Camera RAW conversion
Convert RAW to AVIF
Updated Jul 2026
RAW is the unprocessed file straight off your camera's sensor, and AVIF is a modern, heavily compressed format built for the web. To convert, open the RAW file in a converter, choose AVIF as the output, and export. Doing this on your own computer means the original, and any embedded location data, never leaves your machine.
- Extension
- .raw
- Type
- Camera RAW
- Typically
- Various cameras
- Metadata
- Carries EXIF
- Extension
- .avif
- Type
- Images
- Typically
- Next-gen web images
- Compression
- Lossy
- Transparency
- Supported
Convert RAW to AVIF on your own computer. Nothing uploads.
How to convert RAW to AVIF
- Open Morphjet and drag in the RAW files, or a whole folder of them, straight from your card or camera.
- Choose AVIF as the output format, and pick a quality level if you want a smaller file.
- Convert. The AVIFs are written next to your originals, and nothing leaves your machine.
RAW vs AVIF: what actually changes
| RAW | AVIF | |
|---|---|---|
| File size | Very large, often 20 to 50MB per photo | Much smaller, a fraction of the RAW size |
| Quality | Lossless, all the sensor data | Lossy, compact but very close to lossless visually |
| Opens everywhere | No, needs camera-specific software to view | Growing support, works in modern browsers and apps |
| Editing headroom | Full range, exposure and white balance can be adjusted after the fact | Limited, image is already processed and compressed |
| Transparency | No | Yes |
| Keeps shooting data (EXIF) | Yes, extensive | Depends on the converter, often stripped |
When to convert, and when not to
Convert RAW to AVIF when you want to share, post, or archive photos in a format that's a fraction of the size but still looks sharp, especially for web use or long-term storage where space matters.
Keep the RAW file if you still plan to edit exposure, white balance, or color, since AVIF is already processed and can't be adjusted the way RAW can.
Why not just use an online converter?
RAW files carry the camera's full metadata, including the exact date, time, and often the GPS location where the photo was taken. Run that file through an online converter and this data, plus the RAW itself, lands on someone else's server. Converting on your own computer keeps the photo, and everything embedded in it, on the machine you took it to.
Questions
Does converting RAW to AVIF lose quality?
Yes, a little. RAW is lossless and AVIF compresses the image, though at a reasonable quality setting the difference is hard to spot on screen. If you need to keep every bit of sensor data, keep the RAW.
Will AVIF keep my photo's location and camera data?
It depends on the converter. Some carry over the EXIF data embedded in the RAW, others strip it during export. Check your settings if you want to keep or remove it.
Can I still edit the photo after converting to AVIF?
Not the way you can with RAW. AVIF is already processed and compressed, so exposure and white balance are baked in. Do your editing before converting, and keep the RAW if you might want to redo it later.
Why convert RAW to AVIF instead of JPG?
AVIF is a newer format that stores similar quality in a noticeably smaller file, which matters if you're posting large batches of photos online or archiving a big library. Compatibility is the trade-off, since AVIF support is newer than JPG's.
Can I convert RAW to AVIF without uploading my photos?
Yes. Morphjet converts on your own computer, so RAW files never travel over the internet. You can do it with your wifi off.
Morphjet converts RAW, AVIF, and 1,800+ other formats, all on your machine. Launching this July.