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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;jtlee321, post: 2540794, member: 73983&quot;]Exactly.&nbsp; There are three options to choose from with my camera model, Lossless Compressed, Compressed and Uncompressed.&nbsp; Each has the positives and negatives.&nbsp; Lossless compressed allows for a reduction in file size using an algorithm that creates a smaller compressed file without data loss.&nbsp; This is the option I choose when I am shooting on CF and SD cards in the field, it allows you to shoot more images per card.&nbsp; Compressed gives you the smallest RAW file size but at a cost, it uses a compression algorithm that like JPEG throws out data that is determined to not be essential to retain image quality.&nbsp; Lastly is the Uncompressed option which retains every bit of data created by the imaging sensor.&nbsp; This is the option I like to work with as there is ZERO compromise in image quality.&nbsp; The sensor dimensions on the Nikon D800E are 7360 x 4912 which translates to 36.15 MegaPixels or 36,152,320 pixels per image.&nbsp; An uncompressed RAW file has a data size that changes very little and is approximately 75MB.&nbsp; Lossless Compressed gives a file size that can vary depending on the complexity of the image generated by the sensor and typically gives a file that is around 46MB.&nbsp; Compressed also gives a file size that varies depending on complexity of the image and typically gives a file size of around 40MB.</p><p><br /></p><p>The data from the sensor in RAW format can be set to either 12 bits or 14 bits in depth.&nbsp; For each increase in bit depth there is a doubling of the information being recorded.&nbsp; In terms for images the difference is the number of steps between a pixel that is on or off per color channel, so 1 Bit represents either black or white.&nbsp; A typical 8 bit JPEG file has 3 color channels at 8 bits per channel.&nbsp; Each color channel has a luminance range of 256 steps between black and white.&nbsp; Multiply 256 by 3 to arrive at the possible number of colors an 8 bit image can contain, which is 16,777,216 colors.&nbsp; With that kind of color pallet you can see why JPEG is good enough for a vast majority of images.&nbsp; When you start getting up into the 10 ,12 and 14 bit recording capabilities, your dealing with a greater ability to record not just color depth but dynamic range.&nbsp; Dynamic range defines the amount of information available from pure white or the brightest element of a scene down to black or the darkest part of a scene.&nbsp; If you are not planning on editing an image very much, then 8 bits can be enough to give a faithful representation.&nbsp; But, if you want to edit an image to say correct for exposure, then the highest bit depth you have will determine how much flexibility you have in pushing those pixels around without creating anomalies in your images.&nbsp; A 14 bit file gives you a range of 16,384 individual steps between black and white per color channel.&nbsp; This translates into 4,398,046,511,104 (or 4.398 Trillion) possible colors.</p><p><br /></p><p>[USER=1765]@messydesk[/USER] mentioned a conversion program for all this data.&nbsp; This is required in order to interpret the data from the sensor.&nbsp; Each camera model produces it&#039;s own unique RAW format and differs even within the same manufacturer from model to model.&nbsp; Which is why it&#039;s necessary to update your image editing program when a new camera model is introduced.&nbsp; Adobe has created the DNG file or Digital Negative file which can convert the RAW data generated by a camera sensor and save it into a Universal format that can be read years down the road.&nbsp; It&#039;s sort of like back when betamax was around, some people had video cameras that recorded to a betamax tape.&nbsp; Well that format died out a long time ago.&nbsp; It will be very difficult to find equipment that will playback that betamax tape today.&nbsp; Now had you transferred that recording to VHS you would find it much easier to still play back that material.&nbsp; DNG was created because RAW conversion libraries within software suites need to continuously grow with each new camera model introduced.&nbsp; To save on resources, some of the outdated and less used RAW formats can be removed from those libraries in order to keep the software efficient.&nbsp; When those formats are removed, your RAW file is rendered unreadable similar to the betamax problem.&nbsp; Unless of course you keep an older version of software around to convert that older format.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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