Used to be. Times have changed and even some smartphones will export raw data these days, so camera manufacturers had to follow suit and provide that feature on their lower tiers too.
The sensor outputs raw data unless a JPEG encoder is present, so it makes sense that they would save money by not including that particular feature.
RAW stills are considered a professional feature primarily because the average consumer's needs are better met with JPEG, not because RAW is an expensive feature to implement (unless you count the additional storage requirements).
Comments
isnt't raw data a feature available only on high-level Canon DSLRs and not available PowerShots, even on pricey ones?
Used to be. Times have changed and even some smartphones will export raw data these days, so camera manufacturers had to follow suit and provide that feature on their lower tiers too.
The sensor outputs raw data unless a JPEG encoder is present, so it makes sense that they would save money by not including that particular feature.
RAW stills are considered a professional feature primarily because the average consumer's needs are better met with JPEG, not because RAW is an expensive feature to implement (unless you count the additional storage requirements).