NEF file format
| Extension | .nef |
| Category | images |
| Programs | Adobe Photoshop Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Paint Shop Pro Picasa digiKam |
| Description | .nef (Nikon Electronic Format) The .nef format is Nikon's RAW file format used in Nikon digital cameras. RAW files are essentially the digital negatives, containing unprocessed data straight from the camera's sensor. NEF files allow for extensive post-processing flexibility, as they capture a greater range of colors and tones compared to compressed formats like JPEG. Photographers prefer RAW formats like NEF for high-quality image editing, as they provide more control over aspects such as exposure, white balance, and color. |
| Technical details | The `.nef` format, Nikon's raw image format, captures sensor data in high quality with minimal processing. NEF files have a higher bit depth (12-bit or 14-bit) compared to 8-bit JPEGs, allowing for more control over post-processing, especially in terms of exposure and color adjustments. These files are larger than JPEGs due to the additional detail they capture and are typically edited using Nikon's software, though they are compatible with a variety of third-party editors. Compatibility with software may vary across different Nikon camera models. NEF files contain extensive metadata and offer different compression options, including uncompressed for maximum quality, lossless for smaller file sizes without sacrificing quality, and lossy for the smallest file size with some reduction in quality. They usually include embedded JPEG thumbnails for easy previewing. One of the key advantages of NEF is its flexibility and high-quality editing capabilities, making it a common choice for photographers who want to preserve raw data for potential future editing. Due to their size and specific processing requirements, NEF files are less commonly used for general sharing and are often converted to formats like JPEG or TIFF for broader distribution. |
| MIME type | image/NEF |