Lightroom Mobile now lets you edit DSLR Raw files on your phones and tablets

Lightroom Mobile for Android has had some Raw support for a while now, at least when you’re using the phone’s built in camera, but now Adobe have broadened this capability, adding support for Nikon, Canon and other Raw formats to Lightroom Mobile for both Android and iOS.

Local adjustments have also been added, like those found in the desktop version of Lightroom, which is a very useful and welcome feature. We’ve also been the ability to embed copyright information into imported images.

It seems that it isn’t just a half-hearted attempted to keep complainers happy, either. The announcement post over on the Adobe blog says…

We’ve run Lightroom for mobile through its paces on a number of different files, including the 50MP Canon 5DS running on an iPhone 6, proving that you really can edit nearly any photo anywhere.

Lightroom Mobile supports all the Raw formats that the desktop version does and with an Adobe CC subscription the changes you make on mobile can also be synced up to the desktop. This allows you to carry on where you left off when you get back on your computer.

Lightroom for iOS v2.4

Import and edit Raw files directly from your DSLR
Linear and Radial selections for local adjustments

Keyboard shortcuts have been added with physical keyboards connected to the iPad (presumably using the camera connection kit or lightning to USB adapter)
Embed copyright information into imported photos
Lens profiles have been added for supported camera and lens combinations

Lightroom for Android v2.1

New “Pro” mode gives you full manual control over your phone camera’s shutter speed, ISO, white balance and focus
Widget added giving you direct access to Lightroom’s camera without having to go through the rest of the LR UI
Export full resolution files
Added support for latest Adobe Camera Raw

Lightroom Mobile still isn’t quite as strong as the desktop version, but I feel Adobe don’t want it to be. It’s a companion to the desktop, not a replacement.

Mobile processing is designed to be quick and easy, and the complexity of the desktop application on a touch screen UI would just slow things down.

I don’t think I’d ever use a phone or tablet as a serious alternative to a desktop computer with a nicely calibrated display, but when you want to work on something quick to get it up on social media quickly while you’re still out on location, it can be extremely handy.

So, have you checked it out yet? Are you getting the Raw performance you’d hoped for? Let us know what you think in the comments.