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RAW vs. JPEG vs. HEIF: Which Format Should You Use?
Every digital photo you take is saved in a format that determines its file size, image quality, editing flexibility, and long-term compatibility. The three formats most people encounter are JPEG, HEIF (sometimes labelled HEIC), and RAW. Each involves a different set of trade-offs, and the best choice depends on what you plan to do with the image after you take it.
This is not a question with one correct answer. A professional photographer, a hobbyist, and someone who mostly takes phone photos of their lunch will each benefit from different approaches. Understanding what each format does, and what it costs you, lets you make an informed decision rather than simply using whatever your device defaults to.
What each format is
JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) has been the standard image format since 1992. When a camera saves a JPEG, it processes the raw sensor data, applies adjustments like sharpening and colour correction, compresses the result using lossy compression, and discards the original sensor data. The output is a compact, finished file ready to view, share, or print. Every device, browser, and application in existence can open a JPEG. It is the lingua franca of digital images.
Lossy compression means that some image data is permanently removed to reduce file size. At high quality settings, the loss is invisible to most viewers. At aggressive compression levels, artefacts become visible: blocky patches in gradients, halos around edges, and loss of fine detail. Each time a JPEG is opened, edited, and resaved, additional quality is lost, because the compression is applied again to an already-compressed file.
HEIF (High Efficiency Image Format) is the modern alternative to JPEG. Apple adopted it as the default photo format on iPhones starting with iOS 11 in 2017, using the HEIC file extension. HEIF uses more advanced compression algorithms (based on the HEVC video codec) that produce files roughly 40 to 50 percent smaller than equivalent-quality JPEGs. A photo that would be 4MB as JPEG might be 2MB as HEIF, with no visible quality difference.
Beyond smaller file size, HEIF supports features JPEG lacks: 10-bit colour depth (JPEG is limited to 8-bit), transparency, image sequences, and depth maps. It is a technically superior format in nearly every measurable way. Its limitation is compatibility. While support has broadened considerably since 2017, HEIF files can still cause friction in workflows involving older software, some web platforms, and non-Apple ecosystems.
RAW is not a single format but a category. Each camera manufacturer uses its own proprietary RAW format: Canon uses CR3, Nikon uses NEF, Sony uses ARW, Fujifilm uses RAF, and so on. Apple's phones can capture in Apple ProRAW (DNG-based). What all RAW formats share is that they preserve the unprocessed data from the camera's sensor, with no compression artefacts, no baked-in colour adjustments, and no discarded information.
A RAW file is not a finished image. It is a set of ingredients that require processing (in software like Lightroom, Capture One, or Darktable) to become a viewable photograph. This processing step is what gives RAW its advantage: because no data has been discarded, you have far more latitude to adjust exposure, colour balance, shadow detail, and highlight recovery after the fact.
File size comparison
The storage difference between formats is substantial, and it compounds over time.
A single 12-megapixel photo from a modern smartphone might occupy roughly 2 to 4MB as JPEG, 1 to 2MB as HEIF, or 12 to 25MB as Apple ProRAW (DNG). A 45-megapixel full-frame camera produces JPEGs around 15 to 20MB, while its RAW files run 40 to 80MB each, depending on the compression setting and bit depth.
To put this in practical terms: a photographer who takes 200 photos during a day out generates about 600MB to 1GB of JPEGs, 300 to 500MB of HEIF files, or 8 to 16GB of RAW files. Over a year of regular shooting (say 10,000 photos), the difference is roughly 30GB in JPEG, 15GB in HEIF, or 250 to 500GB in RAW. Over a decade, a RAW shooter can easily accumulate several terabytes. Understanding how much cloud storage you need becomes a more pressing question when RAW files are involved.
These numbers matter because they affect which storage approach is viable. A JPEG library from a decade of phone photography fits comfortably on a free or low-cost cloud plan. A RAW library from the same period may require multiple terabytes of cloud storage or dedicated local drives.
When to use each format
The right format depends on what happens after you press the shutter button.
JPEG is the right choice when you want a finished photo with minimal fuss. Casual phone photography, snapshots you plan to share immediately, documentation photos, and any situation where you will not be editing the image significantly all favour JPEG. The files are small, universally compatible, and look good straight out of the camera. If your photo workflow consists of "take photo, maybe share it, move on," JPEG serves you well.
HEIF is a sensible default for iPhone users who want smaller files without sacrificing quality. If your photos stay within the Apple ecosystem, or you share primarily through messaging apps and social media (which recompress images regardless of source format), HEIF saves meaningful storage space with no practical downside. Apple devices convert HEIF to JPEG automatically when sharing with non-Apple recipients, which reduces compatibility friction. For more on how different image file formats handle compression, see our dedicated explainer.
RAW is the right choice when editing flexibility matters. If you shoot in challenging lighting conditions, plan to do significant post-processing, or need to deliver the highest quality output, RAW preserves options that JPEG and HEIF discard. Wedding photographers, landscape photographers, and anyone doing commercial work typically shoot RAW for this reason. The cost is larger files, a required editing step, and more demanding storage needs.
