.nef File — Nikon Electronic Format

NEF (Nikon Electronic Format) is Nikon's proprietary RAW image format used across all Nikon digital cameras. NEF files store the complete, unprocessed data from the camera's image sensor along with metadata about camera settings, lens characteristics, and Picture Control configurations. The format is based on the TIFF specification and supports both uncompressed and losslessly compressed variants, with some camera models offering lossy compression options that slightly reduce file sizes. NEF files preserve 12-bit or 14-bit color depth depending on the camera model and selected quality settings, capturing significantly more tonal information than JPEG output. Nikon's ViewNX and Capture NX software are specifically designed for NEF processing, but the format is widely supported by third-party RAW processors including Adobe Lightroom, Capture One, and DxO PhotoLab. NEF files contain embedded JPEG previews for quick display and include comprehensive EXIF data covering exposure parameters, focus points, metering modes, and GPS coordinates when available.