A Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) file is a lossy raster file format that compresses an image to make the file smaller. JPEG files are some of the most popular and widely used image formats in the world. Photographers can shoot in JPEG mode, while graphic designers, illustrators, and other creatives can edit their work in them. A RAW file contains all the uncompressed and unprocessed image data captured by the sensors of a digital camera or scanner. They’re also a type of raster file format, but one that maintains lossless quality. RAW files are not images — they’re just large files filled with the image data as it was captured. The main difference between any JPEG and RAW file is its size. RAW files are significantly bigger than JPEG (and any other) image file formats. Going from a RAW file to a JPEG will affect quality because you’re converting to a lossy format. RAW files contain a high amount of detail — converting to a JPEG means compressing the details into a much smaller file size with less space to store image data. Many professional photographers shoot in RAW because the format captures the highest level of detail. It can often be easier to edit exposure later with a RAW file. However, shooting in JPEG has its benefits, since their smaller file sizes allow you to shoot more images at once and transfer files faster.