RAW ("raw" or "negative" file) contains minimally processed data obtained directly from the camera sensor and is not ready for printing or editing using a graphics program usually used for editing. That is why there are programs; RAW converters that process the RAW files from a color space wirh a wide gamut to a device dependent color space. In them are made precise adjustments prior to conversion to a common "positive" format such as TIFF or JPEG. Former simple process of converting RAW files became a separate necessary editing process. Photographers are faced with a wide range of programs for processing and conversion, where there are programs that do not offer much more than just the conversion of RAW files, but also multi-functional programs that offer a complete workflow of importing and cataloging to developing, printing, presenting, and creating an online gallery. The theoretical part of the work will deal with RAW files in depth, their definition, how they are made, what they contain, their standardization and history, and their advantages and disadvantages. We will also explain what RAW converters are, their appearance and why they matter. Using simple conversion processes in the experimental part we will compare a number of the most popular and competitive programs (Phase One Capture One 6, Corel AfterShot 2, DxO Optics Pro 9, Adobe Lightroom 5.2 and Picturecode Photoninja) currently on the market, with the goal of gaining insight into the quality of the images, and diversity in terms of settings and options.