Convert NEF to JPEG on Mac
Select the NEF files in Finder, press ⌥ F, choose JPEG and press Return. FileFlip saves each JPEG next to its original and works without an internet connection.
How to convert NEF to JPEG with FileFlip
Select the NEF 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 NEF. Type “JPEG” to jump to it.
Choose JPEG and press Return
The JPEG files appear next to the originals. To make them smaller first, press ⇥ and lower the quality or size.
NEF and JPEG
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. JPEG opens everywhere, from email and websites to Windows PCs and photo printing services.
What changes when you convert
- JPEG is lossy: the file gets much smaller and some fine detail is discarded. At high quality settings the difference is hard to notice.
- A raw file is unprocessed sensor data. Converting develops it into a finished image, so keep the NEF if you may want to edit it later.
| Property | NEF | JPEG |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Nikon Electronic Format | Joint Photographic Experts Group |
| Made by | Nikon | Joint Photographic Experts Group |
| Compression | Unprocessed sensor data, lossless or lightly compressed | Lossy |
| Best for | Editing photos with the most room for adjustments | Photos you want to send, upload or print anywhere |
| Opens in | Raw editors such as Lightroom, plus Photos and Preview when macOS supports the camera model | Every computer, phone, browser and photo app |
| File extension | .nef | .jpg, .jpeg |
| 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 NEF in Preview, choose File → Export, pick JPEG 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.
Photos
If the pictures are in your Photos library, select them, choose File → Export → Export Photos and set Photo Kind to JPEG.
Good for pictures already in your library.
Terminal
The sips command converts images in place or into a new file.
sips -s format jpeg DSC_0001.nef \
--out DSC_0001.jpgBuilt into macOS and good for scripts. Run sips --formats to see what your macOS version can read and write.
Questions about NEF and JPEG
Does converting NEF to JPEG lose quality?
JPEG is lossy: the file gets much smaller and some fine detail is discarded. At high quality settings the difference is hard to notice.
Can I convert many NEF files at once?
Yes. Select them all in Finder, press ⌥ F and choose JPEG. Progress moves to the menu bar, so you can close the panel and keep working.
Will the JPEG keep the date, camera and location?
Yes, metadata is copied by default. Turn on “Remove location” in the options before you share photos publicly.
Should I keep the NEF 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 file saved?
Next to the original, with the same name and the .jpg extension. The NEF file isn’t changed. In Settings you can choose a different folder instead.
Can I convert JPEG back to NEF?
No. FileFlip opens NEF files but doesn’t save them.
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