SRF is Sony's in-camera RAW
SRF is the raw sensor data a Sony camera writes at the moment of capture. It's produced by the camera's own hardware and firmware — software can read it, but nothing can manufacture a genuine SRF from a finished JPG.
Looking to turn a JPG into a SRF file? Here's the honest answer — and what actually works instead.
You can't convert JPG to SRF. SRF is a camera's own RAW format — it only ever comes out of the camera.
SRF is the raw sensor data a Sony camera writes at the moment of capture. It's produced by the camera's own hardware and firmware — software can read it, but nothing can manufacture a genuine SRF from a finished JPG.
Your JPG is a developed, final image. The extra sensor information a SRF carries — wider dynamic range, full color depth, untouched highlights — was discarded when the photo was first saved, and can't be put back.
SRF is proprietary to Sony. Even other RAW formats (NEF, ARW, RAF…) aren't interchangeable with it — there is no universal "save as RAW" that produces a real SRF.
Every real RAW file is one of these camera-maker-specific formats, written by the camera itself:
JPG (JPEG) is a lossy raster format that compresses photographs into small files by discarding detail the eye barely notices — the most widely used photo format on the web and in cameras.
How to open JPG opens in every browser, image viewer and editor with no special software.
Full JPG format guideSRF is Sony's earliest raw format from Cyber-shot cameras like the DSC-F828, predating the later ARW standard.
How to open SRF opens in Lightroom, RawTherapee and Sony's original software; convert to DNG/JPG for modern use.
Full SRF format guideLossless and uncompressed — ideal for editing, archiving and print.
JPG → TIFFLossless with transparency — perfect for graphics, logos and screenshots.
JPG → PNGA modern format with small files at high quality for the web.
JPG → WEBPConvert your SRF and other camera RAW files to JPG, PNG or TIFF.
Open the converter