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In the DJI GO 4 app, in the Camera Settings menu, there are three image format options: JPEG, RAW, and JPEG + RAW. The question most users ask themselves is which of the formats to choose and what is the difference between them?
In this article we will look at the pros and cons of shooting JPEG and RAW.
The difference between light and dark tones when shooting JPEG vs. RAW.
The photo below was taken with the Zenmuse X5S in JPEG and RAW format. The sun is a bit overexposed, while the foreground is underexposed. Adjusting the tones in each of the two formats gives us a clearer idea of how JPEG and RAW differ from each other.
The main problem with JPEG images is that they are compressed and information is lost, so you don't have the same control over how they look when edited. Check out the edited JPEG image below. When the shadows and highlights are reduced, the trees in the foreground look a bit unnatural and the sun still looks overexposed.
Since there is no compressed information in RAW files, these files retain more detail than JPEG files. After the same tone, the RAW image looks more attractive and natural.
White balance
With RAW images, you can easily fix white balance issues. Depending on the type of light you shoot and the white balance settings, you can get different colors: a tint that gives the image unwanted coloring. The photo below was taken with the Phantom 4 Pro drone in JPEG format and RAW.
After adjusting the color temperature and tones of the JPEG format, the image still doesn't look very good.
Since RAW files contain unprocessed grayscale data, even setting the white balance incorrectly during shooting will be lucky. Shooting in RAW makes it easy to adjust without reducing image quality.
View files
Although the RAW image format allows for easy handling during editing, this does not mean that this format is great in every situation. Photos taken in RAW format cannot be reproduced without special imaging software such as Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom from a computer or mobile device. While JPEG images can be viewed without the use of specialized software. When you shoot RAW with a DJI product, you'll get a low-resolution JPEG image in the DJI GO app so you can review what you did, even if you did NOT select RAW + JPEG. However, you will not be able to view the RAW image without a computer.
File size
When deciding between JPEG and RAW, it's a good idea to consider the image size, since RAW files are at least five times the size of JPEG files. The example below shows the sizes of photos taken with the Phantom 4 Pro, in which in RAW format, an image occupies about 34000KB, while in JPEG format it needs about 7000KB of memory.
Timed Shots
Also, because RAW files are larger, they take longer to process and save to the SD card. It takes some time to take a self-timer photo. The following screenshots are taken from the Mavic Pro.
Note that the shortest capture time is 2 seconds for JPEG images and 10 seconds for RAW images.
Which of the two forms is more appropriate?
It all depends on your personal preference. The truth is that the JPEG format saves you time in image processing and gives you more time for photos. When shooting in RAW format, you get more data from the camera sensor and more options when processing the image. The choice is up to you!