[Sarastro]

Most new digital cameras can save images in RAW format. That means zero compression, i.e., storing every bit that comes off the image sensors. If you have a 4MB camera, the RAW image is 4MB. Converting it to a 40MB TIFF file adds nothing to image quality. You can print the RAW file (with or without post-processing) or compress it for, say, e-mail or posting on the web, where there's no point in having more information than can be displayed on a computer monitor. Where you really need compression is on video files, which run about 10GB per hour, even with MPEG compression.

[Syntyr]

RAW is the way to go. It has all of the original info and you can do your post processing any time. If you don't like it or want something different re process it and generate new JPGs.

As soon as I bought my Canon Digital Rebel I figured that one and thought this RAW stuff is pretty cool!