How to Edit RAW Photos Online

What Is a RAW Photo and Why Edit One?

A RAW photo is the unprocessed data captured directly by your camera's sensor. Unlike JPEG, which compresses and bakes in color settings at capture, RAW preserves every bit of light information. This means you can recover blown-out highlights, pull detail from shadows, and adjust white balance after the fact without quality loss. The trade-off is that RAW files are larger (20-80MB each) and require processing before sharing. Traditionally this meant desktop software like Lightroom or Capture One. Online tools now handle RAW conversion and editing without installing anything.

Common RAW Formats by Camera Brand

• Canon: CR2 and CR3 files from EOS and PowerShot cameras
• Nikon: NEF files from Z and D series cameras
• Sony: ARW files from Alpha mirrorless cameras
• Fujifilm: RAF files from X and GFX series cameras
• Adobe: DNG (Digital Negative), the universal RAW format
• Panasonic: RW2 files from Lumix cameras
• Olympus/OM System: ORF files from OM-D and PEN cameras

Online RAW Editing vs Desktop Software

Desktop RAW editors like Lightroom and Capture One offer granular control over every parameter: tone curves, split toning, lens correction profiles, and catalog management. They're built for photographers who process hundreds of images per session. Online RAW editing makes sense when you need to quickly fix one or two photos without access to your main computer, when you're on a Chromebook or tablet that can't run desktop software, or when you just need basic corrections and don't want a subscription to Adobe. EditThisPic bridges the gap by using AI to handle the technical parts. Instead of manually adjusting sliders, you describe what you want: 'fix the exposure and make the colors warmer' or 'sharpen the details and reduce noise.'

Most Common RAW Photo Edits

The edits people make most often on RAW files fall into a few categories. Exposure correction is the most common, recovering detail in photos that are too dark or too bright. White balance adjustment fixes color casts from mixed lighting or incorrect camera settings. Noise reduction cleans up grain from high-ISO shots in low light. Sharpening brings out fine detail that RAW files intentionally leave soft. And color grading sets the overall mood, whether that's warm golden tones for portraits or cool blues for landscapes. All of these can be described in plain language with EditThisPic rather than hunting through menus and sliders.

Handling Large RAW Files Online

RAW files are significantly larger than JPEGs, typically 20-80MB depending on your camera's sensor resolution. When uploading RAW files to an online editor, a stable internet connection matters more than speed. Most online tools, including EditThisPic, convert the RAW data server-side and return an optimized result. If your RAW file exceeds upload limits, convert it to DNG first using Adobe's free DNG Converter, which often reduces file size by 15-20% without losing any data. Another option is to export a high-quality TIFF from your camera's companion app and upload that instead.

Best Export Formats After RAW Editing

After editing your RAW photo, you need to export it in a shareable format. JPEG is the universal choice for social media, email, and web use. PNG preserves transparency if you removed the background. WebP offers smaller file sizes than JPEG at the same quality, ideal for websites. For prints, export as TIFF or high-quality JPEG at the highest resolution. EditThisPic exports edited images as high-quality files ready for any of these uses.