matty

Just got the XSi, and I'm using RAW formats for the first time.

In the menu, you can select to shoot in both RAW + Large, or just RAW. On the XSi, if you select to shoot both RAW + L, it format the RAW to a sRAW format. Only when I shoot RAW alone will it shoot RAW. Is this common on most models?

I'd like to shoot both RAW + L, but don't want it to format to sRAW.

Thanks in advance.

eric

That's really odd. If those are your only two options I'd just shoot RAW. I don't really get the purpose of sRAW, I had too look up what that was and it seems silly.

matty

Yeah, I really didn't get the whole sRAW either, and as much as I'd like to shoot both RAW and JPEG at the same time, it looks like i'll just be using RAW. I looked the menu up and down like 3 times to make sure I wasn't missing anything random RAW setting, but had no success.

eric

I used to shoot raw +basic and decided no point, just raw now.

MCA8690

Could someone break down sRAW in layman's terms, meaning the diff. between that and RAW?

matty

An sRAW is exactly 1/4th the size of a standard RAW, making file size and overall image size smaller. After more reading, the sRAW is intended more for the photogs who are shooting for the web or other media that won't required a print above a 5x7. So, sRAW gives you really small file sizes (3 megs), but still retaining the PP flexibility of normal RAW. So if you don't need a poster sized print, it could work out well for people. If you are working with small storage cards, 3 megs vs. 15 megs a shot...

There are only a few instances where I can see sRAW needed. Burst mode, shooting sRAW will allow you to take more shots before the temporary cache is filled. Maybe at weddings, or if you are running out of storage, you can toggle to sRAW to squeak out a couple more pics.