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RW2 to TIFF Converter

Convert RW2 to TIFF in your browser. The JpgFromRaw preview is converted, so Photo Style settings such as Monochrome or Vivid from the camera are part of the result. No raw development happens here. You get an uncompressed 8-bit RGBA TIFF with the resolution recorded. Nothing is uploaded.

  • Processed locally
  • No upload, no wait
  • No sign-up
  • No watermark

Drop images here

or choose files · paste with Ctrl/⌘ V

RAW expected · other image formats also work

Files are processed on this device. Nothing is uploaded.0 B uploaded

How to use RW2 to TIFF

  1. 1

    Add your RW2 files: drop them here, choose them, or paste from the clipboard.

  2. 2

    There is nothing to tune: the TIFF is written uncompressed. Resizing and rotating are under More options if you need them.

  3. 3

    Click Convert. Each file is decoded and encoded in a background thread on this device.

  4. 4

    Download the .tiff files one at a time or together as a ZIP.

Why use Aback Images for rw2 to tiff

Where the TIFF goes next

TIFF opens in Photoshop, Lightroom, GIMP, Affinity, macOS Preview, Windows Photos and print RIPs.

TIFF next to RW2

The TIFF stores the camera preview's pixels uncompressed, so it can be as large as the 15 to 50 MB raw file, or larger, depending on the preview's resolution.

No new artefacts

The preview inside the RW2 is a camera JPEG; the TIFF stores its decoded pixels uncompressed, so this step adds no compression damage of its own.

Processed on your device

Your images are decoded, edited and encoded inside this browser tab by Web Workers. Nothing is uploaded to a server.

RW2 vs TIFF

What changes from RW2 to TIFF

Encoding: the RW2 uses Panasonic-coded sensor data with a JPEG preview; TIFF uses none, LZW, PackBits, Deflate or JPEG, chosen per file, and the download is an uncompressed 8-bit RGBA TIFF with the resolution recorded.

Bit depth: 12 or 14 bits per channel in the RW2; TIFF allows 1 to 16 bits per channel, or 32-bit floating point, and the TIFF written here has 8 bits per channel. The sensor's 12 or 14 bits are not used: the 8-bit camera preview is converted.

Colour: camera RGB from a Bayer mosaic in the RW2; TIFF supports RGB, CMYK, Lab, greyscale or palette, often with an ICC profile, written here as 8-bit sRGB.

Metadata: the RW2 can carry EXIF and Panasonic maker notes, with the JPEG preview in a JpgFromRaw tag; TIFF can carry EXIF, XMP, IPTC and ICC, all stored as tags, but nothing is copied across.

About RW2

RW2 is the raw format of Panasonic Lumix cameras, which replaced the older .RAW extension around 2008. It holds the sensor data with an embedded full-size JPEG preview.

RW2 is a TIFF variant whose header uses the number 0x55 where TIFF uses 42, so it begins 'IIU'. The full-size JPEG preview is stored in a JpgFromRaw tag next to the sensor data. Older Lumix cameras wrote the same kind of file with a .RAW extension before RW2 took over around 2008.

RW2 files usually come from Panasonic Lumix G and S mirrorless cameras and Lumix compacts.

About TIFF

TIFF is the professional archive and print format. It can hold multiple pages, high bit depths and lossless data, and is common in scanning, publishing and GIS.

A TIFF begins with 'II' or 'MM' for the byte order and the number 42, then an offset to the first image file directory (IFD): a table of tags giving the size, compression, colour model and the location of the strips or tiles of pixels. Each further page is another IFD.

When converting RW2 to TIFF makes sense

TIFF is the better choice for printing, scanning and archival masters, while RW2 suits editing Lumix photos in a raw developer.

TIFF strengths: Lossless and print-ready; Multiple pages in one file; Preferred by print shops and archives. Drawbacks to weigh: Very large files; Browsers cannot display it; Many variants and compression schemes.

Limitations

  • Older Lumix files named .RAW hold the same kind of preview; use RAW to JPG for those.
  • The TIFF is written uncompressed for maximum compatibility, so it is large; print shops and archives generally expect that.
  • Browsers other than Safari do not display TIFF, so it is not a format for the web.

Frequently asked questions

Does converting RW2 to TIFF lose quality?

TIFF is written uncompressed, so the pixels are stored exactly as decoded. Those pixels come from the camera's JPEG preview, so its compression stays, but nothing new is lost. The sensor's 12 or 14 bits are not used: the 8-bit camera preview is converted.

Which apps open TIFF files?

Photoshop, Lightroom, GIMP, Affinity, macOS Preview, Windows Photos and print RIPs. It opens in Safari only; other browsers do not display TIFF.

Are my images uploaded anywhere?

No. Processing happens inside your browser with WebAssembly and Web Workers. The site only downloads the app code and codecs; your files never leave your device. You can confirm this with the live upload counter on the tool, or in your browser's network panel.

Can I process many files at once?

Yes. Drop a whole selection or folder. Files are processed in parallel on several worker threads, each result can be downloaded on its own, and everything can be saved as one ZIP.

Is it free? Is there a file limit or watermark?

It is free with no account, no watermark and no daily limit. The only limit is your device's memory: very large images (over roughly 100 megapixels) may be refused to keep the tab from crashing.