Apple updates digital camera raw compatibility

Apple has released an update that adds raw image compatibility for a few new models of Konica, Olympus, Panasonic, Samsung, and Sony cameras. The update allows the raw format from the cameras to be imported and handled in both Aperture 3 and iPhoto '11. The update requires OS X 10.6.5 or later, and can be downloaded from here.

The specific cameras that this update provides support for are the following, so if you have one or have recently purchased one, then with this update you will now be able to use its raw format with either iPhoto or Aperture (see this knowledgebase article for a full list of supported raw devices):

• Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200
• Olympus PEN E-P3
• Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G3
• Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GF3
• Samsung NX11
• Samsung NX100
• Sony Alpha NEX-C3
• Sony Alpha SLT-A35

Unlike rendered image formats that represent levels of color in a grid, the raw format is raw sensor image data for the camera, which can be odd combinations of pixel array layouts for the various colors in the sensor, which can be different for each make and model of camera. As a result, there is no one raw format that will work for all camera systems, and support for each will need to be supplied with regular updates.

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