Many photographers use a dual approach: RAW plus JPEG. The camera saves both simultaneously. The JPEG provides an immediately usable image; the RAW provides a fallback for photos that need more careful editing. This uses more storage per photo but eliminates the need to choose in the moment.
The editing advantage of RAW
The practical benefit of RAW becomes clear when you need to rescue or refine a photo in post-processing.
Exposure recovery is the most dramatic example. A JPEG that is overexposed (too bright) has lost highlight detail permanently; the blown-out areas contain no recoverable information. A RAW file from the same scene typically retains two to three additional stops of highlight data that can be pulled back in editing. Similarly, shadow detail that appears as pure black in a JPEG can often be lifted from a RAW file to reveal texture and colour. This latitude exists because the sensor captured far more tonal range than the JPEG compression preserved.
White balance adjustment is another area where RAW excels. In JPEG, the white balance chosen at the time of capture is baked into the file. Correcting it later is possible but imprecise, often introducing colour casts. In RAW, white balance is simply a metadata tag; you can change it in editing with no quality penalty, as if you had chosen a different setting on the camera.
Colour grading, noise reduction, and lens correction all benefit from working with uncompressed sensor data. Professional retouching workflows nearly always begin with RAW files for this reason. The edits are non-destructive: the original RAW data remains unchanged, and adjustments are stored as a separate set of instructions.
For photographers and designers who work with images as part of a creative process, the editing flexibility of RAW can be worth the storage cost. For casual use, the difference is rarely meaningful enough to justify the added complexity.
Compatibility considerations
JPEG works everywhere. This is not an exaggeration. Every web browser, email client, operating system, phone, printer, photo kiosk, and application supports JPEG. A JPEG file created in 1995 opens without issue today. This universality is JPEG's greatest strength and the reason it persists despite being technically outclassed by newer formats.
HEIF compatibility has improved substantially but is not yet universal. macOS, iOS, Windows 10 and later (with a free codec from Microsoft), and recent versions of Android all support HEIF. Most modern web browsers can display HEIF images. However, some older software, certain web platforms, and many print services still expect JPEG. If your workflow involves sending photos to clients, uploading to diverse platforms, or printing through third-party services, JPEG remains the safer choice.
RAW compatibility is the most fragmented. Each camera manufacturer's RAW format requires specific software support. Adobe Lightroom and Capture One support most major RAW formats, but support for a new camera's format can lag weeks or months behind the camera's release. Free tools like Darktable and RawTherapee cover many formats but not all. If you share RAW files with collaborators, they need compatible software to open them. This is why RAW files are used as working files, not delivery files. The final output is typically exported as JPEG, TIFF, or PNG.
Adobe's DNG (Digital Negative) format was designed to address RAW fragmentation. It is an open, documented RAW format that any software can implement support for. Converting proprietary RAW files to DNG provides a measure of future-proofing, though some photographers prefer to keep their original proprietary files alongside DNG conversions. Apple ProRAW on iPhones uses DNG as its container, which is a pragmatic choice.
Storage implications at scale
For casual phone photographers shooting in JPEG or HEIF, storage is unlikely to become a pressing concern for years. A decade of phone photos in HEIF might total 50 to 100GB, well within the capacity of a modest cloud storage plan.
For enthusiast and professional photographers shooting RAW, storage planning is essential. A working professional might shoot 50,000 to 100,000 RAW files per year. At 50MB per file, that is 2.5 to 5TB annually. Over a career, multi-tens-of-terabytes libraries are common. These photographers typically use a combination of fast local drives for active work, larger archive drives for completed projects, and cloud backup for offsite redundancy.
The ongoing cost of storage is worth considering when choosing a format. RAW files do not just cost more to store initially; they cost more to back up, more to sync across devices, and more to migrate when you change storage solutions. A cloud workspace that handles large files efficiently and provides strong search across a growing library reduces the friction of managing a large collection, but the underlying storage cost remains proportional to file size.
Archival considerations
The question of which format will remain readable in 20, 30, or 50 years matters if you care about long-term access to your photos.
JPEG is the safest long-term bet. It is an open standard, universally implemented, and so deeply embedded in the digital infrastructure that it is essentially guaranteed to remain supported indefinitely. A JPEG file you create today will almost certainly be readable in 2060.
HEIF is well-supported and backed by major technology companies, making it a reasonable archival choice. It is based on standardised video codecs (HEVC/H.265 and, increasingly, AV1), which are themselves widely adopted. The risk is lower than with proprietary formats, but HEIF is younger than JPEG and does not yet have the same track record.
