Convert DNG to JPEG 2000 on Mac
Select the DNG files in Finder, press ⌥ F, choose JPEG 2000 and press Return. FileFlip saves each JPEG 2000 next to its original and works without an internet connection.
How to convert DNG to JPEG 2000 with FileFlip
Select the DNG files
In Finder or on the Desktop. One file, or a whole folder with ⌘ A.
Press ⌥ F
FileFlip opens next to the selection and lists the formats it can make from DNG. Type “JPEG 2000” to jump to it.
Choose JPEG 2000 and press Return
The JPEG 2000 files appear next to the originals with the same names. The DNG files stay as they are.
DNG and JPEG 2000
Raw files are large and most apps and websites can’t show them, so they have to be developed into a regular image before sharing. Some archives and professional imaging systems ask for JPEG 2000.
What changes when you convert
- JPEG 2000 can store the image either lossy or lossless.
- A raw file is unprocessed sensor data. Converting develops it into a finished image, so keep the DNG if you may want to edit it later.
| Property | DNG | JPEG 2000 |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Digital Negative | JPEG 2000 |
| Made by | Adobe | Joint Photographic Experts Group |
| Introduced | 2004 | 2000 |
| Compression | Unprocessed sensor data, lossless or lightly compressed | Lossy or lossless (wavelet) |
| Best for | Editing photos with the most room for adjustments | Archiving and professional imaging |
| Opens in | Lightroom, Photoshop, Photos, Preview and most raw editors | Preview and professional imaging tools; most browsers and many apps don’t open it |
| File extension | .dng | .jp2 |
| In FileFlip | Opens | Opens and saves |
Other ways on a Mac
For one file now and then you may not need FileFlip. These work with what’s already on your Mac.
Preview
Open the DNG in Preview, choose File → Export, pick JPEG-2000 from the Format menu and click Save. For several files, open them together, select all thumbnails in the sidebar and choose File → Export Selected Images.
Works when macOS supports your camera model.
Terminal
The sips command converts images in place or into a new file.
sips -s format jp2 DSC_0001.dng \
--out DSC_0001.jp2Built into macOS and good for scripts. Run sips --formats to see what your macOS version can read and write.
Questions about DNG and JPEG 2000
Does converting DNG to JPEG 2000 lose quality?
JPEG 2000 can store the image either lossy or lossless.
Can I convert many DNG files at once?
Yes. Select them all in Finder, press ⌥ F and choose JPEG 2000. Progress moves to the menu bar, so you can close the panel and keep working.
Should I keep the DNG file?
Yes. The raw file holds more information than any finished image, so keep it if you may want to edit the photo again.
Where is the JPEG 2000 file saved?
Next to the original, with the same name and the .jp2 extension. The DNG file isn’t changed. In Settings you can choose a different folder instead.
Can I convert JPEG 2000 back to DNG?
No. FileFlip opens DNG files but doesn’t save them.
Are my files uploaded anywhere?
No. FileFlip converts files on your Mac and works with the internet turned off.
Convert a whole shoot at once
FileFlip also handles video, audio, PDFs, documents and data files. Requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later.
Coming soon for Mac