Introduction
In recent years, video production has increasingly adopted higher resolutions such as 4K and 8K, as well as high frame rates and HDR. RAW video offers greater flexibility for post-production and color grading, but its large file sizes can be a challenge.
To balance image quality and storage efficiency, various RAW formats and codecs are widely used in professional video production.
In this article, we will briefly compare the key features and data sizes of popular formats, including Sony X-OCN, Nikon N-RAW, RED R3D NE, Blackmagic RAW, and Apple ProRes.
Uncompressed RAW
With uncompressed RAW, 8K at 60 fps and 16-bit color would require:
7680 × 4320 × 16 bits × 60 = 4 GB/s
This results in approximately 240 GB of data per minute, placing a very heavy burden on storage capacity and data transfer.
X-OCN
X-OCN is a video format developed by SONY, designed to provide high-quality images for professional video production.
It can preserve a high level of color information and detail and can record 16-bit scene-linear data.
There are four types of X-OCN, with the compression ratio increasing as you move down the list:
- X-OCN ST
- X-OCN LT
- X-OCN C1
- X-OCN C2
N-RAW
N-RAW is Nikon's proprietary 12-bit RAW format.
It offers two image-quality settings:
- N-RAW High
- N-RAW Normal
R3D NE
R3D NE provides a wide dynamic range of more than 15 stops, rich 12-bit tonal gradation, and RED's distinctive color reproduction.
It is recorded using Log3G10 / REDWideGamutRGB, making it highly suitable for color grading and providing excellent flexibility in post-production.
Apple ProRes 4444
Apple ProRes 4444 is a high-quality video codec developed by Apple and is well optimized for Mac-based workflows, including Final Cut Pro. Apple ProRes 4444 XQ is the highest-quality version. It is visually lossless, but its data rate and storage requirements are significantly higher.
Blackmagic RAW
Blackmagic RAW is a proprietary RAW codec developed by Blackmagic Design for high-quality video recording.
It offers relatively small file sizes while maintaining high image quality and flexibility, and it works particularly well with DaVinci Resolve.
Summary
| Format | Color Sampling | Bit Depth | Approx. Bitrate (4K30p) | Approx. Storage per Hour (4K30p) | Tonal Levels | Colors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uncompressed RAW | - | 12-bit | Approx. 3,185 Mbps | 1.43 TB | 4,096 | Approx. 68.1 billion |
| Uncompressed RAW | - | 16-bit | Approx. 4,247 Mbps | 1.91 TB | 65,536 | Approx. 281 trillion |
| X-OCN C1 | - | 16-bit | Approx. 360 Mbps | 162 GB | 65,536 | Approx. 281 trillion |
| X-OCN C2 | - | 16-bit | Approx. 290 Mbps | 131 GB | 65,536 | Approx. 281 trillion |
| X-OCN LT | - | 16-bit | Approx. 486 Mbps | 219 GB | 65,536 | Approx. 281 trillion |
| X-OCN ST | - | 16-bit | Approx. 825 Mbps | 371 GB | 65,536 | Approx. 281 trillion |
| R3D NE | - | 12-bit | Approx. 860 Mbps | 387 GB | 4,096 | Approx. 68.7 billion |
| N-RAW Normal | - | 12-bit | Approx. 450 Mbps | 202 GB | 4,096 | Approx. 68.7 billion |
| N-RAW High | - | 12-bit | Approx. 860 Mbps | 387 GB | 4,096 | Approx. 68.7 billion |
| BRAW 5:1 | - | 12-bit | Approx. 656 Mbps | 295 GB | 4,096 | Approx. 68.7 billion |
| BRAW 8:1 | - | 12-bit | Approx. 408 Mbps | 184 GB | 4,096 | Approx. 68.7 billion |
| BRAW 12:1 | - | 12-bit | Approx. 280 Mbps | 126 GB | 4,096 | Approx. 68.7 billion |
| Apple ProRes 4444 | — | 12-bit | Approx. 1,320 Mbps | 594 GB | 4,096 | Approx. 68.7 billion |
| Apple ProRes 4444 XQ | — | 12-bit | Approx. 2,000 Mbps | 900 GB | 4,096 | Approx. 68.7 billion |
| XAVC HS 4K (H.265, Long GOP) | 4:2:2 | 10-bit | Approx. 200 Mbps | 90 GB | 1,024 | Approx. 1.07 billion |
| XAVC S-I (H.264, All-I) | 4:2:2 | 10-bit | Approx. 240 Mbps | 108 GB | 1,024 | Approx. 1.07 billion |