Those of us who love photography like to say that, whenever possible, we should take pictures. the photos in RAW. The RAW format saves the information in its raw state.This offers editing flexibility and maximum potential quality. While many mobile phones can already shoot photos in this format, there are also some drawbacks. Four specifically These are the ones I find when shooting photos in RAW, and I also add others that are worth knowing if you use it on a smartphone.
1.- The files weigh more
It's obvious. One of the reasons we always say it's better to shoot in RAW is because We capture more information per pixelThanks to this, we can later make modifications to the photograph without losing quality. But it's logical that a photo with more information is a larger photo, taking up more space. If this photo is taking up more space in our memory, we're losing available space.
If we also have a mobile phone that doesn't offer us the possibility of expand memory using a microSD card, like the Samsung Galaxy S6, for example, this will be a very noticeable problem. Each RAW photo will take up a lot of space on our smartphone.And it's no longer a problem to capture a single photo, but to capture a burst or all the photos in this format.
As a general guideline, a RAW/DNG file on a mobile device can be several times larger than its equivalent JPEG. This difference has an impact on internal storage, copy time, and upload speed to the cloud. If you take a lot of photos, storage space becomes a real bottleneck.
A practical tip: enable a cleaning workflow with Periodic download to the computer or to an SSDAnd remove duplicates, blurry images, or tests before backing up. The less unnecessary volume, the more sustainable it will be to shoot in RAW.
2.- You have to process the data
RAW files are, in reality, raw photographs; They require development to achieve their final appearance.That's why capturing photos in RAW doesn't make sense if we're not going to process them afterward. There are already ways to do this. apps to process this type of file on mobile phones and tablets, but for that you need to have knowledge and timeFurthermore, we won't have the same possibilities for editing a photo on our mobile phone as we would on our computer.
Unlike a JPEG, where the camera decides saturation, sharpness, or noise reduction, in RAW you decide. That's power, but also work. To mitigate this, it helps to do a preliminary selection (culling) and edit only the valid photos. Another strategy is Shoot RAW+JPEG: share instantly with the JPEG and save the RAW for later, more relaxed editing.
An important technical detail: many camera RAW files work with 12 or 14 bits per channelproviding a much wider tonal range than 8-bit JPEG. On mobile devices, DNG retains this flexibility, but processing is still essential to achieve a polished result.
3.- We lose immediacy
Therefore, we are losing immediacy, and in many cases what we want is precisely that. Capture and share quicklyWhether on social media or messaging apps, RAW files pose a problem. Of course, we can capture RAW+JPEG, but this will take up even more space.
The only thing we can do is learn how to process photographs, and process them with the software available for mobile phones. Of course, this isn't simple, nor is it easy for someone who's just starting out in photography. Yes, it will be an option for an advanced enthusiast. This is for someone who already knows programs like Lightroom or has knowledge of photo processing, but not for someone who simply wants to shoot in RAW because it's an option offered by their mobile phone.
In addition, there is an impact on performance: writing large files It delays the preview, can reduce the shooting rate, and, in long sessions, can heat up the device and drain the battery faster. If you need speed and consistency, JPEG or HEIF are better.
4.- The Cloud
One last negative aspect we encountered is the Cloud. Someone might think that it's not a problem even though our phone can't store photos on an external microSD card because we have “unlimited” space on popular services for uploading our photos. However, that's not the case. That "unlimited" usually implies compression and reduction quality.
When we configure the backup, there is usually a choice between Save in original quality (uses quota) or in compressed quality (saves space, loses information). Logically, if we're capturing photos in RAW, it's because we want the photo quality to be as high as possible. And this isn't compatible with uploading photos to the cloud in compressed modes, where almost all services reduce quality from the file.
Practical alternatives: support in original quality (if your quota allows), or export JPEG/HEIF delivery and saves DNG files only to local/external storage. You can also perform a selective sync RAW only when you have WiFi.
