Will the camera adjust the color temperature to change the raw file data?

Nowadays, digital cameras can change the color temperature when shooting. If the photographer changes the color temperature, will it change the data of the RAW file that is claimed to be truthfully recorded? The answer is yes, but it hasn't changed.

First of all, we should understand the definition of RAW file. RAW file is almost the information obtained directly from CCD or CMOS, and it has not been processed. In the image/electronic sensor, each pixel well is only responsible for obtaining one color after being divided by the color filter. Each pixel usually carries 10 or 12 bits (12 bits are most commonly used), and these data can be stored in RAW files. From this point of view, the RAW file is still the original data, it has not changed, and there is no need to change it.

The RAW file not only records the sensor information, but also includes other contents provided by the electronic control system of the digital camera, including the brand and model of the camera, the focal length and aperture of the lens, the shutter and even the distance measurement. Naturally, there will be additional information such as color temperature, saturation, contrast and exposure compensation set by the photographer in real time, which are written in the RAW file. Photographers can read this information while looking at pictures through image editing software, which can naturally be regarded as changing the data of RAW files.

To sum up, the originality of the RAW file has not been destroyed, but the adjustment of the camera will also be recorded as a mark, which is convenient for photographers to edit later. In other words, there are reasons for change and reasons for not changing.