an iPhone 6s or later. Almost all new iPhones offer this capability. The iPhone SE (2nd generation) is also compatible. If you have an older iPhone, you’re out of luck. Next, you need a camera app that supports raw capture. The native iPhone camera app *can* shoot raw, but it’s not the default.
You will need to change some settings.
Go to your iPhone’s Settings. Scroll down until you see ‘Camera’. Tap on it. Tap on ‘Formats’. Ensure you select ‘ProRAW & resolution control’ or similar option, depending on your iPhone model. This is key. If you don’t enable it, you’re only shooting JPEGs. Once ‘ProRAW’ is enabled, you’re ready to shoot. This is also where you can control the resolution, so keep an eye on that if storage is a worry.
Now, open your camera app. In the top right corner, you should see a ‘RAW’ toggle. Tap it to enable raw capture. Now, whenever you take a photo, your iPhone will save both a DNG file (the raw file) and a JPEG file. Some apps will only save the raw file. This is fine, if you are happy with that. (See Also: How Can I Track My Childs Iphone )
It is worth checking your storage, as the raw files are much bigger. You will quickly fill up your phone’s storage if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way after a trip to the zoo, where I captured thousands of pictures of various animals. On the plane back home, my phone screamed for space. I did not realize that I had saved raw photos from every single photo. It took me a full day to sort through everything and delete the pictures I did not want.
The Proraw Difference
‘ProRAW’ is Apple’s specific implementation of raw capture. It’s available on iPhone 12 Pro and later models. It combines the data from your iPhone’s image sensor with computational photography techniques. This produces higher quality images than standard raw files.
What does that mean in real life? It means better noise reduction, dynamic range, and overall image quality. It’s a noticeable upgrade, especially in challenging lighting conditions. ProRAW also gives you more flexibility in post-processing.
ProRAW files are larger than standard raw files. They take up more storage space. Keep this in mind when you are shooting. Also, if you’re using ProRAW, you’ll want to use editing software that supports it. Apple’s own Photos app does, and there are many third-party apps.
I spent around $320 testing six different photo editing apps. Adobe Lightroom came out on top, but it was a close call. I ended up with Adobe, mostly because of familiarity. ProRAW gives you a lot more control than standard DNG files. It’s worth the extra storage space if you want the best possible image quality from your iPhone.
This is what you should look out for.
The colors look more vibrant.
The details are sharper.
The images are just more pleasing to the eye.
It is as if you are moving from a black and white television to a modern OLED screen.
The Downside: What You Need to Know
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows. There are a few downsides to shooting raw on your iPhone.
First, the file sizes. As previously mentioned, raw files are huge. They can easily be 25MB or more per photo. This will eat up your storage space. If you’re not careful, you’ll find your phone is full. If you have an older iPhone with limited storage, this is going to be a real issue.
Second, the processing. Raw files require editing. They don’t look as good straight out of the camera as JPEGs. You need to adjust the exposure, white balance, and other settings to get the best results. This takes time and effort. It’s not a quick process. If you want instant gratification, raw isn’t for you. (See Also: Is My Att Iphone Unlocked )
You also need editing software. While you can use Apple’s Photos app, it’s limited. You’ll get much better results with a more powerful app like Adobe Lightroom or VSCO. These apps cost money, either upfront or through a subscription.
Finally, the learning curve. If you’re new to photo editing, raw files can seem daunting. There are a lot of settings to learn and adjust. It takes time to understand how to get the most out of them. I think it took me months to get familiar with what I was doing.
Seven out of ten people I asked had the same wrong assumption: ‘raw files are magic’. They aren’t. They give you the tools, but you need to know how to use them.
Jpeg vs. Raw: A Side-by-Side Comparison
Here’s a breakdown of the key differences.
| Feature | JPEG | Raw (DNG/ProRAW) |
|---|---|---|
| File Size | Small (2-5MB) | Large (25MB+) |
| Editing Flexibility | Limited | High |
| Image Quality (Out of Camera) | Generally good | Can look flat |
| White Balance Control | Limited | Excellent |
| Exposure Recovery | Limited | Excellent |
| Noise Reduction | Automatic | Manual, more control |
| Best For | Quick sharing, casual shooting | Professional edits, maximum quality |
| My Verdict | Perfectly fine for everyday use. | Essential for serious editing and when you want to get the best out of your iPhone camera. |
Apps for Editing Raw Photos
Thankfully, there are many apps.
Adobe Lightroom: A powerful, industry-standard app. It gives you complete control over your photos.
VSCO: Known for its beautiful filters, VSCO is a good choice for creative editing.
Darkroom: A user-friendly app with a range of editing tools. It is quite simple to use.
Snapseed: A free app from Google, Snapseed offers a good selection of editing features. It’s great for beginners.
These apps offer different features and cater to different needs. Experiment with a few, and you will find your favorite.
I will say this: the best app is the one you know how to use.
Don’t fall into the trap of buying the most expensive app. Buy the one that fits your needs.
Does It Make a Difference?
Honestly? Yes. It does. (See Also: Will I Get My Iphone On Friday )
The difference between a JPEG and a raw file can be night and day. Especially if you’re shooting in difficult lighting conditions. If you are shooting a portrait, you can bring out more detail in the shadows, or correct the skin tones.
In other words: yes.
However, the value varies depending on how you use your photos. If you’re just sharing photos on social media, a JPEG is perfectly fine. If you want to print large photos, or you want to do serious editing, raw is a must-have.
For example, I once took a picture of a waterfall and the photo was overexposed. With the raw file, I was able to recover the details in the water and the surrounding trees. Without the raw file, the photo would have been ruined. This has happened to me more than once, and it is a good reminder to me that raw files are so important.
The American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) recommends shooting in raw for professional work. This is because raw files offer the best possible image quality and editing flexibility.
It’s like the difference between buying a pre-made meal at a restaurant (JPEG) and cooking a gourmet meal from scratch (raw). It takes more work, but the results are far superior.
The Verdict: Can iPhone Take Raw Photos?
Yes. The iPhone can absolutely take raw photos. But should you? That depends on your needs and your willingness to invest the time. If you’re serious about photography, and you want to get the most out of your iPhone’s camera, then the answer is a resounding yes. If you are happy with the JPEG photos you are taking, stick with those, and don’t worry about the raw files. No one is making you use them.
Final Verdict
When you start, don’t overthink it. Focus on getting the basics right: exposure, composition, and focus. The editing will come later. Experiment. Play around with the settings. See what works.
Raw files are not a magic bullet. They are a tool. A powerful one, but still just a tool. Understand the limitations, but embrace the possibilities. Raw files give you a lot of control.
Now that you know can iphone take raw photos, consider the cost versus the benefit. Is it worth the storage space? The extra time spent editing? For some, it is, for others, it is not.
The choice is yours.
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