How to Pick the Right Apple ProRAW Format for Your Photos

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If you’re using an iPhone with ProRAW enabled, you might notice there are different options for JPEG settings. These options control how the embedded preview image and RAW data are compressed inside the ProRAW file. Choosing the right one can help you balance file size, compatibility, and editing quality.

First, it’s good to understand what ProRAW is. It’s Apple’s format that combines a full 12- or 16-bit sensor readout—similar to traditional RAW files—with Apple’s computational photography technology. This gives you much more flexibility to adjust exposure, white balance, and colors later, making it ideal for editing. The file is saved as a .dng format, which many photo editing programs can open.

Now, let’s explore the three JPEG options you can choose from:

JPEG Lossless:
This uses an older but reliable compression method that preserves every bit of data. It compresses the embedded preview image and RAW data without losing any detail. As a result, files stay large but maintain perfect fidelity. It’s the most compatible option but doesn’t take advantage of newer compression technologies, so file sizes are bigger.

JPEG‑XL Lossless:
This is a newer, more efficient lossless compression. It compresses the embedded image and RAW data without any loss of quality, but the files are smaller than with JPEG Lossless. JPEG XL supports wide colors and HDR, making it a good modern option for archiving and editing. It’s designed to replace older formats for preserving high-quality images.

JPEG‑XL Lossy:
This option sacrifices a tiny bit of detail for much smaller file sizes. It applies high-quality lossy compression, which discards some nonessential information but does so in a way that’s usually invisible to the human eye. This means you get smaller files with nearly the same quality, but extreme edits or heavy cropping might reveal compression artifacts. It’s great for saving space while maintaining most of the detail and dynamic range.

In summary, your choice depends on what’s most important for your workflow. Lossless options (JPEG Lossless or JPEG‑XL Lossless) give you the best quality for editing but result in larger files. The lossy JPEG‑XL option reduces file size significantly but may slightly limit your editing flexibility.

To get the best results, consider how much editing you plan to do. If you want maximum flexibility and quality, go with JPEG‑XL Lossless. If storage is a concern and you don’t mind slightly less detail, JPEG‑XL Lossy is a good pick. And if broad compatibility is your priority, stick with JPEG Lossless.

Remember, these settings give you control over how your ProRAW files are stored, allowing you to find the perfect balance between quality, size, and workflow needs.