RAW to PNG Converter

Unlike other file formats and extensions, the term RAW is not an acronym or an initialization. Instead, it means exactly what it says. A RAW file is an unprocessed image with all of its original information intact, as captured by the camera’s sensor. Information can include the conditions that were present when the picture was taken, as well as descriptive text. Both open-source and proprietary RAW file types currently exist.

How to open a RAW file?

The best way to open a RAW file is to use the software the camera manufacturer developed specifically for that purpose. Determining the manufacturer is easy because they assign their own extension to RAW files taken using one of their cameras. For example, Canon (CR2), Nikon (NEF), Sony (SR2), Epson (ERF), Kodak (KDC), Panasonic (RW2), and others. 

Alternatively, you may use a universal image viewer, such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, or Zoner Photo Studio (an alternative to Adobe products). After post-processing (editing) RAW files are usually converted to a JPEG (RAW to JPG), PNG, TIFF, or BMP file type. To open RAW on Microsoft Windows or macOS, use the options described above. For Linux/Unix, you can use darktable. For a multi-platform viewer, try XnView MP.

Developed by: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

Initial Release: 2001

Useful links:

https://whatis.techtarget.com/fileformat/RAW-Raw-File-Format-bitmap

Portable Network Graphics (PNG) is a raster-based file type that compresses images for portability. PNG images can have RGB or RGBA colors and support transparency, which makes them perfect for use in icons, or graphic designs. PNG also supports animations with better transparency (try our GIF to APNG). The benefits of using PNG are Plus, PNG is an open format that uses lossless compression. 

How to open a PNG file?

Generally, PNG files will open in your operating system’s default image viewer. PNG files are also easily viewable on all web browsers. If you are having trouble opening PNG files, use our PNG to JPG, PNG to WebP, or PNG to BMP converters.

Alternative programs such as GIMP or Adobe Photoshop are useful for opening and editing PNG files. PNG files are a bit larger than other file types, so exercise caution when adding them to a web page. One interesting feature of PNG files is the ability to create transparency in the image, particularly a transparent background. 

Developed by: PNG Development Group

Initial Release: 1 October 1996

Useful links: 

LifeWire article on PNGs

Wiki article on PNGs

Related PNG Tools: 

Use our Color Picker to pick colors from images