Use your normal photo viewing software to call up DNG files on Windows or Mac, such as Microsoft Photos, Apple Photos and Apple Previews. Like other raw files, you can open DNG images using some of the most common photo viewing applications. However, this will make the file size considerably larger, which isn’t ideal if you’re trying to save on storage or make quick transfers. You could embed the original RAW inside the DNG so you can continue to use other software. While Adobe software supports the DNG format, other programmes don’t always play well with it.You may be itching to get straight into the editing suite, but it can take time to convert other raw file formats to DNG - which isn’t always convenient for fast-paced working environments.That means faster loading when opening an image in Adobe Lightroom or Camera Raw. This shops a standard-size preview within the file itself. They’re also faster - With DNG, you’ll benefit from a quicker performance by using Fast Load Data.

DNG files are around 20% smaller than RAW files, while maintaining the same image quality.You can be safe in the knowledge that archiving your raw images as DNG files means you’ll still be able to access them in the future. There are more than 500 different types of raw files, with more created all the time, so DNG file is largely flexible and future-proof.So far, so good - but why should or shouldn’t you use DNG files in your day-to-day photography? The files themselves are slightly smaller than other RAW file types, saving room in storage and time in transferring to your hard drive. Today, tech giants such as Apple, Google and Samsung support the format.Ī DNG file stores uncompressed image data on your camera, ready for post-processing in a variety of image editing software programmes. Sometimes, they even lost their photographs if they hadn’t transferred their images before the file types became incompatible with new technology.Īdobe launched the Digital Negative Specification in 2004 to encourage camera makers to standardise the file types used and shared by photographers. This gave photographers a headache because their files were often incompatible with editing software. The creation of DNG files gives photographers greater control over their images and allows digital camera manufacturers to work to a consistent, open standard.Ī DNG file stores uncompressed image data on digital cameras from numerous manufacturers, allowing users to store, share and edit their work without hitting compatibility barriers.īefore the launch of the DNG file, different camera manufacturers - and occasionally different camera models - used their own proprietary technologies to capture RAW images. With an abundance of different cameras and editing software on the market, file compatibility has proven a challenge for photographers when sharing and developing their work. It’s a type of raw file format used in digital photography, developed on the TIFF 6.0 format.

Adobe dng converter for windows