RAW image advantages?

In an effort to limit noise I am planning on using a RAW file in PhotoPerfect. I have a Cannon SX10is and am planning on using CKDK software to extract the RAW image file (CHDK in Brief - CHDK Wiki).

Will PhotoPerfect import this file?
If so, will this accomplish my goal of less noise?
Will I see better image results than using the cameras normal JPG file?

Hi,

PhotoPerfect (PP) uses dcraw to extract RAW files. While your camera is not on the support list, it is highly probable that it is supported though, as both Canon PowerShot SX1 IS and Canon PowerShot SX110 IS (CHDK hack) are officially supported as well. Besides, as PP is available as a full functional trial version for up to 4 weeks on our download page, please feel free to give it a try on your RAW files.

Regarding your goal of less noise, in general you should achieve better results than using the normal JPEG - of course if the right parameters are applied :-) In this case pictures with much more details could also be achieved as well. How well ... hmmm it depends, but as always, practice makes perfect ;-)

Cheers

Hoang-Tran

The RAW image format is perhaps one of the best ways to edit and see up front just how good your picture will come out. Most cameras take pictures in the RAW format even though you can change this setting. The difference lies in the fact that while other formats are fully processed by the camera, the RAW format remains undeveloped until you are ready to develop it.

Each digital camera that offers the RAW format has its own type of RAW file. No two cameras will produce the same RAW format. They contain pixel data, usually 12 to 14 bits per sensor. The sensor uses a Bayer filter, consisting of reds, blues and greens in alternating rows. Since the human eye is more perceptive to the color green, greens alternate more frequently than the reds or blues. It also acts as the buffer for black and white conversion and overall luminance. Once you are ready to "develop" the picture, it is demosaicized and then is ready to be transfered to and edited on a computer.

What does it do?

Overall, the RAW file itself contains more data than its developed counterpart. The RAW file itself will be higher quality, because nothing is set in stone. Once developed, the parameters are set, and each pixel's color is fixed. While in the RAW format, these reds, blues and greens will mix for more subtle color changes along the spectrum and the overall result will be brighter and more intense than when developed. Corrections, manipulations and other fixes can be achieved easier in the RAW format than on the computer. This allows for less image artifacts than editing after the fact.

Since most digital cameras come with the ability to process in the RAW format, this gives the photographer the unique ability to change certain aspects of the picture before it is developed. White balance, saturation, sharpness and contrast can all be tweaked with on the camera itself rather than spending time transferring to the computer only to find out that the picture really cannot be edited in those ways without producing artifacts.

thanks

Hi,

The advantage of RAW image format is perhaps one of the best ways to edit and see up front just how good your picture will come out. Most cameras take pictures in the RAW format even though you can change this setting. The difference lies in the fact that while other formats are fully processed by the camera, the RAW format remains undeveloped until you are ready to develop it.

Thanks,