A DNG file is a type of raw file format used in digital photography, developed on the TIFF 6.0 format. It is an open, lossless raw image format developed by Adobe and used for digital photography. DNG files store uncompressed image data on your camera, ready for post-processing in a variety of image editing software programs. The files themselves are slightly smaller than other RAW file types, saving room in storage and time in transferring to your hard drive. DNG files are generally thought of as a lossless format but there is an option to use compression to dramatically cut the file to about a third of its normal heft. The algorithm is based on JPEG compression but with some critical adjustments to improve the result when compared to creating a JPEG file with a similar size. DNG is based on the TIFF/EP standard format, and mandates significant use of metadata. This extensive metadata allows photographers to better organize, search, and manage their images, as well as providing valuable information for editing and post-processing. The primary purpose of the DNG format is to store the unprocessed, RAW image data captured by the camera sensor. In addition to the RAW image data, DNG files can also store processed image data, such as a JPEG preview or a losslessly-compressed version of the RAW data. By storing the RAW image data in a standardized format, the DNG format allows photographers to preserve the highest possible image quality and make adjustments to factors such as exposure, white balance, and color profile without degrading the image.