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Is anything lost when you export from (Canon) RAW files to TIFF?

For context: I backup and archive my RAW files, and keep a separate (Aperture) library for exported JPEGs. So far my workflow has been in Aperture (edit the RAW, export to JPEG), and that's fine.

However, I really like what the DxO Optics Pro software does (where it improves sharpness, distortions and CAs on a lens by lens basis), but obviously you can't export a RAW file into Aperture. It needs to work on the RAW, so it's adding a step to the process, as it doesn't have the library or editing features of Aperture

I tried the DNG format, but get files sizes over 150MB! (Compared to 25MB RAWs)

It seems that TIFF is the best option, but will I loose things such as the ability to bump the exposure 2 or 3 stops? (More applicable to highlights/shadows, but I assume that's the same principle.)

Are there any other more subtle things I would loose for editing?

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  • \$\begingroup\$ DNG file size shouldn't differ much from RAW file. Read this paper: Raw as Archival Still Image Format: A Consideration. The author is talking about the advantages and disadvantages of using DNG as an archival format \$\endgroup\$
    – K''
    Commented Jun 5, 2012 at 14:22
  • \$\begingroup\$ My results when I export from DxO are much bigger in DNG, at least 5 times bigger than the original file. I'm not commenting on the format per-se, but what DxO exports in that format. \$\endgroup\$
    – AlastairC
    Commented Jun 5, 2012 at 15:24
  • \$\begingroup\$ @Akram DXO is probably exporting a 16bit three-colour-per-pixel DNG with no compression, which will be about four times the size of a 12bit one-sample-per-pixel RAW file. With RAW compression a five fold increase is possible. TIFF allows lossless compression which should result in smaller files. \$\endgroup\$
    – Matt Grum
    Commented Jun 5, 2012 at 15:50

3 Answers 3

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Provided the TIFF is 16 bits then you wont lose much editing latitude compared to the RAW file. What you want to do in DxO pro is develop the RAW for further editing, by reducing contrast to ensure that neither highlights or shadows are clipped. If you do it right the image should look really dull. Don't worry though - you'll be viewing the image on an 8bit device, there will be plenty of detail there to be developed when you finally process the image in lightroom.

You want to also aim for a neutral colour balance in DxO to avoid clipping any colour channels, giving yourself the maximum tonal range possible. Obviously having DxO sharpen you images will limit your editing options with regards to sharpening / noise reduction.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Thanks, that sounds like good advice, I probably up the colours/contrast too soon, I'll leave that until after DxO. \$\endgroup\$
    – AlastairC
    Commented Jun 5, 2012 at 15:26
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    \$\begingroup\$ It would be useful for the phantom downvoter to explain their vote. \$\endgroup\$
    – Russell McMahon
    Commented Jun 7, 2012 at 4:09
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    \$\begingroup\$ Would you be so kind as to elaborate on what exactly is lost when converting from RAW to TIFF? I have the same question as the title, but your answer doesn't really go into the loss, but more into the specific problem the OP has. I feel that asking a separate question would not be desirable. \$\endgroup\$
    – Saaru Lindestøkke
    Commented Apr 22, 2013 at 7:43
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By exporting to TIFF (and any other format using RGB pixels) you lose the ability to use different demosaicing algorithms. Demosaicing influences noise reduction, picture sharpness and false color (moire) reduction.

The future color and exposure manipulation is not affected (assuming sufficient bit depth - 16 bit TIFF).

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I know this is very late answer to the question but TIFF is NOT RAW and it won't be rendered like you'd expect from actual RAW files. TIFF doesn't behave like RAW.

Proof: open RAW file in ACR. Increase 3 stops in Exposure (EV).

default image

Open it as 16-bit and export it (save it) as a 16-bit TIFF.

Image shown as a result of 3 stops

After the file's been saved as TIFF, open the TIFF file and select Filter/Camera RAW Filter... which opens the ACR module and displays the TIFF file.

Try to recover +3 stops and you'll quickly see that it's not possible to recover details as you'd see with the original RAW. I suspect TIFF does not carry any information that RAW editors need to know to make complex adjustments, it merely holds bits that was already baked after you're done exporting from RAW editor.

loss of RAW tonality

It's been 20 years and it's evident that there is no danger of losing support for RAW files (I cannot recall any popular RAW formats that have been deprecated) and there are clear benefits to leaving them alone. For example, with DxO RAW, it requires the original RAW in order to remove noise efficiently. You cannot do that with DNG that has been exported from the original source.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Nice addition to an older question. Could you perhaps include a few example images demonstrating the loss of details you talk about? I feel that would make your answer more helpful for the reader. \$\endgroup\$
    – Saaru Lindestøkke
    Commented Mar 22, 2023 at 19:21
  • \$\begingroup\$ Sure, I'll edit my post and include screenshots. \$\endgroup\$
    – netrox
    Commented Mar 27, 2023 at 0:22
  • \$\begingroup\$ that's a trivial observation. if you throw data away by clipping the channels, that data won't magically return. the accepted answer is careful to point out that you must not clip data when exporting to tiff. a raw file which is so overexposed that channels are clipped will behave the same. \$\endgroup\$
    – ths
    Commented Mar 27, 2023 at 8:12
  • \$\begingroup\$ @ths what's trivial to people differs, so I think (especially with the screenshots) it's a helpful addition to the existing answers and quickly demonstrates that exporting to TIFF (even if it's 16-bit) does lose editing possibilities compared to the RAW file. \$\endgroup\$
    – Saaru Lindestøkke
    Commented Mar 27, 2023 at 8:29

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