Feature request support AVIF images

DxO PhotoLab Feature requests
1

Please add support for exporting RAWS to AVIF images to PhotoLab.

I’m running into this format more and more often.

After looking up its background today to find out why I’m seeing it (and why I want to be able to see it in PhotoLab), I found out that it’s actually an amazing and very powerful and very fast-growing image format pioneered by Netflix to help mitigate their bandwidth headaches while actually dramatically increasing image quality.

This format is not an esoteric, rare format, but has over 95% compatibility and support in browsers and devices today.

From a photography viewpoint, it would be the perfect format to export RAWS too, since it supports 8, 10, and 12-bit formats, all with much smaller sizes and far higher perceptual quality than JPEG, WebP, or even HEIC.

For reference: Should AVIF be the dominant image format on the web? - Tim Severien

Thank you very much!

2

Welcome to the forum.
Which camera do you have in mind?
AFAIK, currently no camera uses AVIF compression for raws, but maybe I’m wrong.

1 Like
3

I said AVIF format for exporting photos from RAWS. AVIF is not a raw format, but rather a replacement for the final master photos instead of JPEG.

JPEG was good for its time, but is now a dated, inefficient, low-quality, and wasteful technology with only 8-bit color, from the early 1990s.

AVIF is the most widely supported modern technology for photos in the world today.

Any competitive image processing program should offer the ability to export in AVIF format for the final images, especially to export the final images with 10-bit color or 12-bit color instead of merely the 8-bit color that JPEG supports.

Just imagine being able to enjoy your wedding photos 50 years from now with 10-bit color instead of 8-bit color of JPEG.

Your grandchildren would be so thankful.

JPEG is like VHS videos compared to H.265 videos.

4

Thank you for your welcome to the forum! I am excited to help!

5

For comparable processing, there wouldn’t be any noticeable difference, I’m afraid. AVIF is mostly about size/quality. You can always use 16-bit TIFFs (though they are mostly “effectively” 10-14 bits, depending on obvious things :slight_smile: )

OK, we’ve got one more here…

another one.
This all looks like some kind of syndrome. Hmm.

My advice is not to be too excited about new technologies, unless they are mature enough, and filter out marketing stuff. For example, see what has happened to JPEG2000. Just take one step back for a global view.

Sure, if AVIF wasn’t outdated by that time.

EDIT: Overall, AVIF support would be welcomed by me, with a very low priority.

6

Hi - I changed this topic’s category so that it is labeled as a feature request and can be voted for. If you want AVIF support, add your vote at the top by clicking on the Vote button.

7

I’m not sure what I would be voting for. There are so many options in AVIF. “AVIF support” sounds to me even more vague than “DNG support”. The devil is in the details, as usual, i.e. various options. While AVIF looks promising as next-generation JPEGs, some big companies are still to decide. Switching from FullHD to 4K will surely make a difference for most users, but is it true for switching from 8-bit to 10-bit color channels? Is getting images 20% smaller worth the effort, while old standards are so widely adopted?

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8

There are several competing candidates for a successor to classic JPG. The jury seems to still be out as to which one (more than one?) will end up being the consensus pick. I thought it would be interesting to ask Google search AI to summarize with a table (attached). This is probably oversimplified; as @Wlodek notes, there are many options in how these can be used.
Image compression comparison.docx (17.7 KB)

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9

And a comparison from OpenAI.
Image compression comparison 2.docx (17.1 KB)

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10

Thank you so much for your help! Sorry for not being able to reply yet. I had reached the max replies after replying twice to this thread, because I was a newly registered user, and so I had to wait 24 hours before being able to reply again and say thank you! I apologize for the delay, and thank you again so much!!

11

The reason I vote for it! AI explains it all and this AI reply is very accurate!

Yes, AVIF is becoming very popular and is widely considered a state-of-the-art image format for the web due to its excellent quality and smaller file sizes, outperforming older formats like JPEG and even the newer WebP in many cases. While support is still growing, all major browsers now support it, and its adoption is increasing rapidly, making it a strong contender to become a web standard for image optimization.

Why AVIF is popular:

  • Superior Quality:

It offers higher image quality compared to formats like JPEG, and even WebP.

  • Smaller File Sizes:

AVIF uses the AV1 video codec, achieving higher compression ratios, which leads to significantly smaller file sizes and faster website loading times.