5. Compatibility and proprietary formats
Another significant drawback: RAW is not a single standard. Each manufacturer can use its own file type (.CR2, .NEF, .ARW, among others), and Not all viewers or apps open all RAW files. immediately. On mobile, it is usually used DNG (Digital Negative), an open container that improves interoperability, although it is always advisable to keep the development software up to date.
Why does it matter? Because compatibility affects your workflow. If you switch applications or devices, You will need support for your format. and, sometimes, prior conversion to DNG to guarantee future access.
6. Burst, buffer and performance on mobile
In action photography, RAW is a disadvantage. The larger file size causes the write queue to fill up faster. the buffer takes longer to empty and the burst is interrupted or its rate is reduced. On phones, this latency is more pronounced than on dedicated cameras, which limits continuous capture of sports or dynamic urban life.
Practical tip: In fast-paced scenes, select JPEG/HEIF or use RAW+JPEG only for key momentsChoose fast memory cards and storage, and avoid overloading memory with background apps to gain stability.
7. Computational photography and “hybrid” RAW
Modern mobile photography relies on computer processing (multiframe HDR, fusion noise reduction, detail enhancement, intelligent white balance, etc.). When shooting in pure RAW, some of these features disappear. Some manufacturers offer "hybrid" formats based on DNG that retain the linearity and elasticity from a RAW file, but they include previous processes such as demosaicing or noise reduction. They are not strictly raw data, although they expand the editing possibilities compared to JPEG.
What does this mean? It means that there are scenes where computational JPEG/HEIF can give a cleaner, more direct result, while RAW will allow you to fine-tune exposure, color, and highlights/shadows According to your taste. It's helpful to know the scene and how your phone behaves in order to choose.
8. When you should NOT shoot in RAW
- When you're going to take a lot of photos. If you anticipate hundreds of shots, the volume and processing time will skyrocket. In extended sessions, prioritize JPEG/HEIF and reserve RAW for critical moments.
- When you need to share immediately. Shipments to customers, friends, or social networks request speedIf you rely on pre-processing, you'll be too late. Dual RAW+JPEG mode only pays off if you then delete the unnecessary RAW files.
- If you already accumulate unprocessed RAW. Avoid adding unnecessary bulk to your "Raw" folder. Developing is part of the photography process. shooting is not the end of the processProcess them, and until then, use direct formats.
9. Good practices to mitigate the problems
- Plan by scene. Complex lighting: RAW or hybrid. Easy lighting and urgent situations: JPEG/HEIF.
- RAW+JPEG with discretion. Activate it only at key moments to avoid tripling the space.
- Presets and batch editing. Use consistent presets and synchronize settings to speed up.
- Strict selection. Mark and edit only the best ones; delete the redundant ones before copying.
- Smart backup. Originals on local/external; derivatives in the cloud for sharing.
It is also useful to master the white balance in development, the highlight recovery without “veiling” the image and control of noise At high ISOs. That's where RAW makes the difference if you know what to adjust.
10. RAW, JPEG or HEIF on mobile?
- JPEGEfficiency and universality. Perfect for sharing and when you're satisfied with the direct result. You lose editing flexibility, and each save adds compression.
- HEIF / HEICBetter compression at the same quality and advanced features (depth, 10/16 bits in some streams). More modern, but may require conversion for certain destinations.
- RAW/DNGMaximum control and latitude. Larger size, more development work, and fewer built-in computer aids. Useful for challenging scenes, creative editing, and demanding final prints.
A winning combination on mobile is RAW/DNG when quality matters y JPEG/HEIF for everything elseIf your camera offers a "computational" RAW format, try it: sometimes it speeds up the workflow without sacrificing too much flexibility.
The reality is that RAW on mobile is a powerful feature that clashes with limitations in storage, compatibility, burst shooting, and immediacy. Use it wisely It will allow you to take advantage of its benefits without falling into its most common traps.
