Inferior sharpness of RAW files compared to JPEG

[Dalgo]

Hi,

I took pictures with my Panasonic FZ 1000 and saved them as both, RAW and JPEG. However, importing the same picture in Affinity Photo as JPEG and RAW, the sharpness of the JPEG is significantly better. I attached an example below.

A friend of mine, who uses another software, opened my images as well but here the sharpness of the RAW images was much better.

Below is the JPEG and the RAW file.

P1010953.RW2

Edited July 9, 2019 by Dalgo

[MEB]

Hi Dalgo,
Welcome to Affinity Forums
The JPG was already processed by the camera which traditionally applies sharpening to enhance the output. The Develop Persona in Affinity Photo on the other hand doesn't apply any sharpening by default leaving it to the user to decide how to enhance the image. Other third party RAW development software(s) usually also applies some sharpening to the RAW's by default, thus the differences you are seeing. Check the Detail Refinement slider in the Details panel in Develop Persona to enhance sharpening and also the Clarity slider (mid tone contrast) in the Basic panel/Enhance section if you feel the image still looks too flat.

[Dalgo]

Thanks for your swift reply.

I know that my camera already postprocesses the image. However, in the example above the difference in the sharpness between JPEG and RAW is huge. It is quite hard to achieve a similar sharpness for the RAW file using the detailed refinement.

However, you say this significant difference in sharpness is normal?

Thanks

[IanSG]

5 hours ago, Dalgo said:

However, you say this significant difference in sharpness is normal?

It's normal!  I've recently been comparing some jpegs, unprocessed and processed RAW files - the unprocesed RAWs are very soft, but the processed ones are fine.  I do most of my sharpening in the Photo persona - I like the option of selective sharpening.

 

5 hours ago, Dalgo said:

It is quite hard to achieve a similar sharpness for the RAW file using the detailed refinement.

I've noticed that the detail refinement in 1.7 seems to be much more subtle than in previous versions.  On the other hand, Clarity seems a lot more agressive.