Image MIME Reference
AIMG
Universal AI Media Format (Image)
image/prs.aimg
VS
Canon Raw Version 2
image/x-canon-cr2
Canon-CR2
A complete technical comparison of Universal AI Media Format (Image) and Canon Raw Version 2 — covering compression, feature support, browser compatibility, magic bytes, and when to choose each format.
Equal browser support
Feature Support
| Feature | AIMG | Canon-CR2 |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency (Alpha) | Yes | ✕ No |
| Animation Support | Yes | ✕ No |
| Progressive Loading | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| HDR Support | Yes | Yes |
| EXIF Metadata | Yes | Yes |
| ICC Color Profile | Yes | Yes |
Universal AI Media Format (Image)
image/prs.aimg
Extension
.aimg
Container
Universal AI Media Format (AIMF)
Compression
Container (Inherits payload compression, e.g., PNG/JPEG)
Algorithm
None (Pass-through to embedded payload)
Color Depth
Inherited from payload (8-bit, 16-bit, HDR)
Developed by
AI Media Format (ai-mf) Open-Source Project
Released
2026
Magic Bytes
Varies (Custom AIMF Header Prepended to Payload)
Canon Raw Version 2
image/x-canon-cr2
Extension
.cr2
Container
TIFF
Compression
Lossless JPEG (ITU-T81)
Algorithm
Lossless JPEG (ITU-T81)
Color Depth
12-bit (Per Channel), 14-bit (Per Channel)
Developed by
Canon Inc.
Released
2004
Magic Bytes
49 49 2A 00 10 00 00 00 43 52 02 00
Browser Support Comparison
| Browser | AIMG | Canon-CR2 |
|---|---|---|
Chrome
|
✕ | ✕ |
Firefox
|
✕ | ✕ |
Safari
|
✕ | ✕ |
Edge
|
✕ | ✕ |
IE (Legacy)
|
✕ | ✕ |
AIMG
AIMG Strengths
- Provides a robust, tamper-evident cryptographic wrapper to definitively prove the origin of AI-generated media
- Header-first structure allows verifier nodes and APIs to validate an image's origin without needing to download or decode the entire massive pixel payload
Limitations
- Lacks native rendering support in browsers, requiring server-side extraction or client-side WebAssembly to display the embedded image
- Utilizes the IANA 'prs.' (personal/vanity) tree rather than the standards tree, which can cause strict enterprise firewalls to reject the MIME type as unverified
Canon-CR2
Canon-CR2 Strengths
- Retains maximum sensor data, allowing extreme recovery of highlights and shadows that would be permanently lost in a JPEG
- White balance and color profiling are not 'baked in', meaning they can be completely altered in post-production without degrading the image
- Lossless compression ensures perfect pixel accuracy while reducing file size compared to fully uncompressed formats
Limitations
- Proprietary format means it requires constant updates to raw processing engines (like Adobe Camera Raw) every time Canon releases a new camera model
- Produces very large file sizes (often 20MB to 40MB per image depending on sensor resolution)
- Cannot be directly embedded into web pages or used in standard HTML/CSS contexts
When to choose which format
AIMG
Use AIMG when…
- AI Provenance and Attribution
- Verifiable Deepfake Prevention
- Cryptographic Media Watermarking
- Generative AI Workflows
Canon-CR2
Use Canon-CR2 when…
- Professional Digital Photography
- Non-destructive Image Post-Processing
- High Dynamic Range (HDR) Imaging Archival