RAW formats carry the greatest archival risk. Proprietary formats depend on continued support from camera manufacturers and software developers. If a camera company goes out of business or stops updating its software, its RAW format could become difficult to open. This has not been a major problem so far, because Adobe and open-source communities have maintained broad RAW support. But the risk is real enough that archival-minded photographers often convert their RAW files to DNG as a hedge, while retaining the original proprietary files as well.
The practical archival strategy is to keep original files in whatever format they were captured in, and maintain JPEG exports of your best or most important images as an insurance policy. JPEGs are lightweight enough that maintaining a parallel set of exports costs relatively little storage.
Practical advice for different users
For the casual phone photographer: use whatever your phone defaults to. If you have an iPhone, that means HEIF. If you have an Android phone, it is likely JPEG, though many recent Android phones also support HEIF. Do not overthink this. The format matters far less than having a consistent backup and organisation system. Understanding the metadata embedded in your photos is more useful than worrying about format choice.
For the enthusiast who edits photos: consider shooting RAW for photos you care about, particularly in challenging lighting. Use JPEG or HEIF for casual shots. Most cameras allow you to set RAW as the default and switch to JPEG when you do not need the editing flexibility. Keep your RAW originals organised in a system that supports large files and robust search.
For the professional: shoot RAW. There is no realistic alternative for commercial work, event photography, or any context where clients expect maximum quality and editing flexibility. Invest in storage infrastructure accordingly. Maintain a disciplined workflow for managing creative assets: import, cull, edit, export, archive. Your digital asset management approach matters more than your format choice, because the format is already decided for you by professional requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Does shooting in RAW make my photos better?
Not inherently. RAW gives you more data to work with in editing, which means greater potential for quality. But a well-exposed, well-composed JPEG can look better than a poorly handled RAW file. RAW is a tool for maximising editing flexibility, not an automatic quality improvement.
Can I convert JPEG to RAW?
No. Converting JPEG to RAW is not possible in any meaningful sense. The data discarded during JPEG compression cannot be recovered. You can open a JPEG in editing software and save it in a lossless format, but the additional editing flexibility of RAW is gone. Conversion only works in one direction: RAW to JPEG, not the reverse.
Will HEIF replace JPEG?
Gradually, in some contexts. HEIF is technically superior to JPEG in most respects, and its adoption is growing. However, JPEG's universal compatibility and decades of infrastructure support mean it will remain relevant for a very long time. The two formats are likely to coexist for years, with HEIF dominant in mobile photography and JPEG persisting in web publishing, print, and archival use.
Should I convert my HEIF photos to JPEG for compatibility?
Only if you are experiencing compatibility problems. If your photos stay within Apple's ecosystem or are shared through apps that handle conversion automatically, there is no benefit to converting. If you need to deliver photos to clients or services that require JPEG, most editing tools and Apple's own sharing features handle the conversion seamlessly.
How do I know what format my phone is shooting in?
On iPhone, go to Settings, then Camera, then Formats. "High Efficiency" means HEIF; "Most Compatible" means JPEG. On Android, the setting location varies by manufacturer, but it is typically found in the camera app's settings menu under photo format or quality. Some Android phones label the options as HEIF and JPEG directly.
Is DNG better than proprietary RAW formats?
DNG offers better long-term compatibility and standardisation, since it is an open format. Some photographers prefer it for archival purposes. However, converting from proprietary RAW to DNG can discard manufacturer-specific metadata or processing profiles. Many photographers keep both: the original proprietary RAW and a DNG conversion. There is no consensus on which is "better" in absolute terms.
Do social media platforms preserve image format and quality?
Most social media platforms recompress uploaded images regardless of the source format. Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter convert uploads to their own optimised JPEG or WebP files. The source format matters less than the source quality: uploading a high-quality JPEG and a high-quality HEIF will produce similar results after the platform's recompression. This is one reason why shooting in RAW for social media posts, unless you are doing careful editing first, offers little practical benefit.
How much storage do I save by using HEIF instead of JPEG?
Roughly 40 to 50 percent for equivalent image quality. If your JPEG photo library is 100GB, the same photos in HEIF would occupy approximately 50 to 60GB. Over years of photography, this adds up. For someone taking 3,000 photos a year, the difference might be 5 to 10GB annually, which is modest but meaningful on devices with limited storage.
Can I shoot RAW on my phone?
Yes, most modern smartphones offer a RAW or ProRAW option, though it is usually not enabled by default. On iPhones, Apple ProRAW is available on Pro models. On Android, many camera apps offer a "Pro" or "Manual" mode that includes RAW capture. Phone RAW files are smaller than camera RAW files (typically 10 to 25MB) because phone sensors have lower resolution and smaller pixel sizes than dedicated camera sensors.
What format should I use for printing photos?
For home printing or standard photo prints, JPEG at high quality is perfectly fine. For large prints, fine art printing, or professional output, working from a RAW file and exporting as TIFF (uncompressed, lossless) gives the best results. HEIF works for printing too, as long as your printer software supports it. The print itself does not "know" what format the source file was; only the resolution and image quality matter.