Simple question regarding in-camera processing

[AUZambo]

when you adjust the camera settings for sharpness, noise reduction, etc., does that affect RAW files, or is it only for JPEGs??

 

[Pugs]

The in-camera processing only affects the JPEG.

 

[AUZambo]

That's what I thought. Thanks.

 

[JButler]

The only thing that affects the raw is shutter, aperture, and ISO.

 

[Dwig]

when you adjust the camera settings for sharpness, noise reduction, etc., does that affect RAW files, or is it only for JPEGs??

As far as the image data is concerned, the camera settings only affect the JPEGs or TIFFs if the camera has that option. There do not affect the RAW image data.

That said, they do affect the RAW file to a degree. Most cameras will record the camera settings in the header, specifically the EXIF data block, of the RAW file. If you process the RAW file in software supplied by the camera manufacturer, these camera settings might be used by the RAW software as the initial settings for the conversion instead of some global defaults. This happens with Nikon's software and some others. The result is that your first view of the RAW file in the conversion software is influenced to a large degree by the camera settings. You don't have to stick with these settings, of course, they are just the initial values.

 

[Overread]

Also each RAW file has a JPEG embedded into it and this JPEG is what programs like window image viewer will display when you open the RAW image in them. It's also the image that is displayed on the back of the camera when your shoot (and I think it might be used also for the histogram generation in camera as well). Thus its good to have the JPEG settings set to a neutral basis when reviewing