Nikon NEF Raw File Compression Quality Tests

NOTE: Video compression may significantly affect your ability to see these differences well enough! For the full written article that includes high-quality sample crop images, visit: http://www.slrlounge.com/nikon-raw-ne... Have any of you Nikon shooters ever been curious about the NEF raw file options? There's a lot of them: 14-bit, 12-bit, uncompressed, lossless compressed, and compressed. Even some of the beginner Nikon cameras allow you to decide between 14-bit and 12-bit! How do you know which settings to choose? Should you just leave it at the default or the maximum quality option? Maybe not, as you'll discover in this video. If you shoot anything that is extremely high volume and/or fast-action, you may want to strongly consider setting up one of the user modes on your camera to 12-bit compressed NEF. Or, if you shoot extremely high-end, low volume work in a studio and want maximum image quality, you probably ought to set up your camera to shoot 14-bit uncompressed or lossless NEF. Be sure to check out our main website for additional camera tests and full reviews! http://www.slrlounge.com