Supported file formats

Photo and video formats that work with Camera Sync.

Camera Sync supports the most common photo formats used by digital cameras.

Supported formats

Photos

| Format | Extension | Support | |--------|-----------|---------| | JPEG | .jpg, .jpeg | Full support | | HEIF/HEIC | .heif, .heic | Full support | | PNG | .png | Full support | | WebP | .webp | Full support | | RAW formats | .cr2, .cr3, .nef, .arw, .raf | Converted to JPEG |

RAW file handling

When you upload RAW files:

  1. Camera Sync processes the RAW file
  2. A high-quality JPEG is generated
  3. The JPEG is uploaded to Google Photos

Note: The original RAW file is not stored. If you need RAW archival, use your camera's dual card slots to save RAW locally while sending JPEGs via FTP.

RAW + JPEG: Choose one format

We recommend configuring your camera to upload only one format (either RAW or JPEG) to get the most out of your monthly upload quota.

Why this matters

When your camera uploads both RAW and JPEG versions of the same photo:

  • We only transfer one copy to Google Photos (whichever arrives first)
  • However, both files count toward your monthly quota

This is because each file upload uses our bandwidth and processing resources, even if we don't transfer it to Google Photos. To cover these costs, we count each file your camera sends.

Recommended setup

For the best experience:

  1. Shoot RAW+JPEG on your camera (for local backup)
  2. Configure FTP to send JPEG only — most cameras let you choose which format to transfer
  3. Keep your RAW files on your memory card for archival

This way, you get instant JPEG sync to Google Photos while preserving RAW files locally for later editing.

If your camera sends both

Don't worry — you won't get duplicates in Google Photos. We automatically detect paired RAW+JPEG files and only transfer one. Just be aware that both files will count against your quota.

Videos

Currently, Camera Sync focuses on photo synchronization. Video files uploaded via FTP are not processed. For video backup, we recommend using your camera's companion app or manual transfer.

Recommended camera settings

For the best Camera Sync experience:

If your camera supports FTP for both RAW and JPEG:

  • Set your camera to shoot RAW+JPEG
  • Configure FTP to transfer JPEG only
  • Keep RAW files on your memory card for archival

If your camera only supports full file transfer:

  • Consider shooting JPEG only for faster transfers
  • Or shoot RAW and accept the conversion to JPEG

File size considerations

There's no hard file size limit, but keep in mind:

  • Larger files take longer to transfer
  • WiFi stability affects large file transfers
  • JPEG files typically transfer faster than RAW

Google Photos storage

Photos synced through Camera Sync count toward your Google account storage:

  • Original quality: Uses your storage quota
  • The photos sync at their original resolution and quality

Check your Google storage at one.google.com/storage.

Questions about formats?

If you need support for a specific format, contact us at support@camerasync.app.

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