RAW files are the raw sensor data. That is, one 12 bit number per pixel, where each pixel only has red, green or blue info, according to the Bayer pattern of the sensor.
Tiff files are RGB. So even if they are "8 bit", they are in fact 24 bits per pixel. j On 3/30/06, Shel Belinkoff <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > This has been on my mind for a while. > > A TIFF made from a DSLR exposure is generally (always?) 8-bits. It's been > adjusted in the camera and has been described as just a huge JPEG as far as > results go. Camera generated TIFFs are huge. The TIFF generated by my > 4mpx Sony is 11+ mbs. > > RAW files are 12-bit, sometimes 14-bit, are supposed to contain ~all the > captured data," often include a JPEG, as well as a bunch of metadata and > EXIF information. The RAW file generated by the 6+ mpx Pentax istDS is > generally about 10+ mbs. If the included JPEG is disappeared when the file > is run through the DNG converter, the resulting RAW file is about 5 mbs. > > So, how is it that RAW files are smaller than TIFF files. This is doubly > puzzling because it's been said that the Pentax RAW files are based on the > TIFF format. > > > Shel > > > > -- Juan Buhler Water Molotov: http://photoblog.jbuhler.com Slippery Slope: http://color.jbuhler.com
