What is Demosaicing? (RAW to JPG Magic)

DefinitionThe process of reconstructing a full-color image from raw sensor data.

1The Simple Explanation

Think of it like a paint-by-numbers puzzle where you only have some of the numbers. Demosaicing is the computer looking at neighbors to guess what color the missing spots should be.

2Technical Deep Dive

Algorithms range from simple 'Nearest Neighbor' to complex AI-driven logic. Bad demosaicing results in Moiré patterns and fringing artifacts.

Common Misconceptions

Myth: RAW files are ready to view. Fact: You cannot view a RAW file without demosaicing it first. It's just a grid of gray values.