Detail of RAW vs Jpeg

Gadgetdude · 2025-07-06T16:17:16-0400

I am hoping someone can help me understand the difference in detail of RAW vs JPEG? I was always under the impression that RAW imgages showed more detail. I mean they are almost three times the file size. 59mb vs 162mb. See images below that I took today. I have zoomed in on each of the two different images to show the difference I am getting between the RAW and jpeg version. On each image below, the RAW file is on top. Just look at the lily pads and the difference is glaring.

tstr14 · 2025-07-06T17:17:14-0400

I have noticed the same difference in DJI RAW vs JPEG. I believe it is because the JPG images are processed while the RAW are not. If you use photo processing software, such as Photoshop, you will find you can manually process the RAW images to be superior to the JPEG, especially if enlarging.

After years of shooting photos with cameras, I learned that unless I needed to make sure the finished product was as good as it could be, I would shoot JPEG only. The RAW images my cameras produce are far superior to those the DJI system provides, but even with them, if I want a top shelf image, I have to tweak the RAW image. That's OK for a handful of photos but gets old in a hurry if doing a lot of them.

KS-6 · 2025-07-06T17:18:49-0400

Which camera and are the focus methods the same?

Johnmcl7 · 2025-07-06T17:57:11-0400

What software are you using to process the raw image and what settings are you using? Although something doesn't look right to be getting so much less detail, the raw file has an embedded low resolution jpeg to make it easier to preview the image and I'm wondering if that's what you're using for the comparison above?

These days I wouldn't expect to get much more detail in the raw compared to the jpeg because the jpeg conversions from the devices are usually pretty good as long as they're not over processing the image.

As mentioned above, when the camera produces the jpeg file it's doing the raw to jpeg conversion for you and in many cases that can be good enough not to need the raw file - if you process the raw file similar to the camera, you'll get a similar jpeg at the end of it. However the advantage of the raw files is when the camera produces the jpeg file, a lot of data is lost so if you're not happy with the way it's processed the raw file gives you the freedom to process it with the settings you want. It's much easier to change WB when processing a raw file and where it can be particularly useful with a larger sensor is the amount of data you can pull back in the highlights and shadow areas of the image.

Jim Martin · 2025-07-06T19:11:48-0400

It might be the program you are using to view the files. Some viewers (like Windows Photo) don't always do a good job of rendering RAW files, but when I import them into Lightroom, they look fine.

The file size difference is because jpg files are compressed vs uncompressed RAW files that contain more data. Since both images were taken with the same sensor, the amount of detail should be the same.

Maybe you could upload the two files?

Gadgetdude · 2025-07-06T20:34:51-0400

Thank you all for your answers. You each were correct. I was viewing them from the drone hooked up to my iPad through the file viewer. Once I used my processing app, Affinity, it processed the RAW image in full resolution. However as tstr14 and Johnmcl7 pointed out, the jpeg processing in the DJI software is processing the jpeg almost superior to the RAW. Unless you are printing really large prints there really is not much benefit to shooting raw. Attached is the zoomed in portion of both Raw and jpeg. The JPEG is the one with more saturated greens.

Jim Martin · 2025-07-06T20:47:52-0400

Glad you figured it out!
If you enjoy pushing a photo to the limits and making it as "perfect" as possible, RAW has its advantages. RAW files hold a lot more information that the sensor recorded. You can use that data to adjust the photo way beyond anything that can be done with a jpeg. It doesn't mean you need to shot RAW, it's just good to know what RAW can do.