Best Cameras For Apple Prores Raw Output

Apple ProRes RAW is a codec technology developed by Apple that combines the benefits of RAW video with the performance of ProRes. It allows users to record, edit, and grade RAW video data straight from the camera sensor without slowing down the editing process. ProRes RAW also offers enhanced recording times, shortened data transfer times, and enriched metadata. It is designed for speed and ease of use, making it a popular choice for production companies and single owner-operators.

ProRes RAW is supported by a wide range of cameras from leading manufacturers, including Sony, Canon, Panasonic, Nikon, Z CAM, Olympus, Fujifilm, Leica, and Sigma. However, not all cameras can record ProRes RAW internally and may require an external recorder such as the Atomos Ninja V.

- Canon EOS C300 Mark II

- Canon EOS R6 Mark II

- Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III

- Panasonic LUMIX DC-BGH1

- Sony Alpha a1 (ILCE-1)

- Sony Alpha a7S III (ILCE-7SM3)

- Nikon Z8 and Z9

Cameras that support Apple ProRes RAW

Apple ProRes RAW is a codec technology developed by Apple, delivering the flexibility of RAW video with the performance of ProRes. It is ideal for high-dynamic-range (HDR) content creation and allows users to import, edit, and grade RAW data straight from the camera sensor without slowing down the editing process.

Apple ProRes RAW is supported by over 50 cameras from leading manufacturers, including:

• Canon (EOS R5, EOS R5 C, EOS R6 Mark II)
• Nikon (Z8, Z9)
• Sony (Alpha a1, Alpha 7CR, Alpha a7S III)
• Panasonic (LUMIX DC-BGH1, LUMIX S1H, VariCam LT)
• Olympus (OM-D E-M1 Mark III)
• Fujifilm (GFX 100)
• Z CAM (E2-M4, E2-S6, E2-F6)

These cameras offer a range of features, such as high-resolution sensors, UHD 4K video capabilities, dynamic range, and more.

In addition to the cameras mentioned above, there are also several third-party devices and software that support Apple ProRes RAW, including Atomos disk recorders, Adobe Premiere Pro, and DaVinci Resolve Studio.

Apple ProRes RAW provides enhanced recording times, improved data transfer speeds, and enriched metadata for various camera settings, making it a powerful tool for video production and post-production workflows.

Benefits of using Apple ProRes RAW

Apple ProRes RAW is a powerful codec that combines the benefits of the ProRes codec with the flexibility of RAW video. It offers a range of advantages over traditional video formats and other RAW formats, making it a popular choice for filmmakers and content creators.

One of the key benefits of Apple ProRes RAW is its ability to maintain original pristine sensor data. This ensures that key elements such as high dynamic range, wide colour gamut, bit depth, and resolution are captured accurately. It supports large resolutions or high frame rates, including 8Kp30, 6Kp60, 4K120p, and 2K240p. This makes it ideal for high-quality content creation, especially in High Dynamic Range (HDR).

Another advantage of Apple ProRes RAW is its enhanced codec efficiency. It uses a variable bit rate that adjusts based on image complexity, resulting in reduced file sizes compared to other RAW formats. This not only makes storage and data transfer more efficient but also allows for increased stream count for editing.

Apple ProRes RAW also provides greater latitude for post-production and grading. The increased amount of per-pixel information and the ability to adjust settings like exposure, white balance, ISO, and custom LUTs give editors more flexibility to manipulate the look of their video without slowing down their edit.

Additionally, Apple ProRes RAW simplifies the workflow by providing a streamlined pipeline with its new plug-in architecture. Manufacturers can now easily carry the unique imaging characteristics of their cameras into post-production, allowing editors to make camera-specific adjustments directly in Final Cut Pro.

Overall, Apple ProRes RAW offers superior performance in both playback and rendering, making it a popular choice for productions of all sizes, from large film productions to small owner-operated companies. Its combination of speed, quality, compact file sizes, and ease of use makes it a versatile format that can be adapted to most workflows.

Comparison of Apple ProRes RAW with other formats

Apple ProRes RAW is a codec technology developed by Apple that combines the benefits of RAW video with the performance of ProRes. It is ideal for High Dynamic Range (HDR) content creation and allows users to import, edit, and grade RAW data straight from the camera sensor without slowing down the editing process. ProRes RAW also offers maximum flexibility for adjusting the look of the video while extending brightness and shadows.

