About RAF Files
Fujifilm RAW
RAF is the RAW image format used by Fujifilm cameras, containing unprocessed sensor data with Fujifilm color science.
Family
Raster & Vector Images
Extension
.raf
MIME Type
image/x-fuji-raf
Can Use As
HOW RAF
CAME TO BE.
RAF — Raw Fujifilm — shipped in 2003 as the raw format for Fujifilm’s Super CCD sensors. Unlike most competitors, Fuji’s sensors use an unusual pixel arrangement (the X-Trans pattern since 2012, replacing Bayer’s traditional RGGB grid), which makes RAF files harder to demosaic than a typical raw. Adobe Camera Raw spent years improving their X-Trans algorithm; Capture One and Iridient Developer emerged as favored alternatives.
Fujifilm built a cult following among photographers who love the company’s film simulations — digital renderings of classic Fujichrome and Velvia stocks. RAF files carry the recipe of which simulation was applied at capture, but the actual film-curve magic happens inside Fuji’s X Raw Studio software. Getting non-Fuji tools to match the look has been a decade-long cat-and-mouse game.
CURIOSITIES &
TRIVIA.
Fuji's X-Trans sensor uses a 6×6 pixel pattern (vs Bayer's 2×2) — harder to demosaic but reduces moiré without a low-pass filter.
Film simulations (Velvia, Astia, Classic Chrome, Acros) are baked as recipes in RAF files — applying them in third-party tools never perfectly matches Fuji's X Raw Studio.
The GFX medium-format bodies also write RAF — same extension, much larger sensor data (102 MP on the GFX 100 II).
RAF files contain an embedded JPEG preview at full resolution, which is what EVF and camera playback actually display.
Fuji photographers famously argue about whether Capture One or Iridient's X-Trans processing looks more natural.
STRENGTHS &
LIMITATIONS.
Strengths
- Full 14-bit (most bodies) or 16-bit (GFX) sensor data.
- Film simulation recipe stored in metadata.
- X-Trans sensor produces distinctive moiré-free rendering.
- Supports every classic Fuji film-simulation look.
Limitations
- X-Trans demosaicing is the hardest raw problem to solve cleanly.
- Third-party tools rarely match Fuji's own rendering.
- Proprietary with no official spec.
- GFX RAF files are massive (150+ MB per shot).
Typical Sizes & Weights
26 MP RAF (X-T4, X-T5)
40-55 MB
40 MP RAF (X-H2, X-T5 40MP)
60-80 MB
102 MP RAF (GFX 100 II)
150-220 MB
Technical Specifications
- MIME type
- image/x-fuji-raf
- Extension
- .raf
- Container
- Fujifilm proprietary TIFF-like
- Sensor arrays
- X-Trans (APS-C), Bayer (GFX medium-format)
- Bit depth
- 14-bit (X-series); 16-bit (GFX)
CONVERT FROM
RAF
Common Use Cases
Fujifilm X-series photography
Related Formats
Popular comparisons
RAF vs JPG
Differences, file size, and when to choose each format.
RAF vs PNG
Differences, file size, and when to choose each format.
RAF vs WEBP
Differences, file size, and when to choose each format.
RAF vs AVIF
Differences, file size, and when to choose each format.
RAF vs GIF
Differences, file size, and when to choose each format.
RAF vs BMP
Differences, file size, and when to choose each format.
Popular RAF conversions
The most-requested destinations when starting from RAF.
Frequently Asked Questions about RAF
Frequently Asked Questions
RAF (Fujifilm RAW) is an image format used to store raster graphics — a two-dimensional grid of pixels describing a picture. It is part of the raster & vector images family and designed around a specific trade-off between file size, visual fidelity, and feature support (transparency, colour depth, compression type). Photographers, web designers, and content creators choose RAF when its particular strengths match the publishing target.
Most desktop photo viewers (Windows Photos, macOS Preview, GIMP, Photoshop, Affinity Photo) open RAF natively. On mobile, iOS Photos and Google Photos display RAF in the gallery when supported by the OS. If the format is rare or new, convert to JPG or PNG first — both are universally readable — using our RAF to JPG or RAF to PNG converter.
Upload the RAF to KaijuConverter and pick a target format (JPG, PNG, WebP, HEIC, TIFF, BMP, SVG, PDF). The conversion runs in the browser via ImageMagick and returns a download in seconds. No account or installation required; both input and output delete automatically within two hours.
It depends on the task. JPG is the smallest file size for photographs; PNG is lossless with transparency; RAF has its own niche that may favour colour depth, animation, or encoding efficiency over one or both of those. For the final web publish, test all three and measure file size plus visible quality on real content.