Photo & Image File Recovery: How to Recover Deleted JPEG, PNG, RAW, PSD & More
Photos are the most emotionally significant files on any device. They're irreplaceable memories — weddings, births, travels, moments that can never be recreated. Photo recovery has the unique challenge of supporting dozens of proprietary RAW formats, each requiring its own recognition logic in recovery software. This guide covers every major image format, how they store data differently, and exactly how to recover them. See the complete file type recovery overview.
Table of Contents
1. Image Format Categories
2. JPEG — The Universal Photo Format
JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group, ISO/IEC 10918) has been the dominant photo format since 1992. It uses lossy DCT compression — discarding visual data the human eye can't easily perceive to achieve dramatic size reduction (typically 10:1 to 20:1 compression).
| Property | JPEG | Impact on Recovery |
|---|---|---|
| Magic Number | FF D8 FF E0 (or FF D8 FF E1 for EXIF) | One of the most recognizable file headers — easy to detect in raw sector scans |
| File Size | 3-15 MB (typical), 20-50 MB (high-res) | Small size = low fragmentation risk on healthy drives. Can fit in a single cluster. |
| EXIF Metadata | Camera model, lens, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, GPS, date/time | Metadata is stored in the JPEG header. If the header is corrupted, the image may be unreadable even if the pixel data is intact. |
| Partial Recovery | Possible — damaged JPEGs show gray blocks, color banding, or visual artifacts | Partial data can produce a partial image. Some viewers (IrfanView, FastStone) are more tolerant of minor corruption. |
Recovery priority: JPEGs are the easiest image format to recover. Their small size, universal header, and widespread use make them the most reliably recoverable image type. Essential image recovery tips.
3. RAW Camera Formats — 13 Manufacturers
RAW files contain unprocessed sensor data — the digital equivalent of a film negative. Unlike JPEGs, they're not ready to view without processing. Each camera manufacturer uses a proprietary RAW format based on the TIFF/EP standard (ISO 12234-2), but with manufacturer-specific extensions. This means recovery software must recognize 13+ different RAW signatures — one per brand.
| Brand | RAW Format | Magic Number(s) | Typical Size | Embedded JPEG? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon | CR2, CR3 | 49 49 2A 00 10 00 00 00 43 52 | 25-60 MB | ✅ Yes — extractable with ExifTool |
| Nikon | NEF, NRW | 4D 4D 00 2A (TIFF-based) | 25-55 MB | ✅ Yes |
| Sony | ARW, SR2 | 49 49 2A 00 08 00 00 00 | 25-120 MB | ✅ Yes — full-size JPEG preview |
| Fujifilm | RAF | 46 55 4A 49 46 49 4C 4D (FUJIFILM) | 25-200 MB | ✅ Yes |
| Adobe | DNG | 49 49 2A 00 (TIFF-based, open standard) | 20-120 MB | ✅ Yes |
Recovery priority: RAW files are large (up to 200 MB for medium format) and frequently fragmented. Deep Scan with RAW-specific signature recognition is essential. If the RAW data is corrupted, the embedded JPEG preview can still be extracted using ExifTool: exiftool -b -ThumbnailImage file.CR2 > preview.jpg. Enhanced camera recovery guide · Camera file recovery tips.
4. PSD, TIFF & Professional Formats
PSD (Adobe Photoshop Document): Adobe's proprietary format stores layers, masks, adjustment layers, text, and smart objects. Adobe publishes the PSD specification. PSD files can exceed 2 GB (saved as PSB — Photoshop Big). Recovery challenge: enormous file size means high fragmentation risk.
TIFF (Tagged Image File Format): Adobe TIFF 6.0 specification. Unlike JPEG, TIFF supports lossless compression (LZW, ZIP) and multiple pages. TIFF is widely used in scanning, archival, and publishing. Its flexible tag-based structure means partial recovery is often possible — some tags can be reconstructed.
5. Modern Formats — HEIC, WEBP, AVIF
HEIC/HEIF (High Efficiency Image Format): ISO 23008-12. Apple's default photo format since iOS 11. Uses HEVC compression — roughly half the size of JPEG at the same quality. HEIC is a container format that can store multiple images (burst photos, live photos), depth maps, and alpha channels. Recovery software must recognize the HEIF container structure.
WEBP: Google's WebP format supports both lossy and lossless compression. Widely used on the web. Recovery: well-documented header (RIFF....WEBP), easy to detect.
6. Recovery Strategy by Image Type
| Image Type | Quick Scan | Deep Scan | Fragmentation Risk | Partial Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPEG | High | Very High | Low (small files) | ✅ Yes — partial images viewable |
| PNG/GIF/BMP | High | Very High | Low | ✅ Yes |
| RAW (DSLR) | Moderate | High | Medium-High | ✅ JPEG preview extractable |
| RAW (Medium Format) | Low | Moderate | Very High (100-200 MB) | ⚠️ Embedded preview only |
| PSD/PSB | Moderate | Moderate | High (layers + smart objects) | ⚠️ Flattened composite may survive |
7. Recover Photos with XRecovery
XRecovery recognizes all image format signatures including proprietary RAW formats from every major camera brand. See the complete format matrix.
- Download XRecovery to a different drive.
- For SD cards and camera memory: use a USB 3.0 card reader, not the camera's USB cable. Enhanced camera recovery.
- Run Deep Scan — essential for RAW files and formatted cards. Filter by Photos category.
- Preview photos before recovery — XRecovery shows thumbnails of found images. For RAW files, the embedded JPEG preview is displayed.
- Recover to a different drive. XRecovery tutorial.
Restore lost photos from SD card · SD card strategies · Corrupted SD card recovery
Lost Irreplaceable Photos? Recover Them Now.
XRecovery recovers JPEG, RAW (all 13 camera brands), PSD, HEIC — all image formats. Free scan with photo preview.
Download XRecovery FreeFrequently Asked Questions
Why is RAW photo recovery different from JPEG?
RAWs are 3-10× larger, use proprietary per-brand formats, and fragment more easily. But they contain embedded JPEG previews — extractable even if RAW data is corrupted. Use ExifTool: exiftool -b -ThumbnailImage file.CR2 > preview.jpg.
Can I recover photos from a formatted SD card?
Yes — quick format leaves photo data intact. Stop using card immediately. XRecovery Deep Scan recovers by file signatures. 85-95% success.
Why do some recovered JPEGs show gray blocks or color banding?
The JPEG was partially overwritten. Some image data blocks were replaced by new data before recovery. Try viewing in IrfanView (more tolerant of partial JPEGs). Image recovery tips.
Does XRecovery recover HEIC photos from iPhones?
Yes. XRecovery recognizes the HEIF container format. HEIC files from iPhone transfers to Windows are fully recoverable. Download XRecovery.
Your Wedding Photos. Your Travel Memories. Recover Them.
XRecovery recovers every image format — from JPEG to Hasselblad 3FR. Free scan with photo preview.
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