K25 (Kodak DC25 Raw Image)
A raw snapshot from 1996 that captured what early digital cameras saw before any processing touched the pixels.
| Full name | Kodak DC25 Raw Image |
| Extension | .k25 |
| MIME type | image/x-kodak-k25 |
| Developer | Eastman Kodak Company |
| Released | 1996 |
| Type | Proprietary RAW image |
| Max resolution | 493 x 373 pixels (high), 320 x 240 pixels (standard) |
| Color depth | 24-bit |
What is a K25 file?
K25 is the proprietary RAW image format produced by the Kodak DC25 digital camera, released in 1996. The format stores sensor data before any in-camera processing, preserving the original pixel values as the CCD captured them. It predates modern RAW standards by years and has had no active support from Kodak since the DC25 was discontinued.
A K25 file holds unprocessed image data read directly from the Kodak DC25 camera sensor. High-resolution captures are 140,352 bytes; standard-resolution files are 77,888 bytes. The data uses a Bayer color filter array pattern, the same mosaic approach used in virtually all digital camera sensors today. Because the file skips in-camera JPEG compression, it retains more tonal detail than a JPEG from the same camera would, though the DC25's CCD resolution was modest by any modern measure.
History
Kodak announced the DC25 on September 17, 1996, and it became notable as the first consumer digital camera to use CompactFlash removable memory cards. The camera produced two proprietary file types: K25 for unprocessed sensor data and KDC for processed images. Kodak dropped support for both formats when the DC25 was discontinued, and neither format has received any official update or extension since.
How it works
K25 files have a fixed binary structure tied to the DC25 hardware. High-resolution files are exactly 140,352 bytes and standard-resolution files are exactly 77,888 bytes, which makes format identification straightforward. The raw Bayer data is stored without a header in the conventional sense used by modern RAW formats like TIFF-based CR2 or DNG. There is no embedded JPEG preview, so software must fully decode the Bayer mosaic to display the image.
What it is used for
- Recovering and archiving photographs taken with a Kodak DC25 camera in the 1990s
- Digitization projects converting old proprietary RAW files to modern formats like JPEG or PNG
- Historical and educational research into early consumer digital camera technology
- Photography collections cataloging the output of first-generation digital cameras
How to open it
XnViewMP and IrfanView can open K25 files on Windows and macOS. The open-source dcraw utility and libraries built on it, such as LibRaw, also support the format on Linux and other platforms.
Pros and cons
Strengths
- Stores unprocessed sensor data with no lossy JPEG compression applied
- Fixed file sizes make format detection and validation straightforward
- Supported by dcraw and LibRaw, which are available on all major operating systems
- Represents an authentic record of what the DC25 sensor captured, useful for historical documentation
Trade-offs
- Resolution is very low by modern standards โ a maximum of 493 x 373 pixels
- No modern software opens K25 files natively without a RAW decoder plugin or library
- No embedded preview, so browsing large collections requires full decoding of every file
- Kodak has provided no support, updates, or documentation for the format since the DC25 was discontinued
Convert K25 files
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K25 FAQ
What camera produced K25 files?
The Kodak DC25, a consumer digital camera released in September 1996. It was one of the first cameras to use CompactFlash memory cards and stored raw sensor output as K25 files alongside processed KDC files.
Can I open a K25 file on a modern computer?
Yes, but you need software with RAW decoding support. XnViewMP, IrfanView, and Corel AfterShot Pro can open K25 files. The free dcraw command-line tool and libraries based on it, such as LibRaw, also handle the format.
What is the difference between K25 and KDC files from Kodak cameras?
Both formats came from Kodak digital cameras, but they are distinct. K25 is specific to the DC25 and stores raw Bayer sensor data. KDC is a processed image format used across a wider range of Kodak cameras, similar in concept to a proprietary JPEG variant. KDC is more widely supported by modern software.
How do I convert a K25 file to JPEG or PNG?
Use an online converter or install a desktop tool like XnViewMP, which can batch-export K25 files to JPEG, PNG, or other common formats. The dcraw command-line tool on Linux and macOS can also decode K25 and pipe the output to another encoder.