robrory Loc: Coatesville, PA

If one only shoots in RAW, does it matter which picture style is selected on a Canon DSLR? Someone told me that his only effects shots taken in Jpeg.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

It does not affect the raw data not but it will affect the in-bedded JPG used to look at the raw.

Edit: (oops, I forgot the not)

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

The RAW data should remain unaffected. My Nikon D700 will shoot different styles. Adobe software does not see that modification to the file.
--Bob

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

It does matter on the preview on the view screen since that is a JPEG. If you don't make selections it will use the Canon software default settings.

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Yes and no.

When you view a Canon .cr file in DPP you will see a presentation with the picture style (or any other in-camera settings) applied, yes. However, it is not "cooked in" as it would be with a JPEG, and you can easily change any of the settings regardless of what settings you had when you took the image.

Mike

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

RAW data is RAW data and does not get changed.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

While that's generally true, I agree with the other responses that the Picture Style setting (and/or any modifications you've made to it) can or will have effect in several ways when you're shooting RAW...

1. It effects what you see on in image playback on the camera's LCD monitor. This is because what's shown there is actually a JPEG that's embedded in the RAW file, because there is no way to directly view a RAW. (For example, I set sharpening high in the Picture Style I use, to be able to better check focus accuracy in playbacks. I also set contrast as low as possible, because this most closely simulates the appearance of the RAW file I'll later see in Lightroom. But, I don't put too much faith in the camera LCD monitor anyway, because it's not calibrated and is highly susceptible to ambient light conditions.)

2. It also can effect the histogram, which is based upon the JPEG embedded in the RAW file too.

3. If you use Canon Digital Photo Pro software to process your RAW, it also will give previews according to what's set in the Picture Style... And, perhaps more importantly, if you allow it to process the RAWs "as shot", DPP will use those Picture Style settings to do so. As mentioned in previous responses, this is easily over-ridden and it's a non-destructive process (so long as you keep the original RAW).

4. While other non-Canon image editing software will ignore much of what the Picture Style tries to dictate, most of that software DOES recognize and use the color temp and tint settings that have been stored... And both of those can be influenced by Picture Style settings (as well as other settings in the camera). Of course, both these can easily be changed in post-processing, too... so it's not a problem in any way.

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

That is true, but it is also true that you cannot "see" raw data without it being interpreted in some fashion. If you open a raw file in the camera manufacturer's proprietary program the camera settings are applied to the interpretation of the raw data that you view.

Mike

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

I don't shoot Canon, only Fuji, Nikon and Sony, but the principal of RAW is that the "styles" don't have any effect. They are there for those who send their jpegs to Instagram or Facebook.

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

When you open a Nikon raw file in Nikon's program, is the image displayed for viewing with in-camera settings applied, or not?

Mike

fantom Loc: Colorado

Thanks for a clear and concise explanation. I have often wondered if the jpeg settings affected the playback and appreciate you taking the time to clarify.

DJO

With my Nikon D200, choice of vivid, extra vivid, standard, etc. in the shooting menu absolutely changes the raw image.

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Are you sure?

Mike

Haydon

Picture styles only affect preview and jpg's. It has no effect on raw data.