RAW Converters

RAW files are basically the data from your cameras CCD (Charge Coupled Device, the image sensor) that is saved directly to you memory card without any processing. This data either contains 12 or 14 bits of data per pixel depending on the the camera.

Here is a list of the common RAW file extensions used on various cameras:

Since each camera manufacturer has it’s own “format” for RAW files there are a number of programs used for converting your RAW image into a more “portable” common format. There are also some programs that can process a number of different camera types.

The software that is available for purchase is marked with a dollar sign ($), though most companies will offer a free trial download (trial-ware marked with a TW), if a package is available for free it will be marked with a (FW) for freeware.

The following is a list of software that is not specific to any make or model or camera.

From Bibble Labs this software comes in two versions, a Lite and a Pro version and is available for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.

The Bibble software can read raw files from various camera manufactures, see their technical specifications page as they are constantly updating the software to add support to more and more cameras.

ImageConverter Plus from fCoder, Ltd. is a software package that can also take RAW files from various camera makes and convert them to more portable formats.

A complete list of the file formats supported by ImageConverter Plus can be found on their supported formats page.

This is a list of software the is specific tom one make or model of camera, though usually narrower in focus, they do sometimes offer features that help it work better with your cameras RAW format.

Capture NX (formerly Nikon Capture) is the latest incarnation of Nikon’s image capture software to read the NEF (Nikon Electronic Format) RAW files.