SRW Format Guide

Available Conversions

About SRW Format

SRW is Samsung's proprietary RAW image format used by Samsung NX series mirrorless cameras. It stores unprocessed sensor data, preserving maximum image quality and editing flexibility. SRW files contain full 14-bit color depth from the camera's APS-C or APS-H sensor, capturing all the information recorded at the moment of exposure. Unlike compressed formats like JPEG, which apply in-camera processing and discard information, SRW files store the complete, unprocessed sensor data along with metadata about camera settings, lens information, and shooting conditions. This gives photographers maximum flexibility for post-processing adjustments to exposure, white balance, color grading, and other parameters without quality loss. SRW files are based on the TIFF specification and typically range from 20 to 30 MB per image depending on the camera's megapixel count and sensor size.

History of SRW

Samsung introduced the SRW format alongside its NX series of mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras, beginning with the Samsung NX10 in 2010. The NX system was Samsung's ambitious entry into the serious photography market, competing against established mirrorless camera lines from Sony, Olympus, and Panasonic. Samsung developed the SRW format as their proprietary RAW implementation based on the TIFF/EP standard, similar to how other camera manufacturers created their own RAW formats (Sony's ARW, Canon's CR2, Nikon's NEF). The format evolved across multiple camera generations, from the original NX10 through the advanced NX1 and NX500 models, which featured 28.2-megapixel BSI CMOS sensors capable of producing exceptionally detailed SRW files. The NX1, released in 2014, was particularly noteworthy for its industry-leading autofocus system and 4K video capability. Despite the technical excellence of their cameras, Samsung discontinued the NX camera line in 2015, exiting the interchangeable-lens camera market. However, SRW files remain important for photographers who used Samsung NX cameras, and major RAW processing software like Adobe Lightroom, Capture One, and RawTherapee continue to support the format. The legacy of Samsung's imaging technology lives on through their smartphone camera innovations and their ISOCELL sensor division.

Key Features and Uses

SRW files store unprocessed, linear sensor data in 14-bit depth, preserving significantly more tonal information than 8-bit JPEG files. The format captures the full dynamic range of Samsung's CMOS sensors, which offered competitive performance with approximately 13 stops of dynamic range in the best models. SRW files include extensive EXIF metadata containing all camera settings: shutter speed, aperture, ISO, focal length, lens identification, focus information, and more. The format supports Samsung's proprietary lens correction data, allowing software to automatically correct for distortion, vignetting, and chromatic aberration specific to the Samsung NX lens mount. SRW stores the Bayer array color filter data, allowing photographers to adjust white balance after capture without penalty, unlike JPEG where white balance is permanently applied. The Samsung NX1's SRW files are particularly valued for their color science and detail rendering from the advanced 28.2MP BSI sensor. SRW files can be processed multiple times with different settings without degradation, unlike repeatedly editing and saving a JPEG which causes cumulative quality loss. The format also preserves the full resolution and detail captured by Samsung's high-quality NX-mount lenses, which were well-regarded for their optical performance.

Common Applications

SRW files are used by photographers who shoot or have shot with Samsung NX series cameras, particularly in genres where image quality and editing flexibility are important. Landscape photographers use SRW to capture the full dynamic range of scenes with bright skies and dark foregrounds, leveraging the 14-bit data for exposure blending and tone mapping. Portrait photographers benefit from SRW's color accuracy and the ability to make precise skin tone adjustments in post-processing. Street photographers who used the compact NX series cameras appreciated the combination of a small mirrorless body with RAW capture capability. The Samsung NX1 was particularly popular among enthusiasts and semi-professional photographers for its combination of speed, resolution, and video capability. SRW files from the NX1's 28.2MP sensor produce prints with exceptional detail and tonal range. Converting SRW to widely supported formats like JPG, PNG, or TIFF is essential for sharing, web publishing, and archival purposes, especially since SRW is a proprietary format from a discontinued camera line. Many photographers convert their SRW archives to DNG (Adobe's universal RAW format) or to high-quality TIFF files for long-term preservation, ensuring continued access to their images regardless of future software support for the SRW format.

Advantages and Disadvantages