RAW reference
Camera RAW Format Database
Every camera brand wraps its sensor data in a different RAW format, and the file extension rarely tells you which. This table maps 18 makers to the 25 RAW formats they produce — with the camera models that use each one, and a free converter for every format that runs entirely in your browser.
The short answer:Canon uses CR2 and CR3, Nikon uses NEF, Sony uses ARW, Fujifilm uses RAF, Panasonic uses RW2, Olympus/OM System uses ORF, and Pentax uses PEF. Leica, Ricoh, DJI, Sigma's newer cameras and Apple ProRAW use the open DNG format. Medium-format backs from Hasselblad (3FR), Phase One (IIQ), Mamiya (MEF) and Leaf (MOS) each have their own. All of them decode to JPG or PNG here — no upload, no manufacturer software.
Quick reference: brand to RAW format
| Brand | RAW format(s) |
|---|---|
| Canon | .crw.cr2.cr3 |
| Nikon | .nef.nrw |
| Sony | .arw.sr2.srf |
| Fujifilm | .raf |
| Panasonic | .rw2 |
| Olympus / OM System | .orf |
| Pentax / Ricoh | .pef |
| Leica | .rwl |
| Sigma | .x3f |
| Hasselblad | .3fr.fff |
| Phase One | .iiq |
| Mamiya | .mef |
| Leaf | .mos |
| Kodak | .dcr.kdc |
| Samsung | .srw |
| Konica Minolta | .mrw |
| Epson | .erf |
| Adobe DNG (open format, many makers) | .dng |
Canon
Canon has shipped three RAW formats. The early CRW gave way to the TIFF-based CR2 across the DSLR era, and CR3 arrived with mirrorless — a newer ISO-container format many older tools still can't open.
| Format | Years | Example cameras | Convert |
|---|---|---|---|
| .crwCRW | 2000–2004 | EOS D30, EOS D60, EOS 10D, EOS 300D (Digital Rebel), PowerShot G2 / G3 / G5 / Pro1 | CRW → JPG |
| .cr2CR2 | 2004–2018 | EOS 5D / 5D Mark II–IV, EOS 6D, EOS 7D / 7D II, EOS 20D–80D, EOS Rebel (xxxD) series, EOS-1D X / 1D X II | CR2 → JPG |
| .cr3CR3 | 2018–present | EOS R / RP, EOS R5 / R6 / R6 II, EOS R7 / R8 / R10 / R50 / R100, EOS M50 / M6 Mark II, EOS 90D / 250D | CR3 → JPG |
Nikon
Nikon's RAW format is NEF, used by every DSLR and Z-series mirrorless body. The Coolpix compacts use a separate NRW variant.
Sony
Sony's current RAW format is ARW, used across Alpha mirrorless, the older A-mount DSLRs and the RX line. Two early formats — SR2 and SRF — predate it.
Fujifilm
Fujifilm's RAF format covers the X-series and GFX medium-format cameras. Its X-Trans sensors use a 6×6 colour array that needs specialised demosaicing.
| Format | Years | Example cameras | Convert |
|---|---|---|---|
| .rafRAF | 2000–present | X-T1–X-T5, X-T30 / X-T50, X-H1 / X-H2 / X-H2S, X-Pro2 / X-Pro3, X100V / X100VI, X-E4, X-S10 / X-S20, GFX 50S / 50R, GFX 100 / 100S / 100 II | RAF → JPG |
Panasonic
Panasonic Lumix cameras record the RW2 format, from the Micro Four Thirds G-series to the full-frame S line and the LX / TZ compacts.
| Format | Years | Example cameras | Convert |
|---|---|---|---|
| .rw2RW2 | 2008–present | Lumix GH5 / GH6, GH5S, G9 / G9 II, S1 / S1R / S1H, S5 / S5 II, LX100 / LX100 II, TZ / ZS series, FZ1000 / FZ2000 | RW2 → JPG |
Olympus / OM System
Olympus (now OM System) Micro Four Thirds cameras write the ORF format across the OM-D, PEN and Tough lines.
| Format | Years | Example cameras | Convert |
|---|---|---|---|
| .orfORF | 2003–present | OM-D E-M1 / E-M1 II / III, OM-1 / OM-1 II, OM-5, E-M5 / E-M5 II / III, E-M10 series, PEN E-PL series, PEN-F, Tough TG-5 / TG-6 / TG-7 | ORF → JPG |
Pentax / Ricoh
Pentax DSLRs default to the PEF format, though most bodies can also record Adobe DNG. Ricoh's GR compacts shoot DNG directly.
| Format | Years | Example cameras | Convert |
|---|---|---|---|
| .pefPEF | 2003–present | K-1 / K-1 II, K-3 / K-3 II / K-3 III, K-5 / K-5 II, K-70, KP, K-x / K-r, K-S1 / K-S2 | PEF → JPG |
Leica
Leica's M, Q and SL cameras record Adobe DNG. The Panasonic-built D-Lux, V-Lux and C-Lux compacts use Leica's own RWL variant.
