NEF File

What are NEF files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a NEF file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your NEF files.

What is a NEF file?

A .NEF file is a Nikon Raw Image file.

NEF is an acronym for Nikon Electronic Format. Files that contain the .nef file extension are normally used by Nikon digital SLR cameras.

The files that are captured by the Nikon cameras are raw image files. These files can then be transferred from the Nikon camera to a user's computer when a user wants to edit the images they have taken with the camera.

The NEF file contains the image data in the same way that it was captured by the CCD detector located inside the Nikon camera. NEF files are uncompressed, editable files that can be adjusted with image editing software.

How to open NEF files

We have identified five NEF openers that are compatible with this specific type of NEF file.

Programs that open Nikon Raw Image files

Last updated: January 22, 2025

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of NEF files. Remember, different programs may use NEF files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.

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File.org helps thousands of users every day, and we would love to hear from you if you have additional information about NEF file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.