P: Warning about DNG increases file size

I tried the “convert to DNG” function and in INCREASED the file size. Settings were:

• Only convert Raw files (obviously)
• Delete originals after successful conversion
• Extension: dng
• Compatibility: CR 16.0 and later
• JPEG Preview: None
• Emebed fast load data: NO
• Use Lossy compression: NO
• Embed Original Raw File: NO

While I do understand the benefit of DNG over proprietary raw, for long term support, I do not think it’s a good idea to allow an increase in file size without a warning.

While the alleged open character of the dng format is a good selling point, I do not think it’s going to be an issue to open raw files in the future. Nevertheless, I appreciate that option. Therefore I think the main selling point of dng would be a higher compression yielding in smaller files.

Note: I also know that a Lossy compression would obviously output smaller files, but that’s not the point.

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Hi ​@Antoine HLMN,

Thank you for taking the time to explain your suggestion in more detail.

I understand your point. Your suggestion isn’t about whether DNG is useful, but rather about improving the user experience when the Convert to DNG operation results in a file that’s larger than the original RAW.

For anyone interested in learning more about the DNG format and its intended use, we has a detailed overview here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/camera-raw/digital-negative.html

As discussed in this thread, there are valid scenarios where converting to DNG can result in a larger file depending on the source RAW format and the data that needs to be stored. However, your suggestion that Lightroom could warn users before a conversion increases file size is a reasonable enhancement request.

Since this is a feature request rather than a bug, I’d encourage you to post it in the Feature Requests section of the Lightroom Classic Community. The team monitoring that section regularly reviews feature requests and shares them with the product team for consideration.

Including your use case and why you’d find a warning helpful will provide valuable context for the discussion.

Best,

Anshul Saini