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DNG - Digital Negative Image File

What is a DNG file

The DNG file format is the universal RAW image format for saving digital photos in an uncompressed format. It was developed by Adobe Systems as a RAW image archival format and is supported by many image viewing and photo editing programs.

Files with the DNG extension are structured according to TIFF/EP standards. Various formats of metadata are supported by DNG as well. Raw image data as well as image formats not in a raw state are supported by the DNG file, resulting in the occurrence of "linear DNGs" together with the raw version. Even a linear DNG is still able to handle changes made by raw converters, such as color profile, HDR, compositing, white balance, and the like. All programs and applications that support raw DNG files also support the linear type, but not vice versa.

Here's a small, but not exhaustive list of programs that can open DNG documents:

  • ACD Systems Canvas
  • ACD Systems ACDSee
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe Photoshop Elements
  • Adobe Photoshop Lightroom
  • Apple Aperture
  • Apple Preview
  • Apple iPhoto
  • CyberLink PhotoDirector
  • File Viewer Lite
  • Google Picasa
  • MacPhun ColorStrokes
  • Microsoft Windows Photos
  • Serif PhotoPlus