DNG to SVG Converter

Encoding: the DNG uses lossless (or lossy) JPEG-compressed sensor data, plus optional JPEG previews; SVG uses XML text describing paths, shapes and text, sometimes gzipped as .svgz, and the download is an SVG traced into vector paths (or, if you prefer, the pixels embedded in an SVG wrapper).

Bit depth: 8 to 16 bits per channel in the DNG; SVG allows not fixed: coordinates and colours are continuous values, and the SVG written here has vector paths with flat colours. The raw data's 12 to 16 bits are not used: the embedded 8-bit preview is converted.

Colour: camera RGB plus the colour matrices that map it to XYZ (demosaiced linear RGB in a Linear DNG) in the DNG; SVG supports sRGB by default, other spaces through CSS colour functions, written here as flat colour regions.

Metadata: the DNG can carry EXIF, XMP and DNG tags for colour matrices, calibration and lens corrections; SVG can carry title, description and RDF metadata elements, but nothing is copied across.

DNG is Adobe's openly documented raw format. Some cameras and phones record it directly, Adobe DNG Converter turns other brands' raw files into it, and a Linear DNG holds already-demosaiced RGB that raw editors treat like any other raw file.

DNG is built on TIFF/EP. The raw image sits in a sub-IFD marked as the main image, with tags for black and white levels, colour matrices and the colour filter pattern; a Linear DNG (PhotometricInterpretation 34892) stores demosaiced RGB instead of a mosaic. Previews are optional, and Adobe DNG Converter can write a medium (1024 px), full-size or no preview.

DNG files usually come from Leica, Pentax and Ricoh cameras, DJI drones, Google Pixel and iPhone ProRAW, and Adobe DNG Converter.

SVG describes shapes, paths and text as XML instead of pixels, so it stays crisp at any size. It is the standard for logos, icons and illustrations on the web.

An SVG is an XML document: a root <svg> element with a viewBox, then paths, shapes, text, gradients and filters. It can also embed raster images and, dangerously, scripts, which is why untrusted SVG is sanitized before rendering here.

SVG is the better choice for logos, icons and illustrations, while DNG suits raw editing and archiving raw files in an open format.

SVG strengths: Infinitely scalable and sharp; Tiny files for logos and icons; Editable as text and styleable with CSS. Drawbacks to weigh: Not suitable for photographs; Can contain scripts, so untrusted SVG must be sanitized; Many apps and social sites will not accept it.