DNG files exist as 3 different types. Please find information about each of them below.
Type 1: Digital Negative Image
Digital Negative (DNG) is an open, lossless raw image format. It was developed by Adobe for digital photography. DNG was launched on September 27, 2004. The launch included the first DNG specification...
General Information
| Title | DNG File Extension |
| Extension | .dng |
| Full Form | Digital Negative Image |
| File Type | Raw Image File |
| Developer | Adobe Systems |
| MIME Type | image/x-adobe-dng |
File Function
| Primary Function | Store raw image data |
| Additional Functions | Standardize raw files |
| Features | Unprocessed, High-quality |
File Characteristics
| Quality | High |
| Supports Layers | No |
| Supports Transparency | No |
| Editable | Yes |
Use Cases
| Photography | Yes |
| Archiving | Yes |
| Image Editing | Yes |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Low |
| Best Practices | Regular backups, Verify sources |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | 2004 |
| Latest Version | DNG Specification 1.5.0.0 (2019) |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .cr2, .nef, .arw, .orf |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
 Adobe Photoshop |
Subscription | Windows, Mac |
| Adobe Lightroom |
Subscription | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android |
 DNG Converter |
Free | Windows, Mac |
Type 2: Apple ProRAW Image
A DNG file stores a RAW digital image. The Apple ProRAW format extends DNG. It supports iPhone photo data. An iPhone 12 captures ProRAW images. Apple released ProRAW in iOS 14.3, December 2020. ProR...
General Information
| Title | DNG (Apple ProRAW) File Extension |
| Extension | .dng |
| Full Form | Digital Negative |
| File Type | Raw Image File |
| Developer | Adobe Systems, Apple Inc. |
| MIME Type | image/dng |
File Function
| Primary Function | Store image data |
| Additional Functions | Non-destructive editing, Metadata storage |
| Features | High-quality, Versatile, Lossless compression |
File Characteristics
| Quality | High dynamic range |
| Supports Layers | No |
| Supports Transparency | No |
| Editable | Yes, non-destructively |
Use Cases
| Professional Photography | Yes |
| Graphic Design | Yes |
| Image Archiving | Yes |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Low |
| Best Practices | Regular backups, Verify source |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | 2004 by Adobe |
| Adoption by Apple | 2020 with iOS 14.3 |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .cr2, .nef, .arw, .raf |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
| Adobe Photoshop |
Subscription | Windows, Mac |
| Adobe Lightroom |
Subscription | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android |
 Apple Photos |
Free | Mac, iOS |
Type 3: Virtual Dongle Image
A dongle is a device used to activate software. It helps protect expensive software from theft. DNG files store keys from physical dongles. They allow backup if a dongle is damaged. The DNG extension ...
General Information
| Title | DNG File Extension |
| Extension | .dng |
| Full Form | Digital Negative Image File |
| File Type | Raw Image Format |
| Developer | Adobe Systems |
| MIME Type | image/x-adobe-dng |
File Function
| Primary Function | Store raw image data |
| Additional Functions | Archive raw files |
| Features | Unprocessed, High quality |
File Characteristics
| Quality | High resolution |
| Supports Layers | No |
| Supports Transparency | No |
| Editable | Yes |
Use Cases
| Professional Photography | Yes |
| Image Archiving | Yes |
| Post-Processing | Yes |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Low |
| Best Practices | Regular backup, Verify source |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | 2004 |
| Latest Update | DNG Specification 1.5.0.0 |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .raw, .cr2, .nef, .orf |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
| Adobe Photoshop |
Subscription | Windows, Mac |
| Adobe Lightroom |
Subscription | Windows, Mac |
| DNG Converter |
Free | Windows, Mac |