rawpy
RAW image processing for Python, a wrapper for libraw
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes. rawpy is actively maintained, has no known vulnerabilities, and provides the most straightforward Python interface to LibRaw for RAW image processing. Install it if you need to work with RAW files from digital cameras. Be aware of the medium install friction (compiled wheels) and the Linux multiprocessing fork() caveat documented in the FAQ.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- LibRaw library must be available on the system; on Linux, manual installation from source may be required if the system package is outdated or missing.
- Medium install friction due to compiled wheels for multiple Python versions (3.9–3.14) and platforms.
- Package is actively maintained with recent commits and no known vulnerabilities.
License · maintenance · safety
MIT (permissive) — MIT license is permissive and imposes no restrictions on use, modification, or distribution. Note that GPL demosaic packs are intentionally excluded from wheels due to license incompatibility with MIT.
last release 2026-05-07 (99 days) · last repo commit 2026-05-07 · 814 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 531,979 downloads/mo, #6,151 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install rawpy
import rawpy
import numpy
with rawpy.imread('image.nef') as raw:
rgb = raw.postprocess()- Whether all supported camera models and RAW formats are documented or queryable at runtime.
- Performance characteristics when processing large batches of RAW files or very high-resolution images.
- Stability and thread-safety guarantees beyond the documented multiprocessing fork() caveat.
What it is and what it does
rawpy is a Python wrapper around the LibRaw C++ library that handles the low-level decoding of RAW image files from digital cameras. It lets you load RAW files (NEF, CR2, ARW, DNG, and many others), extract metadata and embedded thumbnails, and apply postprocessing such as demosaicing, white balance, gamma correction, and output bit depth control. The package also includes utilities in the `rawpy.enhance` module for detecting and repairing hot and dead pixels across multiple images.
The library is built as precompiled wheels for Python 3.9 through 3.14 on Linux, macOS, and Windows, with optional features like LCMS color management and OpenMP acceleration available on most platforms. It depends only on numpy and is designed for straightforward use in image processing pipelines, from simple one-line postprocessing to advanced workflows involving pixel repair and batch processing.
Use it for
- Load and postprocess RAW files from digital cameras with custom white balance, gamma, and bit depth settings.
- Extract and save embedded thumbnail images from RAW files without full decoding.
- Identify and repair hot/dead pixels across a series of RAW images using statistical analysis.
- Build batch RAW processing pipelines that apply consistent postprocessing parameters to multiple images.
- Access raw sensor data and metadata for scientific or forensic image analysis.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes.
rawpy is actively maintained, has no known vulnerabilities, and provides the most straightforward Python interface to LibRaw for RAW image processing. Install it if you need to work with RAW files from digital cameras. Be aware of the medium install friction (compiled wheels) and the Linux multiprocessing fork() caveat documented in the FAQ.
Install
rawpy on PyPI
Before you install
Medium install friction due to compiled wheels for multiple Python versions (3.9–3.14) and platforms. Package is actively maintained with recent commits and no known vulnerabilities. Depends only on numpy, keeping the dependency tree lean.
LibRaw library must be available on the system; on Linux, manual installation from source may be required if the system package is outdated or missing.
License in practice
MIT license is permissive and imposes no restrictions on use, modification, or distribution. Note that GPL demosaic packs are intentionally excluded from wheels due to license incompatibility with MIT.
Quickstart
pip install rawpy
import rawpy
import numpy
with rawpy.imread('image.nef') as raw:
rgb = raw.postprocess()Verify before relying
- Whether all supported camera models and RAW formats are documented or queryable at runtime.
- Performance characteristics when processing large batches of RAW files or very high-resolution images.
- Stability and thread-safety guarantees beyond the documented multiprocessing fork() caveat.
Package facts
| License | MIT permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.9 |
| Install friction | Medium. Platform-specific wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 1 packagenumpy |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 99 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 531,979 / month, #6,151 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 4 - BetaIntended Audience :: DevelopersNatural Language :: EnglishOperating System :: MacOSOperating System :: Microsoft :: WindowsOperating System :: POSIXOperating System :: UnixProgramming Language :: CythonProgramming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.13Programming Language :: Python :: 3.14Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9Topic :: Multimedia :: GraphicsTopic :: Software Development :: Libraries |
Evidence: rawpy-0.27.0-cp310-cp310-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; rawpy-0.27.0-cp310-cp310-manylinux_2_27_aarch64.manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl; rawpy-0.27.0-cp310-cp310-manylinux_2_27_x86_64.manylinux_2_28_x86_64.whl; rawpy-0.27.0-cp310-cp310-win_amd64.whl; rawpy-0.27.0-cp311-cp311-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; rawpy-0.27.0-cp311-cp311-manylinux_2_27_aarch64.manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl; rawpy-0.27.0-cp311-cp311-manylinux_2_27_x86_64.manylinux_2_28_x86_64.whl; rawpy-0.27.0-cp311-cp311-win_amd64.whl; rawpy-0.27.0-cp312-cp312-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; rawpy-0.27.0-cp312-cp312-manylinux_2_27_aarch64.manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl; rawpy-0.27.0-cp312-cp312-manylinux_2_27_x86_64.manylinux_2_28_x86_64.whl; rawpy-0.27.0-cp312-cp312-win_amd64.whl; rawpy-0.27.0-cp313-cp313-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; rawpy-0.27.0-cp313-cp313-manylinux_2_27_aarch64.manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl; rawpy-0.27.0-cp313-cp313-manylinux_2_27_x86_64.manylinux_2_28_x86_64.whl; rawpy-0.27.0-cp313-cp313-win_amd64.whl; rawpy-0.27.0-cp314-cp314-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; rawpy-0.27.0-cp314-cp314-manylinux_2_27_aarch64.manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl; rawpy-0.27.0-cp314-cp314-manylinux_2_27_x86_64.manylinux_2_28_x86_64.whl; rawpy-0.27.0-cp314-cp314-win_amd64.whl
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