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Image MIME Reference
Fuji-RAF

Fujifilm RAW Image

image/x-fuji-raf
VS

JPEG XR Image (HEIF Container)

image/jxra
JPEG-XR-(HEIF)

A complete technical comparison of Fujifilm RAW Image and JPEG XR Image (HEIF Container) — covering compression, feature support, browser compatibility, magic bytes, and when to choose each format.

Equal browser support

Feature Support

Feature Fuji-RAF JPEG-XR-(HEIF)
Transparency (Alpha) ✕ No Yes
Animation Support ✕ No ✕ No
Progressive Loading ✕ No Yes
HDR Support Yes Yes
EXIF Metadata Yes Yes
ICC Color Profile Yes Yes
Fujifilm RAW Image
image/x-fuji-raf
Extension
.raf
Container Proprietary RAF Container
Compression Uncompressed / Lossless Compressed / Lossy Compressed (Modern firmware)
Algorithm
NoneProprietary LosslessProprietary Lossy
Color Depth 14-bit (Per Channel - X-Series), 16-bit (Per Channel - GFX Series)
Developed by Fujifilm Corporation
Released 2000
Magic Bytes
46 55 4A 49 46 49 4C 4D 43 43 44 2D 52 41 57 20
Full Fuji-RAF reference →
JPEG XR Image (HEIF Container)
image/jxra
Extension
.jxra
Container HEIF / ISOBMFF (ISO/IEC 23008-12 / Annex F of ITU-T T.832)
Compression Lossy / Lossless
Algorithm
JPEG XR (Lapped Biorthogonal Transform)
Color Depth 8-bit, 16-bit, 32-bit (Float)
Developed by ISO/IEC JTC 1 / ITU-T
Released 2019
Magic Bytes
XX XX XX XX 66 74 79 70 6A 78 72 41
Full JPEG-XR-(HEIF) reference →

Browser Support Comparison

Browser Fuji-RAF JPEG-XR-(HEIF)
Chrome Chrome
✕ ✕
Firefox Firefox
✕ ✕
Safari Safari
✕ ✕
Edge Edge
✕ ✕
IE IE (Legacy)
✕ ✕
Fuji-RAF

Fuji-RAF Strengths

  • Retains absolute maximum sensor data, enabling massive shadow recovery and highlight protection compared to compressed in-camera JPEGs
  • Stores proprietary Fujifilm Film Simulation metadata (like Classic Chrome or Acros), allowing editors to perfectly replicate in-camera aesthetics
  • Very distinct and reliable magic header makes programmatic file detection foolproof
Limitations
  • Proprietary format requires continuous updates to third-party software (like Lightroom) whenever Fujifilm releases a new camera
  • The X-Trans sensor matrix requires highly specialized demosaicing algorithms that are extremely computationally expensive, leading to slower import and rendering times
  • Completely unsupported in standard web browsers and basic operating system image viewers
JPEG-XR-(HEIF)

JPEG-XR-(HEIF) Strengths

  • Combines the deep color (32-bit float) and mathematically lossless compression of JPEG XR with the robust metadata architecture of HEIF
  • Allows grouping multiple images, exposure brackets, or focal stacks into a single file collection
Limitations
  • Practically non-existent software and operating system support compared to standard HEIC or legacy JPEG XR (.jxr)
  • Zero web browser support, rendering it entirely unsuitable for public web deployment
  • Eclipsed by modern standards like AVIF and JPEG XL which offer superior compression with much broader industry backing

When to choose which format

Fuji-RAF
Use Fuji-RAF when…
  • Professional Digital Photography
  • Fujifilm X-Trans Sensor Image Archival
  • High Dynamic Range (HDR) Post-Processing
JPEG-XR-(HEIF)
Use JPEG-XR-(HEIF) when…
  • Specialized Archival
  • Experimental Imaging Workflows
  • High Dynamic Range (HDR) Imaging

More comparisons

Fuji-RAF vs ACES → JPEG-XR-(HEIF) vs ACES → Fuji-RAF vs APNG → JPEG-XR-(HEIF) vs APNG → Fuji-RAF vs AVCI → JPEG-XR-(HEIF) vs AVCI → Fuji-RAF vs AVCS → JPEG-XR-(HEIF) vs AVCS → Fuji-RAF vs AVIF → JPEG-XR-(HEIF) vs AVIF → All comparisons →
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