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.NEF File Extension

File TypeNikon Electronic Format RAW Image

DeveloperNikon
Popularity
3.9 (113 Votes)
CategoryCamera Raw Files
FormatBinary

What is a NEF file?

An NEF file is a raw photo captured by a Nikon digital camera. It is saved in an uncompressed format that stores data exactly as it was captured by the CCD. NEF files also contain image metadata, which includes the camera ID and the lens that was used.

More Information

Screenshot of a .nef file in Microsoft Photos

NEF file open in Microsoft Photos

The NEF format supports 12-bit or 14-bit data, depending on the camera used to capture the image. Any adjustments to image settings such as exposure, hue, tone, sharpening, and white balance can be applied with photo editing software once the image is saved to a computer.

Changes to the image are stored as instruction sets separate from the raw image data in the NEF file. This means that no matter how many edits are applied to the image you can revert back to the original.

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Programs that open NEF files
X
Windows
File Viewer Plus
Free Trial
Nikon ViewNX2
Free
Adobe Photoshop 2020
Free Trial
Corel PaintShop Pro 2020
Free Trial
Corel AfterShot Pro 3
Free Trial
Adobe Photoshop Elements 2020
Free Trial
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2020
Free Trial
Canvas X
Free Trial
ACD Systems ACDSee Photo Studio
Free Trial
Google Picasa
Free
Microsoft Photos
Included with OS
Mac
Nikon ViewNX2
Free
Apple Photos
Included with OS
Google Picasa
Free
Adobe Photoshop 2020
Free Trial
Adobe Photoshop Elements 2020
Free Trial
Snap Converter
Paid
MacPhun ColorStrokes
Paid
Corel AfterShot Pro 3
Free Trial
Linux
Corel AfterShot Pro 3
Free Trial
iOS
Adobe Photoshop Express
Free+
Google Snapseed
Free
Android
File Viewer for Android
Free+
Adobe Photoshop Express
Free
Google Snapseed
Free
Updated 9/13/2019

About NEF Files

Our goal is to help you understand what a file with a *.nef suffix is and how to open it.

The Nikon Electronic Format RAW Image file type, file format description, and Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS programs listed on this page have been individually researched and verified by the FileInfo team. We strive for 100% accuracy and only publish information about file formats that we have tested and validated.

If you would like to suggest any additions or updates to this page, please let us know.