What is a .raw file?
A .raw file is a panasonic raw image. Its registered MIME type is image/x-panasonic-rw, which places it in the image family of formats.
Technically it is a specialised form of image/x-dcraw, so tools that understand that format can often read at least part of it.
RAW is a binary format: the contents are not readable text, so opening it in a text editor shows scrambled characters.
RAW file format details
| Extension | .raw |
|---|---|
| Format | Panasonic raw image |
| MIME type | image/x-panasonic-rw, image/x-panasonic-raw |
| Category | Image |
| Text or binary | Binary |
| Based on | image/x-dcraw |
| File signature | None fixed |
| Registered with IANA | No |
| Other extensions | None |
How to open RAW files
| Windows | The Photos app handles common image formats; for this one you may need an image editor. GIMP is free and opens many formats. |
|---|---|
| Mac | Preview opens most image formats. If it cannot, a dedicated image editor usually can. |
| iPhone and iPad | Photos and the Files app show common image types. Less common ones may need an app, or conversion to JPG or PNG. |
| Android | Google Photos and gallery apps show common images. Other formats may need a viewer app. |
Can you convert a .raw file?
TapToConvert does not convert RAW files yet. If you can export the file from its program as a common image format, the image converter can turn it into anything else.
RAW file FAQ
What is a .raw file?
A .raw file is a panasonic raw image, with the MIME type image/x-panasonic-rw.
How do I open a .raw file?
With the program that created it. The viewer on this page shows what is inside without installing anything.
Is a .raw file safe to open?
RAW files hold data rather than programs, but any file from an unknown source can be crafted to exploit the software that opens it. Keep that software up to date. The viewer on this page only reads the bytes and never runs anything.
What is the MIME type of .raw?
image/x-panasonic-rw, and it is also seen as image/x-panasonic-raw. Web servers send this type so browsers know how to handle the file.
Is RAW a text or binary format?
Binary. Its contents are not readable as text.
File type facts come from the IANA media type registry, the mime-db project and the freedesktop.org shared MIME database.