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 PNG.
Looking to turn a PNG into a SRF file? Here's the honest answer — and what actually works instead.
You can't convert PNG 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 PNG.
Your PNG 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:
PNG is a lossless raster format with full transparency. It keeps every pixel intact, making it ideal for logos, icons, screenshots and graphics with sharp edges.
How to open PNG opens in every browser and image viewer, plus Photoshop, GIMP, Preview and Photos.
Full PNG 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.
PNG → TIFFA small, universal photo format that opens everywhere.
PNG → JPGA modern format with small files at high quality for the web.
PNG → WEBPConvert your SRF and other camera RAW files to JPG, PNG or TIFF.
Open the converter