How to keep a Nikon 3200 from taking.nef files?

I recently got a Nikon 3200 DSLR camera and I noticed that when I take a picture it saves two pictures. A. Jpeg and a.nef. I don't really need the.nef file for what I do and it is almost twice the size of the.jpeg files. So essentially my memory card is 2/3rd filed with wasted space. Is there a way to make the nikon just take the.jpeg pictures? I've been looking on the site and the forums, but haven't had any luck just yet.

The NEF file is Nikon's RAW image format.

A RAW image essentially captures the sensor's data as-is. Technically, a RAW image has more 'bits' per pixel (thus possibly higher color gamut) and it is no image data is lost due to lossy compression algorithms used in JPEG format.

On your camera, the image mode is set-to 'RAW + JPEG'. Just change it to 'FINE' to shoot only high quality JPEG images.

To do so, press the 'i' button on the camera and use the arrow-buttons.

On page 44 of your manual, there's a detailed procedure on how to change this, and explains it a lot better than I can.

If you don't have a manual, you can download one at www.nikonusa.com in the service and support section.

Rajib has it right. You are shooting in jpeg+RAW mode, it should say that right on your LCD screen, you can't miss it.NEFs are just Nikon's name for RAW files. Sony is ARW, Fuji is. RAF and so on.

If jpegs work for you, that's fine, but don't think of these larger files as junk.

RAW is superior to jpeg in every way. Jpegs are not really what the image sensor captured, they are just a fraction of the data.jpeg has its place, like when your photos just don't require every bit of info, and they are faster to work with than RAW.

RAW will allow you do make edits in post that no jpeg can.switch to jpeg only and your problem will be solved.