Photographer Proposes New Image Format for Lumix Cameras
Reddit User Felix had an idea for a new Image Format for Lumix cameras. He asked Chatpgt to write a letter to send to Lumix. Let me know if you think his initiative is a good idea and if we should all copy past this to spam Lumix with this request :)
Subject: Feature request: New “High-Information Processed File” format for Lumix cameras
Hello Lumix team,
I’d like to propose a feature that could add significant value to photographers who enjoy the flexibility of RAW but also rely on color profiles and LUTs to guide their creative process directly in-camera.
Currently, RAW files do not retain the adjustments made through Photo Styles or Real-Time LUTs, while JPEG files do—but with the drawback of limited editing latitude. This creates a gap for photographers who want:
- to see their creative look applied directly in-camera while shooting
- and still keep more editing flexibility than a JPEG allows
- without the large file sizes and workflow heaviness of RAW
To address this, I’d like to suggest the creation of a new processed file format, something between JPEG and RAW—an alternative similar in spirit to TIFF or JPEG XL, but optimized for in-camera use.
What this format would ideally offer:
- Processed image using in-camera Photo Style or LUT
- Higher color depth than JPEG (10-bit would be amazing)
- Greater dynamic range retained compared to JPEG
- Smaller file size than RAW
- Editable enough to adjust exposure, color and contrast without heavy degradation
- Viewable instantly with the look applied (just like JPEG)
Essentially, a flexible “high-information JPEG” for photographers who want a ready-to-use image with more room to adjust in post.
Why this matters
This would bridge an important gap in the workflow:
- RAW → too large and ignores in-camera looks
- JPEG → fast and visually faithful, but editing-limited
- Proposed format → the best of both worlds
- creative intent baked in
- extra data preserved
- efficient file size
- faster delivery workflow
It could be similar to HEIF/HEIC, JPEG XL, or a proprietary Lumix format designed around 10-bit color depth and optimized compression.
As a Lumix user, I would use this feature extensively for portraits, events and commercial shoots—cases where I want to trust the look I dialed in the camera, but still need moderate flexibility in post-production.
What do you think…would this be useful feature for your workflow?
