Nikon D6 Reference Manual page 195

Option
[NEF (RAW)]
[JPEG fine c ]
[JPEG fine]
[JPEG normal c ]
[JPEG normal]
[JPEG basic c ]
[JPEG basic]
A
NEF (RAW)
•
NEF (RAW) image files contain the raw data output from the image
sensor. They have the extension "*.nef".
•
Using Nikon's ViewNX-i or Capture NX-D software, you can adjust and
re-adjust settings such as exposure compensation and white balance.
Such adjustments can be performed as often as you please without
degrading image quality, making this the ideal format 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.
Record photos in NEF (RAW) format.
Record photos in JPEG format. "Fine" produces higher
quality pictures than "normal" and "normal" higher
quality pictures than "basic".
•
Choose options with a star (" c ") to maximize image
quality. Choose options without a star (" c ") to
ensure that the JPEG copies all have more or less the
same file size.
Image Recording Options (Image Area, Quality, and Size)
Description
143