Can you convert Canon RAW files to mRAW or sRAW after shooting?
Asked 1/13/2014
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Some Canon cameras offer RAW, mRAW, and sRAW. The smaller mRAW/sRAW options reduce resolution and file size while trying to keep some RAW editing flexibility. If you shoot full RAW, can you later convert selected files to mRAW or sRAW to save space? Is there software that does this?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
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It's theoretically possible to do so but I doubt any software implements this currently.
Why?
mRAW and sRAW are both ways to compress images that attempt to preserve as much if the editing latitude as possible. If you've decided a group of images aren't worth preserving in RAW but you have processed them then JPEG is a much better space saving strategy preserving both resolution and image quality (but not editing latitude).
The desire to convert to m/sRAW at a later date just doesn't make sense to me: you've decided that a set of images are not worth preserving at RAW filesizes & printing at high resolution, but you want to preserve the ability to change your mind about white balance at a later date. If you think you might reprocess images to make them better then it seems worth investing in small increase in storage space to keep the original RAWs.
Originally by user1375. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1375
12y ago
0
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In theory, something like this could be done, but based on the provided answers there isn’t commonly available software that converts a full Canon RAW file into Canon mRAW or sRAW after capture.
mRAW and sRAW are camera-generated reduced-resolution RAW-like formats. They’re intended as a capture-time choice rather than a post-processing archive format.
If your goal is to save space after reviewing your images, the more practical approach is usually:
- keep the original RAW files for shots you may want to re-edit fully
- export finished images as JPEG if you no longer need full RAW flexibility
That’s because once you’ve decided certain photos don’t need full-resolution RAW storage, JPEG is generally a more sensible space-saving format while preserving image quality for normal use. What it does not preserve is the same RAW editing latitude.
So the short answer is: generally no, not as a standard workflow, and JPEG is usually the better post-shoot space-saving option.
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