Image MIME Reference
Fuji-RAF
Fujifilm RAW Image
image/x-fuji-raf
VS
Network FlashPix
image/vnd.net-fpx
Net-FPX
A complete technical comparison of Fujifilm RAW Image and Network FlashPix — covering compression, feature support, browser compatibility, magic bytes, and when to choose each format.
Equal browser support
Feature Support
| Feature | Fuji-RAF | Net-FPX |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency (Alpha) | ✕ No | Yes |
| Animation Support | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| Progressive Loading | ✕ No | Yes |
| HDR Support | Yes | ✕ No |
| 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
Network FlashPix
image/vnd.net-fpx
Extension
.fpx
Container
Microsoft OLE Structured Storage (COM)
Compression
JPEG (Lossy) / Uncompressed / Single-color (Solid)
Algorithm
JPEGNone
Color Depth
8-bit (Grayscale/Indexed), 24-bit (RGB), 32-bit (CMYK/RGBA)
Developed by
Digital Imaging Group (Kodak, HP, Live Picture, Microsoft)
Released
1996
Magic Bytes
D0 CF 11 E0 A1 B1 1A E1
Browser Support Comparison
| Browser | Fuji-RAF | Net-FPX |
|---|---|---|
Chrome
|
✕ | ✕ |
Firefox
|
✕ | ✕ |
Safari
|
✕ | ✕ |
Edge
|
✕ | ✕ |
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
Net-FPX
Net-FPX Strengths
- Revolutionized web imaging in the late 1990s by proving that massive gigapixel images could be navigated seamlessly over 56k dial-up modems
- Pioneered the tile-based, multi-resolution pyramid concepts that eventually evolved into modern standards like IIIF (International Image Interoperability Framework)
Limitations
- Completely obsolete, having been replaced by standard JPEG servers and modern tiling formats like Deep Zoom or JPEG 2000/XR
- Relied on proprietary Java applets or ActiveX controls to render the tiles dynamically in a web browser
- Extremely complex to parse server-side due to the heavy OLE filesystem container
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
Net-FPX
Use Net-FPX when…
- Historical Internet Imaging Protocol (IIP) Streaming
- Early E-Commerce Deep Zoom Implementations
- Legacy High-Resolution Image Servers