---
title: "What is the difference between RAW and JPG scans? Which should I choose? | Neo Analog Lab"
url: https://shop.neoanaloglab.com/en/news/faq-raw-vs-jpg
language: en
description: "JPG is a finished, ready-to-view file; RAW is editing material for people who want to grade the colors themselves. When in doubt, JPG is plenty."
---

# What is the difference between RAW and JPG scans? Which should I choose?

JPG is a finished, ready-to-view file; RAW is editing material for people who want to grade the colors themselves. When in doubt, JPG is plenty.

faq Neo Analog Lab Published July 9, 2026 Updated July 11, 2026

faq scanning

**JPG** files are finished images: we remove the orange mask (for negatives) and grade every frame. They open anywhere and are instantly ready for sharing or printing. For most customers JPG is the right choice.

**RAW** (our scanners output DNG) is the **scanner's raw data with no mask removal and no grading applied**. A color-negative RAW opens as an orange negative image - you invert, remove the mask, and grade it yourself in Lightroom + Negative Lab Pro or similar. Maximum control, but it requires post-processing skills and time, and files are several times larger.

**Not sure?** For everyday shooting, JPG. If you want full control over the final look, RAW+JPG gives you both: browse the roll in JPG, then finish your favorite frames from RAW.

## Sources

- [Negative Lab Pro, a Lightroom plugin for negative conversion](https://www.negativelabpro.com/)

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