AVIF vs Sony RAW (SR2): Which Should You Use?

Side-by-side comparison of AVIF and Sony RAW (SR2) image formats — features, pros, cons, and conversion options.

Quick Answer

AVIF is best for Modern web images with best size-to-quality ratio. Sony RAW (SR2) is best for Photography with older Sony Alpha and Cyber-shot cameras.

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

Sony RAW (SR2) Best for Photography with older Sony Alpha and Cyber-shot cameras

✓ Full sensor data preserved
✓ 12-bit color depth
✓ Legacy Sony compatibility
✗ Very large files

Convert Sony RAW (SR2) to AVIF →

Specs Comparison

Side-by-side technical comparison of AVIF and Sony RAW (SR2)

Feature	AVIF	Sony RAW (SR2)
Category	Image	Image
Year Introduced	2019	2004
MIME Type	image/avif	image/x-sony-sr2
Extensions	.avif	.sr2
Animation	✓	✗
Hdr	✓	✓
Lossless	✓	✓
Lossy	✓	✗
Max Color Depth	12-bit	12-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

Sony RAW (SR2)

Pros

✓ Full sensor data preserved
✓ 12-bit color depth
✓ Legacy Sony compatibility

Cons

✗ Very large files
✗ Legacy format (superseded by ARW)
✗ Older cameras only

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 Sony RAW (SR2) when...

You need files optimized for Photography with older Sony Alpha and Cyber-shot cameras
Full sensor data preserved
12-bit color depth
You need lossless quality

How to Convert

Convert between AVIF and Sony RAW (SR2) for free on ChangeThisFile

Convert Sony RAW (SR2) to AVIF Server-side conversion — auto-deleted after processing

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between AVIF and Sony RAW (SR2)?

AVIF is best for Modern web images with best size-to-quality ratio, while Sony RAW (SR2) is best for Photography with older Sony Alpha and Cyber-shot cameras. Both are image formats but they differ in compression, compatibility, and intended use cases.

Is AVIF or Sony RAW (SR2) better for image?

It depends on your use case. AVIF is better for Modern web images with best size-to-quality ratio. Sony RAW (SR2) is better for Photography with older Sony Alpha and Cyber-shot cameras. Consider your specific requirements when choosing between them.

How do I convert AVIF to Sony RAW (SR2)?

Direct conversion from AVIF to Sony RAW (SR2) is not currently available on ChangeThisFile. You may need to use an intermediate format.

Can I convert Sony RAW (SR2) to AVIF?

Yes. ChangeThisFile supports Sony RAW (SR2) to AVIF conversion. Upload your file for server-side conversion — files are auto-deleted after processing.

Which is smaller, AVIF or Sony RAW (SR2)?

File size depends on the content and compression settings. AVIF uses lossy compression for smaller files. Sony RAW (SR2) 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 Sony RAW (SR2) does not. This may be important depending on your use case.

Is AVIF or Sony RAW (SR2) free to use?

Both AVIF and Sony RAW (SR2) 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 Sony RAW (SR2)?

AVIF is newer — it was introduced in 2019, while Sony RAW (SR2) dates back to 2004. Newer formats often offer better compression and features, but older formats tend to have wider compatibility.