DNG (digital negative)
Also known as: digital negative, .dng file, Adobe DNG
DNG (Digital Negative) is an open raw image format created by Adobe. Like other raw files, it stores the unprocessed sensor data from a camera for maximum editing flexibility — and like all raw files, it takes far more storage than a JPEG or HEIC.
- Open raw format created by Adobe
- iPhone ProRAW photos are saved as DNG
- Much larger than JPEG or HEIC
Why DNG files are large
A DNG keeps the full data captured by the camera sensor instead of compressing it into a finished photo. That gives editors enormous latitude to recover highlights, shadows, and color — but it also means a single DNG can be many times the size of the JPEG or HEIC version of the same shot.
On iPhone, ProRAW photos are saved as DNG files, which is why turning on ProRAW makes your camera roll fill up much faster than standard photos.
When to keep DNG vs convert
Keep DNGs for photos you plan to edit seriously — the extra data is the point. For shots you have already finished editing or just want to keep, exporting a JPEG or HEIC and deleting the raw can reclaim a large amount of space.
Because DNG is an open, well-documented format, most photo editors can open it directly, unlike some camera-specific raw formats.