Open RAW files

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Digital Camera Photo RAW Image Format
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Have you encountered a problem with a RAW file? Don’t you know which program opens a file with this extension? You will find all the information you need about working with a RAW file here. In the further part of this page we have added a list of programs that should open your RAW file. It is enough you choose a proper application for your operating system, download and install it.

What is RAW file?

RAW files contain RAW image data generated by different models of digital cameras from different manufacturers, such as Panasonic, Leica and Casio.

More info

The RAW files contain the unprocessed or minimally processed RAW data of the image sensor. Although these RAW (raw) data are larger than the JPEG files stored by the device, they are more versatile.
These sometimes called "digital negative" RAW data are excellent for post-processing such as the adjustment of the colors, correction of the exposure, suitable for sharpening or noise filter. They are indispensable for professional work or things like astrophotography.
In order to convert them into an RGB image format that can be commonly used, the data must be "developed". This means that processing steps such as interpolation and exposure as well as converting to a format such as PNG, PSD, TIFF or JPEG must be performed.
However, there is no uniform RAW data format. Every manufacturer has developed his own. These proprietary and often undocumented formats can only be processed by specialized software. They can contain different data, for example in different color depths, depending on the capabilities of the sensor as well as the software integrated in the camera. Manufacturers are changing their RAW formats relatively frequently, which means that program support often needs to be adjusted. Supporting the extension is not enough if the specific camera is not supported.
Most RAW files also contain metadata with information about the image and the recording conditions, in part also in the EXIF or IPTC standard.
Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements support a large number of cameras with the help of the free plug-in Adobe Camera RAW (ACR). Which depends on the ACR version. However, newer versions of ACR can only be used by the latest versions of the main programs.

Programs which can open a RAW file

Windows

Linux

Mac OS

How to open file with RAW extension?

In order to open a file with RAW extension one of the following programs must be installed on user’s system. If a problem with opening RAW file occurred, it is highly possible that none of the listed programs is present on user’s system. Even if one or more said programs are installed, there may be issues related with given programs. In order to solve a problem with RAW files, follow the instructions below.

Install Apple Preview or other program from the list

Most often resolving problems with opening RAW files is very simple. Just install an appropriate program that supports such files. All of the listed programs support RAW files, but may vary in offered function and purpose. Some programs may be capable only of viewing contents of RAW files or offer file conversion options, but may not be capable of editing such files.

Set Apple Preview as the default program for opening RAW files

It is possible that although a compatible program has been installed on user’s system, it is not used by the system to open it. This may happen because no default application was associated with this type of files. To associate RAW files with given application, select "Open with" from drop-down menu (accessed by right-clicking on the file). Then select from the list the program or application you want to be used to open this type of file. If the Apple Preview applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where Apple Preview has been installed.

Check the section that lists most common problems with RAW files

Sometimes problems with opening RAW files may not lie with the application itself, but can arise due to other causes, such as:

File data is corrupted
RAW files has been not been completely download from the internet (only a part of the data has been downloaded)
Currently used user account hasn’t been granted necessary privileges to open RAW files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
RAW file was being copied from a corrupted storage device and is incomplete or data is corrupted. (Copying files from unknown or untrusted sources should be conducted with great care as such files may contain malicious software, which can damage your system)