Nikon Z 50 Reference Manual - Page 155

A NEF (RAW) NEF (RAW) image files (extension "*.nef") contain the raw image data output from the image sensor. Using Nikon's ViewNX-i or Capture NX-D software, you can adjust and re-adjust settings such as exposure compensation and white balance as often as you please without degrading image quality, making this format ideal for photos that will be processed in multiple different ways. ViewNX-i and Capture NX-D are available free-of-charge from the Nikon Download Center. The process of converting NEF (RAW) images to other formats such as JPEG is referred to as "NEF (RAW) processing". You can save NEF (RAW) images in other formats using the ViewNX-i and Capture NX-D computer applications or the NEF (RAW) processing option in the camera retouch menu. The i Menu 127