Image MIME Reference
Kodak-K25
Kodak K25 Raw Image
image/x-kodak-k25
VS
Sony SRF Raw Image
image/x-sony-srf
Sony-SRF
A complete technical comparison of Kodak K25 Raw Image and Sony SRF Raw Image — covering compression, feature support, browser compatibility, magic bytes, and when to choose each format.
Equal browser support
Feature Support
| Feature | Kodak-K25 | Sony-SRF |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency (Alpha) | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| Animation Support | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| Progressive Loading | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| HDR Support | Yes | Yes |
| EXIF Metadata | Yes | Yes |
| ICC Color Profile | ✕ No | Yes |
Kodak K25 Raw Image
image/x-kodak-k25
Extension
.k25
Container
Proprietary Kodak Raw (TIFF-based variant)
Compression
Uncompressed / Proprietary Lossless
Algorithm
Proprietary Kodak Compression
Color Depth
10-bit, 12-bit (Per Channel)
Developed by
Eastman Kodak Company
Released
1996
Magic Bytes
Varies (Often resembles TIFF header 49 49 2A 00 or requires proprietary parsing)
Sony SRF Raw Image
image/x-sony-srf
Extension
.srf
Container
TIFF-based (Proprietary)
Compression
Uncompressed
Algorithm
None
Color Depth
12-bit (Per Channel)
Developed by
Sony Corporation
Released
2003
Magic Bytes
49 49 2A 00
Browser Support Comparison
| Browser | Kodak-K25 | Sony-SRF |
|---|---|---|
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✕ | ✕ |
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✕ | ✕ |
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✕ | ✕ |
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✕ | ✕ |
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✕ | ✕ |
Kodak-K25
Kodak-K25 Strengths
- Historically significant format tied to the first digital camera to adopt CompactFlash memory
- Preserves original raw sensor data, allowing modern demosaicing algorithms (via LibRaw) to extract much better image quality than 1996-era software could
Limitations
- Completely obsolete and deeply proprietary, lacking modern raw format features found in DNG
- Cannot be natively viewed in web browsers or standard operating system image viewers without specialized decoders
- Subject to misidentification by automated MIME detection libraries due to structural similarities with standard TIFFs
Sony-SRF
Sony-SRF Strengths
- Retains perfectly raw, unprocessed sensor data from legacy early-2000s cameras, allowing modern raw processors to extract much better dynamic range and color than the camera's original internal JPEG engine could
- Utilizes a standard TIFF container structure, ensuring broad compatibility with community-maintained open-source decoding libraries like LibRaw
Limitations
- Completely obsolete format that has long been abandoned in favor of ARW
- MIME detection via magic bytes is unreliable due to TIFF header spoofing, requiring deeper EXIF inspection for accurate routing
- Cannot be natively viewed in web browsers or standard operating system image viewers without specialized decoders
When to choose which format
Kodak-K25
Use Kodak-K25 when…
- Vintage Digital Photography Archival
- Kodak DC25 Camera Restorations
- Historical Imaging Research
Sony-SRF
Use Sony-SRF when…
- Legacy Sony Cyber-shot Photography
- Non-destructive Image Post-Processing
- Early 2000s Raw Imaging Archival