Has RAW Video Finally Gone Mainstream?

Opinion

by Omri Keren LapidotFebruary 3^rd, 2025

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RAW video is nothing new. It’s been around for years, with arguably the first RAW-capable hybrid camera being the “original” Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera announced in 2013. Since then, we’ve seen a slow but inconsistent trickling of RAW video functionality into the higher end of what may be considered mainstream hybrid cameras. However, including a certain feature in a mainstream product is not enough to make the feature mainstream. Here’s why.

Over the years, we’ve seen quite a few innovative features come and go. Camera manufacturers always try to introduce new features, specs, and ways of interacting with our photographic tools. Some stick, some drop, some just hang. When it comes to RAW video, the mere presence of the feature in the camera menu is just a small part of what it takes for it to truly become mainstream.

RAW requirements

RAW files are massive. While still photography managed the added weight, when it comes to motion capture the numbers soar. Even lower resolution is multiplied by at least 24 frames per second, making every aspect of the process much more demanding. This means higher-capacity memory cards (or external SSDs). The media must also support high, consistent write speed. It also affects our workstation back at the studio with higher demands on available storage space, read/write speeds, and adequate RAW support from our editing software.

Times change, tech changes

Nothing stays still. Not time, nor tech. As we progress, we witness a significant rise in writing speed, in-camera processing, and capture media storage capacity. As this happens, we see significant price drops for storage space, SSD drives, and high-end CFExpress memory cards. These accumulated circumstances lead to a fertile ground for RAW video workflows. Last year, there was also some significant news regarding RAW-capable hybrid cameras priced lower than ever before.

2024 saw the launch of two moderately priced, internal RAW video-capable hybrid cameras. The Nikon Z6III at about $2500 and the sub-$2K Panasonic LUMIX GH7

While no specific piece of gear can single-handedly make RAW video a mass-market, mainstream feature, the sum of all these parts just might. Before concluding, we can also include the various external RAW video recording options. FUJIFILM offers such features in some of their most affordable cameras, say the $1,300 X-S20. Just plug in an ATOMOS Ninja or a Blackmagic Video Assist recording monitor, and you’re good to go. This method of RAW recording isn’t limited to FUJIFILM’s cameras, of course. However, not all cameras offer the same level of compatibility, so make sure you look into it before buying. These solutions, while economically efficient, are quite cumbersome and won’t work for every scenario, so internal recording cameras are a significant piece of that puzzle.

One more question

As with all new tech, RAW video must face the eternal question – why do we need that? Many of us have managed perfectly well without RAW video, so why should we now burden our workstations, memory cards, and budgets with it? Well, for the same reason we’ve moved from 8-bit to 10-bit, from FHD to 4K (then 6K and 8K…) – because we can.

As the premium required for RAW video is lower than ever we’ll see more beginners adopting it. Those who aren’t as confident in their ability to capture perfect footage will gain the most, but they will also contribute to the “mainstreamization” of RAW video shooting by making it a professional standard. If the newbies are doing it, the Pros will probably follow, if only for the sake of a professional facade.

Do you think RAW video should be considered mainstream now, or is it still a niche practice? Let us know in the comments.