Image MIME Reference
Kodak-K25
Kodak K25 Raw Image
image/x-kodak-k25
VS
X Bitmap (Legacy MIME Alias)
image/x-xbm
XBM
A complete technical comparison of Kodak K25 Raw Image and X Bitmap (Legacy MIME Alias) — covering compression, feature support, browser compatibility, magic bytes, and when to choose each format.
Equal browser support
Feature Support
| Feature | Kodak-K25 | XBM |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency (Alpha) | ✕ No | Yes |
| Animation Support | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| Progressive Loading | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| HDR Support | Yes | ✕ No |
| EXIF Metadata | Yes | ✕ No |
| ICC Color Profile | ✕ No | ✕ No |
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)
X Bitmap (Legacy MIME Alias)
image/x-xbm
Extension
.xbm
Container
C Source Code Header (.h)
Compression
Uncompressed (Source Code)
Algorithm
None
Color Depth
1-bit (Monochrome)
Developed by
MIT / X Consortium (X Window System)
Released
1988
Magic Bytes
23 64 65 66 69 6e 65 (ASCII '#define')
Browser Support Comparison
| Browser | Kodak-K25 | XBM |
|---|---|---|
Chrome
|
✕ | ✕ |
Firefox
|
✕ | ✕ |
Safari
|
✕ | ✕ |
Edge
|
✕ | ✕ |
IE (Legacy)
|
✕ |
✓
|
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
XBM
XBM Strengths
- Can be compiled directly into C or C++ source code without needing an external file loader or binary asset manager
- Human-readable structure allows developers to inspect, edit, or hand-craft tiny icons directly within a text editor
- Extremely predictable and lightweight for 1-bit hardware displays and embedded systems
Limitations
- Strictly limited to 1-bit monochrome (black and white) graphics with no gray or color support
- Text-based C syntax creates massive file bloat compared to binary 1-bit formats like PBM
- Completely deprecated in modern web browsers and desktop GUI frameworks
When to choose which format
Kodak-K25
Use Kodak-K25 when…
- Vintage Digital Photography Archival
- Kodak DC25 Camera Restorations
- Historical Imaging Research
XBM
Use XBM when…
- X Window System (X11) Cursors and Icons
- Embedded C/C++ Firmware UI Assets
- Early 1990s Unix Web Graphics