TIFF (Tagged Image File Format):
- ISO standard since 1992
- Lossless compression (LZW, ZIP, none)
- Supports 8/16/32-bit per channel, RGB/CMYK/Gray
- Multi-page, multi-layer (with extensions)
- Universal tool support
DNG (Digital Negative):
- Adobe's open RAW format, ISO-standard since 2008
- Preserves demosaiced sensor data
- Includes embedded preview and metadata
- Some advanced features (Dual Pixel RAW) don't translate
- Wide tool support but Adobe-led
PSD (Photoshop Document):
- Adobe's native format
- Preserves layers, masks, adjustment layers, smart objects
- Up to 32-bit per channel
- Adobe-locked (other tools have limited PSD support)
- 30 GB max file size
TIFF is the master format for:
- Print output workflows (TIFF is the print industry's lingua franca)
- Library and museum archival (institutional requirement)
- Cross-platform exchange (every tool reads TIFF)
- Workflows that don't need layer preservation
- Long-term archival concerns (ISO standard, decades of support)
For a photographer who delivers final flat images to clients and doesn't expect to re-edit: TIFF is the right call. Smaller than PSD, more universal, future-proof.
| Bit depth | Use case |
|---|
| 8-bit TIFF | Most print delivery |
| 16-bit TIFF | High-end print, master archival |
| 32-bit TIFF | HDR composite work, scientific |
For CMYK print delivery, see CMYK vs RGB Printing.
DNG is the master format for:
- Photographers who want re-editable RAW with broad tool support
- Long-term archival of camera RAW files
- Workflows where Adobe Lightroom is the primary tool
- Storage-conscious archives (DNG is smaller than TIFF master)
DNG vs camera-native RAW (CR3, NEF, ARW): DNG is open and ISO-standard; camera RAW formats are proprietary. Some advanced features don't survive (Canon Dual Pixel, Sony Pixel Shift), but core RAW data is preserved.
Conversion CR3/NEF/ARW to DNG is one-way (without storing the original). For workflows that maintain camera-original files alongside DNG: best of both worlds.
For RAW workflow, see RAW to JPG for Lightroom.
PSD is the master format for:
- Composite work (multiple layers needed)
- Iterative client revision workflows (re-edit specific layers)
- Adobe-only studios (PSD is the assumed format)
- Adjustment-layer-heavy photo retouching
PSD's strength is layer preservation. A wedding portrait with subject, background, retouching, color grading layers, and final adjustments needs PSD to preserve each layer for re-editing.
Trade-offs: PSD files can be 5-10x larger than equivalent flat TIFFs. Multi-day re-editing is the use case that justifies the size.
| File scenario | PSD file size |
|---|
| Single-layer 8-bit | 30-50 MB |
| Multi-layer 8-bit (10 layers) | 200-400 MB |
| Multi-layer 16-bit (10 layers) | 400-800 MB |
| Smart object pyramid | 1-3 GB |
| From | To | Quality |
|---|
| Camera RAW (CR3) | DNG | Lossless |
| DNG | TIFF | Lossless |
| TIFF | PSD | Lossless (layers added) |
| PSD | TIFF | Lossless (layers flattened) |
| TIFF | JPG | Lossy |
| PSD | JPG | Lossy (layers flattened) |
The conversions are lossless until you hit JPG. Maintaining a TIFF or PSD master alongside JPG deliverables is the safe practice.
For our image converter, TIFF, PSD, and JPG are all supported.
For a 1000-photo project at 24-megapixel resolution:
| Format | Total storage |
|---|
| 8-bit JPG (q=92) | 12 GB |
| 16-bit TIFF | 240 GB |
| 16-bit DNG | 90 GB |
| 8-bit PSD (single layer) | 30 GB |
| Multi-layer PSD (avg 5 layers) | 150 GB |
DNG is significantly smaller than TIFF for 16-bit data. PSD varies wildly with layer count.
For long-term archival, DNG offers the best storage-to-flexibility ratio for RAW preservation.
| Format | Photoshop | Lightroom | DaVinci Resolve | Final Cut Pro | GIMP | Affinity Photo | DXO PhotoLab | Capture One |
|---|
| TIFF | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DNG | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| PSD | Yes | Limited | Limited | Limited | Yes | Yes (basic) | Limited | Limited |
PSD's tool support is narrower than TIFF or DNG. For multi-tool workflows, TIFF is the safer choice.
Both TIFF and PSD support embedded ICC profiles:
- sRGB (web)
- Adobe RGB (1998) (print)
- ProPhoto RGB (wide gamut, working space)
- DCI-P3 (cinema, modern phones)
The profile travels with the file. Tools color-manage automatically.
For TIFF, ICC embedding is metadata in the IFD (Image File Directory) tags. PSD uses a similar embedded ICC mechanism.
For DNG: color profiles are part of the DNG metadata, including custom DCP (DNG Color Profile) files.
Wedding photography: PSD masters for the 50-80 hero shots that need multi-layer retouching. JPG for the 1000-3000 ceremony candids.
Commercial product: PSD masters for the 5-10 final images. Each has multiple layers (color isolation, dust spot removal, lighting adjustment).
Documentary / journalism: DNG masters for archival. JPG delivery copies. No layer work; just RAW + final.
Fine art print: TIFF 16-bit masters at 600 DPI for archival prints. DNG only if also needed for re-editing.
Stock photography: TIFF or DNG masters; JPG sRGB delivery. No layer work.
For specific industry workflow patterns, see Astrophotography Stacking.
TIFF file size unusually large: uncompressed mode by default. Enable LZW or ZIP compression: 30-50% size reduction.
DNG converted from CR3 missing dual-pixel data: expected. Canon's Dual Pixel RAW doesn't translate to DNG. Keep camera-original CR3 if you need it.
PSD over 4 GB: Photoshop's PSB (Photoshop Big) format extends past 4 GB. Save as PSB instead.
ICC profile not preserved on conversion: tool stripped metadata. Use Adobe's "Save As..." with Embed Color Profile checked.
Layer effects baked into smart object thumbnail: smart objects render at thumbnail resolution. Re-render at full resolution after editing.
For underlying RAW workflow, see RAW to JPG for Lightroom.
Both: convert to DNG for archival, keep camera RAW as cold backup. DNG is open and standardized; camera RAW is proprietary and might not be readable in 50 years.
Adobe-dependent, so risky for very long-term archival. For 5-10 year working library: yes. For multi-decade archive: TIFF or DNG.
TIFF supports layers via extensions (used by GIMP, others). The conversion preserves Photoshop's layer structure but some layer effects (smart objects, advanced filters) may not round-trip.
HEIC is iPhone's default. Lossy by default; not appropriate as master. Convert HEIC to TIFF or DNG if archival quality matters.
Adobe DNG Converter (free download). Drag a folder of RAW files; it produces DNG copies. Original RAW files are kept.
No. The pixel values are identical (TIFF, PSD, DNG with same source). Tool interpretation may differ; color profile handling determines what you see.
For photo masters in 2026: TIFF for cross-platform print and library archival. DNG for re-editable RAW preservation. PSD for layer-based composite work. For most photographers: a hybrid approach with TIFF or DNG as primary master and PSD only for multi-layer hero shots. Our image converter handles cross-format conversions.
