AVIF vs Phase One RAW: Which Should You Use?

Side-by-side comparison of AVIF and Phase One RAW image formats — features, pros, cons, and conversion options.

Quick Answer

AVIF is best for Modern web images with best size-to-quality ratio. Phase One RAW is best for Professional photography with Phase One medium format digital backs.

Quick Verdict

AVIF Best for Modern web images with best size-to-quality ratio

✓ Best compression for images
✓ Supports lossy and lossless
✓ HDR and wide color gamut
✗ Slow encoding

Phase One RAW Best for Professional photography with Phase One medium format digital backs

✓ Highest quality medium format RAW
✓ 16-bit color depth
✓ Exceptional dynamic range
✗ Extremely large files

Convert Phase One RAW to AVIF →

Specs Comparison

Side-by-side technical comparison of AVIF and Phase One RAW

Feature	AVIF	Phase One RAW
Category	Image	Image
Year Introduced	2019	2009
MIME Type	image/avif	image/x-phaseone-iiq
Extensions	.avif	.iiq
Animation	✓	✗
Hdr	✓	✓
Lossless	✓	✓
Lossy	✓	✗
Max Color Depth	12-bit	16-bit
Transparency	✓	✗

Pros & Cons

AVIF

Pros

✓ Best compression for images
✓ Supports lossy and lossless
✓ HDR and wide color gamut

Cons

✗ Slow encoding
✗ Limited editor support
✗ Newer format with growing adoption

Phase One RAW

Pros

✓ Highest quality medium format RAW
✓ 16-bit color depth
✓ Exceptional dynamic range

Cons

✗ Extremely large files
✗ Phase One cameras only
✗ Requires Capture One software

When to Use Each

Choose AVIF when...

You need files optimized for Modern web images with best size-to-quality ratio
Best compression for images
Supports lossy and lossless
You need lossless quality

Choose Phase One RAW when...

You need files optimized for Professional photography with Phase One medium format digital backs
Highest quality medium format RAW
16-bit color depth
You need lossless quality

How to Convert

Convert between AVIF and Phase One RAW for free on ChangeThisFile

Convert Phase One RAW to AVIF Server-side conversion — auto-deleted after processing

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between AVIF and Phase One RAW?

AVIF is best for Modern web images with best size-to-quality ratio, while Phase One RAW is best for Professional photography with Phase One medium format digital backs. Both are image formats but they differ in compression, compatibility, and intended use cases.

Is AVIF or Phase One RAW better for image?

It depends on your use case. AVIF is better for Modern web images with best size-to-quality ratio. Phase One RAW is better for Professional photography with Phase One medium format digital backs. Consider your specific requirements when choosing between them.

How do I convert AVIF to Phase One RAW?

Direct conversion from AVIF to Phase One RAW is not currently available on ChangeThisFile. You may need to use an intermediate format.

Can I convert Phase One RAW to AVIF?

Yes. ChangeThisFile supports Phase One RAW to AVIF conversion. Upload your file for server-side conversion — files are auto-deleted after processing.

Which is smaller, AVIF or Phase One RAW?

File size depends on the content and compression settings. AVIF uses lossy compression for smaller files. Phase One RAW preserves full quality. For the smallest files, choose the format with lossy compression that meets your quality needs.

Does AVIF support animation?

Yes, AVIF supports animation, but Phase One RAW does not. This may be important depending on your use case.

Is AVIF or Phase One RAW free to use?

Both AVIF and Phase One RAW are supported file formats that are free to use. You can convert between them for free on ChangeThisFile — server-side conversions are free with no signup required.

Which format is newer, AVIF or Phase One RAW?

AVIF is newer — it was introduced in 2019, while Phase One RAW dates back to 2009. Newer formats often offer better compression and features, but older formats tend to have wider compatibility.