  • Advanced Features:

It supports advanced features such as High Dynamic Range (HDR), Wide Color Gamut (WCG), and transparency, providing more vibrant and detailed images.

  • Open and Royalty-Free:

The AV1 codec is open-source and royalty-free, making AVIF an attractive and cost-effective option for developers.

  • Growing Support:

All major web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari) now support AVIF, with its usage increasing across content management systems and platforms.

How it compares to other formats:

AVIF offers superior quality and smaller file sizes, making it a better choice for modern web use.

While WebP was a significant improvement, AVIF generally surpasses it in terms of both image quality and file size reduction.

AVIF provides much better compression and quality for animated images, dramatically reducing file sizes compared to the legacy GIF format.

The Future of AVIF:

Given its advantages and backing from major tech companies, AVIF is expected to become a standard for image optimization as support continues to expand across the web. While older formats will remain for a while, AVIF represents the current “state of the art” in web image compression.

1 Like
12

You don’t mention JPEG XL which is yet another format getting enthusiastic backing. Not to mention HEIC/HEIF which hasn’t made it much beyond Apple systems.

Me, I’m sticking with good old fashioned JPEG for now.

That’s the great thing about standards. There are so many to choose from. :slightly_smiling_face:

13

OK I asked AI again and this is the reply:

No, JPEG XL is not yet considered a popular format for general web use, mainly due to a lack of widespread support from major browser vendors like Chrome and the broader ecosystem, despite its technical advantages in image quality and file size reduction. While it has support from some software like Adobe, Serif, and on certain operating systems including Linux, macOS, and iOS 17, the lack of a full default implementation in leading browsers has significantly slowed its adoption.

Reasons for Slow Adoption

  • Browser Support:

Google removed support for JPEG XL from its Chrome browser in 2022, citing insufficient ecosystem interest and focusing on improving existing formats.

  • Ecosystem Interest:

A lack of broader adoption across the entire web ecosystem has made it difficult for JPEG XL to gain traction.

  • Operational Burden:

The decision by Chrome to remove the format also reduces the burden on developers to maintain experimental code.

Areas of Support and Potential

  • Software:

JPEG XL is gaining support in image authoring software like Adobe Photoshop, Affinity Photo (Serif Ltd.), Krita, and GIMP.

  • Operating Systems:

It is supported on Linux, macOS (including preview and the Preview app), and iOS/iPadOS.

  • Content Platforms:

Platforms like The Guardian, Flickr, and SmugMug have expressed support for the format.

Benefits of JPEG XL

  • Image Quality:

It offers visually lossless compression, preserving significantly more detail than the traditional JPEG format.

  • File Size:

JPEG XL files can be up to 55% smaller than standard JPEGs while maintaining higher quality.

  • Advanced Features:

The format supports alpha transparency, high dynamic range (HDR), and animation, which are not possible with the original JPEG.

[image]

In summary, while JPEG XL offers superior technical capabilities, its potential is hindered by a lack of widespread default support in major browsers, leading to slower adoption than formats like WebP or AVIF.

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14

I don’t trust AI answers or the people that quote them to me.

I mentioned JPEG XL and HEIC/HEIF merely as examples of the “next great thing” that, so far, have failed to gain critical mass.

P.S. The arguments given against JPEG XL adoption also apply to AVIF. :slightly_smiling_face:

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15

OK show me the errors!

It’s just tech facts checking that works perfect in 2025!

16

Yup. But when you don’t have a mind of your own, or the intellect to research yourself…

Mind you, AI is already coming back to bite people with incorrect or outdated information or advice.

Or has everyone forgotten 2001: A Space Odyssey…

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17

That’s utterly nonsense! I have a Web Design company for more then 15 years! I know what images are replacing the webp with JPG fallback images and it is “AVIF” extension.

And AI explained perfectly why. I could all do it my self but this saved me at least 15 min. and I only have to copy paste. The times that not accurate messages are appearing is all most over! And I always check it of course!

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18

You are as much in error with this statement of yours as AI often is.

19

Just show us the errors!

You have to excuse me now I have a business to run and don’t have time to lurk around this forum all day and like you respond in a negative way to all stuff that appears on the forum.

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20

You seem to rely on AI as your source of info. Seems like that would be an obvious conflict of interest.