Image MIME Reference
Fuji-RAF
Fujifilm RAW Image
image/x-fuji-raf
VS
Panasonic RAW Image
image/x-panasonic-raw
Panasonic-RAW-(RW2)
A complete technical comparison of Fujifilm RAW Image and Panasonic RAW Image — covering compression, feature support, browser compatibility, magic bytes, and when to choose each format.
Equal browser support
Feature Support
| Feature | Fuji-RAF | Panasonic-RAW-(RW2) |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency (Alpha) | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| Animation Support | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| Progressive Loading | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| 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
Panasonic RAW Image
image/x-panasonic-raw
Extension
.raw.rw2
Container
TIFF-based (Proprietary)
Compression
Uncompressed / Panasonic Proprietary Lossless
Algorithm
NoneProprietary Lossless
Color Depth
12-bit (Per Channel), 14-bit (Per Channel), 16-bit (Per Channel - High-res mode)
Developed by
Panasonic Corporation
Released
2004
Magic Bytes
Older RAW: 49 49 2A 00 | Newer RW2: 49 49 55 00
Browser Support Comparison
| Browser | Fuji-RAF | Panasonic-RAW-(RW2) |
|---|---|---|
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
Panasonic-RAW-(RW2)
Panasonic-RAW-(RW2) Strengths
- Retains maximum sensor data, allowing significant recovery of highlights and shadows compared to in-camera JPEGs
- Modern RW2 files embed proprietary lens correction profiles (distortion, vignetting, chromatic aberration) that raw converters can automatically apply
- The unique 'IIU' signature on RW2 files makes programmatic identification extremely reliable compared to other TIFF-spoofing raw formats
Limitations
- Proprietary format requires continuous updates to third-party processing engines whenever Panasonic releases a new Lumix camera
- Produces very large file sizes, particularly when using Panasonic's High-Resolution multi-shot modes
- Cannot be directly embedded into web pages or used in standard HTML/CSS contexts
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
Panasonic-RAW-(RW2)
Use Panasonic-RAW-(RW2) when…
- Professional Digital Photography
- Non-destructive Image Post-Processing
- High Dynamic Range (HDR) Lumix Archival