NEF, short for Nikon Electronic Format, is the raw photo format of Nikon cameras. Every Nikon DSLR and Z-series mirrorless camera can record NEF files; some Coolpix compacts use a related format with the .nrw extension.
How NEF works
A NEF file stores the raw sensor readings at 12 or 14 bits per pixel, an embedded JPEG preview, and extensive shooting metadata, including the Picture Control settings that the camera would use to make a JPG. Nikon cameras let you choose between uncompressed, lossless compressed and compressed NEF, and recent models add High Efficiency raw with much smaller files.
What NEF is good at
- Maximum editing latitude for exposure, white balance and colour
- Recovering highlights and shadows that a JPG would lose
- Lossless compressed options that save space without losing data
Where NEF falls short
- Large files, especially from high-resolution Z cameras
- Limited compatibility: phones, browsers, social networks and many apps can’t display NEF
- Needs processing before it looks like a finished photo; the camera’s Picture Control isn’t applied automatically by other software
NEF and other formats
Convert NEF to JPG to share, upload or print Nikon photos without Nikon NX Studio or a raw editor. For the best results with important photos, adjust them in a raw editor first.