| Format | Years | Example cameras | Convert |
|---|---|---|---|
| .rwlRWL | 2009–present | D-Lux 5 / 6 / 7, V-Lux 3 / 4 / 5, C-Lux, D-Lux (Typ 109) | RWL → JPG |
Sigma
Sigma's Foveon-sensor cameras use the X3F format, whose stacked photosites need Sigma-specific processing. The newer fp / fp L switched to DNG.
| Format | Years | Example cameras | Convert |
|---|---|---|---|
| .x3fX3F | 2002–present | SD9 / SD10 / SD14 / SD15, SD1 / SD1 Merrill, DP1 / DP2 / DP3 Merrill, dp0 / dp1 / dp2 / dp3 Quattro, sd Quattro / sd Quattro H | X3F → JPG |
Hasselblad
Hasselblad cameras and digital backs capture the 3FR format; FFF is the processed variant written by Phocus and older FlexColor workflows.
Phase One
Phase One (and Leaf Credo) medium-format digital backs record the IIQ format, IIQ 14-bit and the smaller IIQ Sensor+ variants included.
| Format | Years | Example cameras | Convert |
|---|---|---|---|
| .iiqIIQ | 2008–present | IQ1 / IQ2 / IQ3 / IQ4 backs, P25 / P45 / P65+ backs, XF camera system, XT camera | IIQ → JPG |
Mamiya
Mamiya's medium-format digital bodies and backs use the MEF format.
| Format | Years | Example cameras | Convert |
|---|---|---|---|
| .mefMEF | 2004–2012 | Mamiya ZD, Mamiya 645 AFD with ZD back | MEF → JPG |
Leaf
Leaf's high-resolution medium-format digital backs, later part of Phase One, write the MOS format.
| Format | Years | Example cameras | Convert |
|---|---|---|---|
| .mosMOS | 2000–2012 | Leaf Aptus / Aptus-II, Valeo, Cantare, Volare backs | MOS → JPG |
Kodak
Kodak's professional DCS SLRs and digital backs used two RAW formats: the earlier KDC and the later DCR.
Samsung
Samsung's NX mirrorless cameras recorded the SRW format before the line was discontinued.
| Format | Years | Example cameras | Convert |
|---|---|---|---|
| .srwSRW | 2010–2015 | NX1, NX500, NX300 / NX300M, NX30, NX20 / NX210 / NX200, NX mini, Galaxy NX | SRW → JPG |
Konica Minolta
Konica Minolta's DiMAGE compacts and Maxxum / Dynax DSLRs used the MRW format before the camera business passed to Sony.
| Format | Years | Example cameras | Convert |
|---|---|---|---|
| .mrwMRW | 2000–2006 | DiMAGE 7 / 7i / 7Hi, A1 / A2 / A200, Maxxum / Dynax 5D, Maxxum / Dynax 7D | MRW → JPG |
Epson
Epson's R-D1 rangefinder — the first digital rangefinder camera — records the ERF format.
| Format | Years | Example cameras | Convert |
|---|---|---|---|
| .erfERF | 2004–2009 | R-D1, R-D1s, R-D1x / R-D1xG | ERF → JPG |
Adobe DNG (open format, many makers)
DNG is Adobe's openly documented RAW format. It's the native capture format of several makers and the archival format many photographers convert their proprietary RAW files into.
| Format | Years | Example cameras | Convert |
|---|---|---|---|
| .dngDNG | 2004–present | Leica M / Q / SL, Ricoh GR III / IIIx, Sigma fp / fp L, Apple ProRAW (iPhone 12 Pro+), Google Pixel, DJI drones (Mavic / Air / Mini), many Pentax bodies, most Android RAW | DNG → JPG |
Frequently asked questions
What RAW format does Canon use?
Canon DSLRs from 2004–2018 produce CR2 files; the EOS R mirrorless line and recent bodies (since 2018) produce CR3. The earliest Canon digital SLRs used CRW.
What RAW format does Nikon use?
Every Nikon DSLR and Z-series mirrorless camera records NEF. Nikon's Coolpix compacts used a separate NRW variant.
What RAW format does Sony use?
Sony's Alpha mirrorless, A-mount DSLRs and RX compacts all record ARW. Two early cameras used the older SR2 (DSC-R1) and SRF (DSC-F828) formats.
What is a DNG file, and which cameras use it?
DNG is Adobe's open RAW format. Leica M/Q/SL, Ricoh GR, Sigma fp, Apple ProRAW, Google Pixel and most DJI drones capture DNG natively, and many photographers convert other RAW files to DNG for archiving.
Can I open these RAW files without the manufacturer's software?
Yes. Every format in this table is decoded by LibRaw, the open-source engine behind this site's converters — so you can turn any of them into JPG or PNG right in your browser, with no upload and no manufacturer app installed.
Convert your RAW files
Whichever format your camera writes, you can turn it into a JPG or PNG here — locally in your browser, with no upload and no size limits. The universal converter accepts every extension in this table.