When to Shoot Raw vs. JPEG?
JPEG is the default file format saved by most digital cameras. To save a JPEG, the camera software processes the Raw capture, determining optimum exposure, color range, and contrast. Then the camera software creates a tidy compressed file, which invariably causes some loss of data. Using a JPEG may be adequate for some imaging needs, but falls short when greater control over color, contrast, and detail in the image is necessary. In a RAW file, only the ISO speed, aperture, and shutter speed are preset—everything else is open to interpretation—giving you complete control over the rendering of delicate tones, color balance, and fine details. A JPEG file is, by definition, only 8 bits per channel and will support only minimal editing before the damage becomes obvious. In a converter such as Camera Raw, colors are edited in a higher bit space, typically 12 bits per channel or higher. Using Camera Raw software allows you to make larger editing moves with less data damage like posterization
