NEF
Nikon Electronic Format
NEF is Nikon's RAW file format, holding unprocessed sensor data with a JPEG preview, in lossless compressed, compressed or high-efficiency variants depending on the body.
Every Nikon that shoots RAW writes NEF files. Like other RAW formats, a NEF keeps the sensor data before white balance, sharpening and picture controls are baked in, so you can make those decisions later. It also carries an embedded JPEG preview and full EXIF data.
Nikon offers several compression choices, and the names vary by body: lossless compressed, compressed, uncompressed, and on recent Z bodies the high-efficiency options.
How it works
Lossless compressed NEF reduces file size with no loss of data. Compressed NEF discards a little data that's rarely visible. Nikon's high-efficiency RAW options on bodies such as the Z8 and Z9 shrink files further using a newer codec. Editors including Lightroom, Capture One, Photo Mechanic and Nikon's NX Studio read NEF, but each new body or codec may need a software update. See lossless compressed RAW.
An example: a sports shooter's card
A sports photographer on a Z9 uses high-efficiency RAW to fit a full match on one card and keep bursts flowing, filing JPEGs to the desk during play and editing the NEF files afterwards.
NEF and CloudTether
CloudTether tethers Nikon bodies over USB (verified on a Z6) and over Wi-Fi on models that support it, and delivers NEF files unchanged to storage destinations such as Dropbox, Google Drive, S3 or FTP. Galleries that only take JPEGs skip them. For faster delivery, shoot NEF+JPEG and turn on JPEG only. Nikon writes in-camera ratings into the file, so rated send works with Nikon too — test on your body first.
Older Nikon bodies
Some older Nikons mount as a drive over USB. If a body isn't seen for tethering, set its USB option to MTP/PTP — see PTP vs MTP.
Tips and common mistakes
- Check your editor supports your body's compression option before a job.
- Lossless compressed is a safe default when in doubt.
- Shoot NEF+JPEG when clients need images during the shoot.
See also
Put it into practice
CloudTether tethers your camera to your phone and delivers every shot to the cloud, live as you shoot — no laptop.