RAW format is an uncompressed image format. It carries MUCH greater flexibility and larger dynamic range when it comes down to post processing. So basically, if you over or underexpose a picture, you can fix it much better in RAW format than you can in JPG format. Professionals shoot RAW always. I shoot RAW always. However, it does have a larger file size. If you do photo editing other than cropping then RAW works better. If you just do snapshots and want to save space and only print like 4x6 sizes, JPG is fine.

If you, in the future, decide to shoot RAW, I recommend Lightroom. It's a good program that has RAW editing and automatically imports pictures from your memory card. It's also very fast and light - not like Photoshop. It's more like an elite windows picture viewer with photo editing capabilities.

It pretty much comes down to this: if you are going to be doing post processing or printing it on a large medium, like a billboard, use RAW, otherwise jpeg.

Sorry Endyss, but I'm not going to be too much help here since I only shoot film and have never messed with RAW. But doing some research, this is what I've come up w/.

Like mentioned above, RAW vs another format is situational, depending on what your doing or what you want will determine which is better.

RAW biggest advantage is flexibility post processing.

RAW is exactly what it sounds like, raw data from the sensor. So this allows you to get an image free from visible compression artifacts from the camera, although depending on how its saved post processing (e.g. jpg) you'll get some compression anyway. This allows you to correct any mistakes made in the field taking the picture, although my thoughts are if you did it right the first time you wouldn't need all the post processing, but that's just me.

RAW has some disadvantages though

- Large file size
It takes longer for the camera to record and fills more space on both the camera/computer, although the latter is much less of a problem

- Always requires some sort of post processing
RAW files require you conduct some degree of post processing to convert your image to an editable file type for editing, printing and/or online display.

- Non standardized format
Requires specific software to open which most people have (e.g. Photoshop) but not everyone. So there is a possibility of sending the file to someone that can't open it. From what I've read it seems each camera as saves RAW slightly different than another, although I'm not sure how true that is.

- Archival
Much like any file format, there is a possibility that future software wouldn't be able to open older files due to version differences. This isn't so much of an issue immediately, but could be many many years down the line.

Ultimately some of RAW's disadvantages can be solved in one way or another, both the third and fouth problems can be solved by saving to a more popular format after post processing, like TIFF. You'd be able to fix whatever you were trying to fix and have an image that is usable by more programs

So from what I see the only thing you need to think about when deciding RAW vs JPG would be how much flexibility you want for post processing, how much time you want to put into the photo, and how quickly are you wanting/needing to take pictures.

An example would be if you're taking a portrait or a still shot, RAW might be a better option as you have plenty of time for the camera to process the image. As opposed to if you were needing to taking action shots that required multiple shots in a short time, JPG might be a better option

Unfortunately everyone has their preferences so you're not going to find a definitive answer. I prefer my darkroom ;)