What’s the difference between sRGB and Adobe RGB, and which should I use when shooting RAW?
Asked 5/30/2011
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2 answers
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My Canon 60D lets me choose between sRGB and Adobe RGB. What is the practical difference between these color spaces, and does the setting matter if I’m shooting RAW? Which option is usually best?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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sRGB is the most common color-space used anywhere.
AdobeRGB is a wider color-space which can represent more colors but with less precision when looking at the colors which overlap sRGB.
Neither color-space really matters when shooting RAW.
The embedded thumbnail or preview within a RAW file may be affected by the choice of color-space though, so keeping sRGB selected is usually the most sensible thing to do.
Originally by user1620. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1620
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
sRGB and Adobe RGB are color spaces: they define how RGB values map to real colors. Adobe RGB has a wider gamut, especially in some greens, while sRGB is smaller but is the most widely supported standard for screens, web use, and many labs.
If you’re shooting RAW, this setting usually does not affect the actual RAW sensor data. The color space is chosen later when the RAW file is processed. However, the camera’s embedded preview/thumbnail and some in-camera displays may use the selected color space.
So for RAW shooters, the practical advice is usually:
- Use sRGB unless you have a fully color-managed workflow.
- Consider Adobe RGB only if you specifically edit and output in a managed workflow and your printer/output supports it.
In short: for RAW capture, the setting mostly doesn’t matter for the file itself, and sRGB is generally the safest, simplest choice.
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