Google+ improves RAW-to-JPEG conversion, supports more than 70 cameras

By Les Shu September 26, 2013

google improves raw to jpeg conversion supports more than 70 cameras plus intherain before after — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Since acquiring Nik and Snapseed, Google has been moving forward with online photo editing in full steam and continuing to add features and enhancements to Google+. The latest is improved RAW-to-JPEG conversion.

Because Google+ lets you store full-size photos in the cloud, users have been uploading uncompressed RAW images. Once a RAW image is uploaded, Google automatically converts it to JPEG for fast viewing and editing, while keeping the original RAW file is left intact. That converted JPEG image now looks better thanks to the improvements, Google said. The feature supports more than 70 cameras from Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, and Sony, with more added in the future. Check out the before and after photos.

google-plus_pigment_before-after — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Google’s photo-editing features are still fairly basic, but over time, as stronger tools are added, it could become a serious challenger to Photoshop and Lightroom for customers who don’t mind working in the cloud. Adobe is clearly aware and has been making moves on its end too, moving elements of the professional Creative Suite to the cloud and improving its Photoshop and Premiere Elements consumer desktop software with cloud functionality.

(Images via Google)

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Google

Former Digital Trends Contributor

I am formerly a senior editor at Digital Trends. I bring with me more than a decade of tech and lifestyle journalism…

Mobile

Google designer believes the Pixel 4’s camera design is more iconic than Apple’s

Google Pixel 4 and 4 XL Hands on

Max Yoshimoto, director of Industrial Design on the Consumer Hardware team at Google. Google

When Apple unveiled its latest phones -- the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max -- the design caused a bit of a stir. Namely, the camera design invoked several people's trypophobia, which is a fear of clusters of holes. Now that Google's Pixel 4 has finally been unveiled with a similar camera module, the Pixel phone's designer shared a few of his thoughts about Apple's approach.

Photography

After Lightroom and Photoshop, Loupedeck brings tactile edits to Camera RAW

loupedeck adobe camera raw loupedeckcameraraw

Loupedeck, the editing console originally designed for Lightroom, today continues its march to dominate multiple editing platforms with new integration with Adobe Camera RAW. On Wednesday, June 26, Loupedeck announced compatibility between Adobe Camera RAW and the Loupedeck Plus editing “keyboard.”

Loupedeck Plus uses physical dials, wheels and buttons to bring a more tactile -- and sometimes faster -- experience to photo editing. With today’s update, the accessory now works with Adobe Camera RAW, Adobe’s tool for converting and manipulating RAW files before working with the images inside of Photoshop.

Photography

‘Photoshopped’ royal photo causes a stir

The Princess of Wales with her children.

[UPDATE: In a message posted on social media on Monday morning, Princess Kate said that she herself edited the image, and apologized for the fuss that the picture had caused. “Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing," she wrote, adding, "I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused."]

Major press agencies have pulled a photo of the U.K.’s Princess of Wales and her children amid concerns that it has been digitally manipulated.