Category:	Utilities
Price:	Free
Popularity:	Medium
Version String:	16.2.1 (1767) (16.2.1f1767)
Release Date:	2024-03-27
Architecture:	Intel & AppleSilicon(ARM)
Minimum OS:	macOS 11.0.0
Vendor Name:	Adobe Inc.
Homepage:	helpx.adobe.com

Description:

The Adobe DNG Converter is a free utility that enables you to easily convert camera-specific raw files from more than 700 cameras to the more universal DNG raw format.

Digital Negative was developed to address the lack of an open standard for the proprietary and unique raw files created by each digital camera. DNG allows photographers to archive their raw camera files in a single format for easy cataloging and access in the future. With the format specification freely available, any developer can build software that supports and takes advantage of DNG.

Digital Negative (DNG)

The public archival format for digital camera raw data

Raw file formats are popular in digital photography workflows because they offer greater creative control. However, cameras can use many different raw formats, the specifications for which are not publicly available. This means that not every raw file can be read by a variety of software applications. As a result, the use of these proprietary raw files as a long-term archival solution carries risk and sharing these files across complex workflows is challenging.

DNG_logo_blue
Digital Negative (DNG) is a publicly available archival format for raw files which are generated by various digital cameras. This addresses the lack of an open standard for raw files created by individual camera models and ensures that photographers easily access their files.


Hundreds of software manufacturers such as Apple and Google have developed support for DNG. And respected camera manufacturers such as Leica, Casio, Ricoh, Samsung, and Pentax have introduced cameras that provide direct DNG support. To learn more, see Camera Raw.

# In addition to the Digital Negative Specification, Adobe provides the free Adobe DNG Converter (Windows | Mac OS), which easily translates raw files from many of today's popular cameras. Software developers and manufacturers can download the complete DNG Specification (PDF, 742 KB). DNG is supported by the following software versions: Photoshop CS to Photoshop, Photoshop Elements 3 to Photoshop Elements 12, and all versions of Lightroom.

Key benefits

For photographers:

• DNG format helps promote archival confidence, since digital imaging software solutions will be able to open raw files more easily in the future.
• A single raw processing solution enables a more efficient workflow when handling raw files from multiple camera models and manufacturers.
• A publicly documented and readily available specification can be easily adopted by camera manufacturers and updated to accommodate technology changes.

For hardware and software manufacturers:

• DNG removes a potential barrier to new camera adoption, since raw files from new models will be immediately supported by Photoshop and other applications.
• The DNG format allows R&D savings by reducing the need to develop new formats and by simplifying camera testing.
• A common format allows greater control over the quality of conversions by third-party applications.
• The specification allows the addition of private metadata to DNG files, enabling differentiation.