Question about RAW and sharpness.

Ross_Curtis

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I hope this isn't a dumb question:

Lets assume you've exposed and set the WB perfectly and there are no adjustments required except for some sharpening.
Would there be any benefit to shooting RAW over jpeg?
 
Except unless you use the camera manufacturers own raw converter, the default output from a RAW and JPEG will be different as programs like Lightroom don't have access to the exact develop settings from the camera manufacturers.

If you want some extra sharpening on the JPEG, you can normally dial that in in camera by changing the picture style to increase sharpness.
 
I'd say yes. Quite simply there's more information available for sharpening in the RAW file than there is in the JPEG also for the same reason if you want to interpolate for printing to a larger size then I would think there are benefits to having the RAW file to work with.
 
YES.

potentially.

A JPEG is your cameras interpretation on how to "develop" that raw file, and will follow many algorithms to do so. By manipulating that raw file yourself, you have the ability to change so much.. including working on small areas of it as a time should you wish.......
 
A jpeg will throw away much of the info in the exposure at the point of conversion. Once it's gone, you can't have it back. A RAW will save everything, giving you maximum flexibility and choice in editing. You can make a jpeg from a RAW. Not the other way around. Unless you are really pushed for time, or are short on memory, it's hard to see why some people argue that a jpeg can be better - as long as you are prepared to make the effort to learn how to get the best from the RAW file.

A parallel argument would perhaps be to say, why bother to learn to use all the functions on your camera? It does a pretty good job on auto. And it does, too. If you are happy with a `pretty good job`, stick to auto and jpeg. If you want to get the best possible end result, learn what your camera can do, and learn how to edit the results properly.
 
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Yes. You have more to work with for your sharpening with a RAW file.
It's a hypothetical question though, and I assume the answer is irrelevant.
 
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