Compared to other raw formats, ProRes RAW provides faster rendering and exporting times and is optimized for macOS and Mac computers. The file sizes are smaller than standard formats, allowing more footage to be stored on cards. ProRes RAW is available in two compression levels: ProRes RAW and ProRes RAW HQ, with the latter providing higher quality at a higher data rate.

ProRes RAW brings the performance, quality, and ease of use of ProRes to raw video editing. It provides more control over image processing, including demosaicing, linear-to-log conversions, and custom LUTs. ProRes RAW is designed for speed and is highly flexible, supported by various editing software such as Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro, Avid, and Assimilate Scratch.

In contrast, the original ProRes codec was introduced by Apple in 2007 for high-quality, high-performance editing in Final Cut Pro. It is an intra-frame codec that applies compression to data within each frame, reducing the overall data rate. ProRes supports different data rates and resolutions, with ProRes422-variants using chroma subsampling of 4:2:2 at a 10-bit color depth. ProRes has become a standard for post-production and is widely used as a final format delivery method for HD broadcast files.

While ProRes RAW offers superior performance and flexibility for raw video editing, the standard ProRes codec is well-established and widely used in the industry, providing high-quality, visually lossless compression for conventional video editing and delivery.

How to use Apple ProRes RAW

Apple ProRes RAW is a codec technology that combines the benefits of RAW video with the real-time performance of ProRes. It allows users to record high-quality video in resolutions of up to 8K, while maintaining a small, edit-friendly file size. ProRes RAW is ideal for High Dynamic Range (HDR) content creation in Final Cut Pro, Motion, and Compressor.

To use Apple ProRes RAW, you'll need to have a compatible camera or video recorder that can capture RAW data straight from the camera sensor. You can then import, edit, and grade the video in post-production without slowing down your edit. ProRes RAW provides maximum flexibility for adjusting the look of your video while extending brightness and shadows.

When using ProRes RAW, you can choose between two compression levels: Apple ProRes RAW and Apple ProRes RAW HQ. Both options provide excellent results, with ProRes RAW HQ offering additional quality at a higher data rate. ProRes RAW files are designed to maintain constant quality and pristine image fidelity for all frames.

To view ProRes RAW files on your Mac, you'll need to install Pro Video Formats. You can then use QuickTime Player or Quick Look to view the files. Keep in mind that due to the high-dynamic-range data captured directly from the camera sensor, the footage may appear overexposed on your Mac display.

For exporting ProRes RAW files to other formats, you can use Final Cut Pro, Motion, or Compressor. However, you cannot export ProRes RAW to other formats using QuickTime Player. Additionally, with the Mac Pro (2019) and the Afterburner card, you can accelerate the decoding and playback of multiple streams of ProRes and Pro Res RAW video files for even better performance.

Apple ProRes RAW compatible devices

Apple ProRes RAW is a codec technology developed by Apple that can be used in Final Cut Pro, Motion, and Compressor. It allows users to import, edit, and grade video with RAW data straight from the camera sensor without slowing down the editing process.

Cameras

• Canon EOS C300 Mark II
• Canon EOS R5
• Canon EOS R5 C
• Canon EOS R6 Mark II
• Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
• Panasonic LUMIX DC-BGH1
• Panasonic VariCam LT
• Sony Alpha a1 (ILCE-1)
• Sony Alpha 7CR (ILCE-7CR)
• Sony Alpha a7S III (ILCE-7SM3)
• Sony PXW-FS5 / FS5M2
• Sony PXW-FS7 with XDCA-FX7
• Sony PXW-FX9 with XDCA-FX9
• Nikon Z6 II
• Sony FX6
• Nikon Z7 II
• Sony a7S III
• Fujifilm GFX 100S
• Sony a1
• Olympus OM-D E-M1X
• Sony PXW-FX9 XDCAM 6K
• Z CAM E2-M4
• Z CAM E2-S6
• Z CAM E2-F6
• Z CAM E2C
• Panasonic Lumix S1H
• Sony a7S III Raw Recording Kit
• Panasonic Lumix S5
• Sony XDCA-FX9 Extension Unit for PXW-FX9 Camera
• DJI Zenmuse X7
• Sigma fp
• Z CAM E2
• Z CAM E2-F8
• Panasonic AU-EVA1
• Fujifilm GFX 100
• Panasonic Cinema VariCam LT 4K S35
• Nikon Z8
• Nikon Z9

Recorders

• Atomos disk recorders
• Atomos Ninja V 5" 4K Recording Monitor

Software

• Final Cut Pro
• Adobe Premiere Pro
• Avid
• Assimilate Scratch

Frequently asked questions