Thanks for this article. I had no idea when I updated my iPhone to iOS 11, it automatically changed my photo setting to High Efficiency. I definitely don't want the HEIF option. You can clearly see the loss of detail in the examples. I usually use the Lightroom app to shoot in RAW, but sometimes I forget to use it. I always prefer the highest image quality possible.
Looks like teething problems with HEIF. I'm sure it's going to improve.
I was hoping that Apple would support RAW directly with iOS 11.
If they did, users would set it to RAW to take all of their photos and then complain when their storage is full. Apple is more concerned about customer satisfaction than offering better photos by default. They know that if users really care about photo quality, they'll download an app and shoot in RAW, for example.
Here's what I get out of the video: 1. Apple has done an impressive job of using a new file format to let users store photos on their phones using half the storage space. 2. Comparing zoomed in versions of photos using this new format side by side with standard JPEG shows virtually no difference. 3. True to its "it just works" philosophy, Apple automatically converts HEIF photos to JPEG whenever appropriate (copying to the desktop, sharing with friends, posting to social media, etc.) for compatibility purposes. 4. If you really want to be exposed to the annoying details and make things hard for yourself, there are workaround to prevent this conversion from happening and then you'll find that, in general, the world isn't ready for HEIF. 5. The normal user should/will use the new format without ever being aware of it and enjoying great photos and a little more free space on their phones, with no compatibility issues normally associated with a new format.
Looks like teething problems with HEIF. I'm sure it's going to improve.
I was hoping that Apple would support RAW directly with iOS 11.
If they did, users would set it to RAW to take all of their photos and then complain when their storage is full. Apple is more concerned about customer satisfaction than offering better photos by default. They know that if users really care about photo quality, they'll download an app and shoot in RAW, for example.
Apple could leave JPEG as the default and allow a RAW option for people who want it.
"Even though the new HEIF format loses some image quality, it's still very impressive for being almost two times smaller in size." Not a very impressive statement. Two times something means it is twice as big. Two times smaller makes no sense. Multiplying by .5 would be the proper term. Why not just say half the size? Your original statement is nonsense.
It is possible to have a -2x of anything. It's basic and valid arithmetic. Stop being an overly sensitive wise ass.
Please don't name call. His statement is correct. Unfortunately, English speakers often use nonsensical math when trying to describe a great reduction in something: 100 times less, 10 times smaller, 150% savings
It's the equivalent of being a grammar nazi or a spelling troll.
We actually need need more people correcting bad grammar, bad spelling, bad analagies, etc, not less. Or is it fewer? Crap.
Ironically (coincidentally?) your statement of -2x anything is possible is absolute nonsense further proving his point. If I have 100 of something and then I have -2X that, 100 x (-2) = -200. I'd have -200 of it. Wut?
So, staying on topic with the thread without derailing it further, some people may prefer to have their photos take up half the space at a sacrifice of some clarity. Personally, I'd rather have better pictures take up twice as much space because I hate blurry pictures. IMHO, of course.
"Even though the new HEIF format loses some image quality, it's still very impressive for being almost two times smaller in size." Not a very impressive statement. Two times something means it is twice as big. Two times smaller makes no sense. Multiplying by .5 would be the proper term. Why not just say half the size? Your original statement is nonsense.
It is possible to have a -2x of anything. It's basic and valid arithmetic. Stop being an overly sensitive wise ass.
He didn't say -2x. Two times smaller is not valid math. I am not overly sensitive. I may be a wise ass but I am not ignorant like you. Two time smaller originated as an stupid advertising term and now the uneducated think it is a valid mathematical term.
In photos -> Export unmodified original : does it give the original HEIF or does it still convert to JPG ?
I can't try it my iPhone 6 does not seems to be able to take photo in HEIF
In photos -> Export unmodified original : does it give the original HEIF or does it still convert to JPG ?
I can't try it my iPhone 6 does not seems to be able to take photo in HEIF
Using the Unmodified Original option will give you the HEIF version of the photo. Also, if it's a Live Photo it will also export the .MOV as a separate file and if you've chosen HEVC as your recording option that will be export as the codec you originally used.
I think many people here (including the gentleman in the video) have mistaken jpegs artefacts (the squares you get when you compress highly) for detail. JPEG artefacts can make you think there’s more detail when there isn’t. HEIF does not have these aftefacts. The so called “detail” illustrates just how destructive jpegs are. You’re actually getting a higher quality image, without the ‘scarring’ from jpeg. HEIF is better quality at smaller size. Give it some time, this will be industry standard, supported by all browsers an operating systems and you have Apple to thank!
One of the bigger image advantage of HEIF is the depth map. It means that you will be able to do portrait blur or correct portrait blur in post if the data is present.
Also, to do the comparisons correctly take three images: jpeg, heif and raw.
Thanks for this article. I had no idea when I updated my iPhone to iOS 11, it automatically changed my photo setting to High Efficiency. I definitely don't want the HEIF option. You can clearly see the loss of detail in the examples. Now, I have no choice but convert them into jpeg. I usually use the Lightroom app to shoot in RAW, but sometimes I forget to use it. I always prefer the highest image quality possible.
Go to Settings -> Camera and select "Most compatible". Now the photos will be saved in JPEG format.
We tried uploading the HEIF photos to multiple websites, like Facebook, and nothing currently supports it.
If you find yourself stuck with a bunch of HEIF photos that you want to upload to a social media site, you can easily convert them by selecting them, right clicking on one, and clicking "Open with Preview." Then select all within Preview, go to File, Export selected items, then click options, and change the format to JPEG or any other desired format, and finally click choose.
I can upload all my photos to social media including Facebook and Instagram. All photos were saved in HEIF formal. No converting or switching is necessary. Also, the quality is actually indiscernible with JPEG, even in low light.
So in conclusion Apple’s current implementation of HEIF sucks ass! I can’t believe how badly this has been implemented by Apple! This is beta foda. So all the advantages of shooting photos in HDR 10bit color are lost, because HEIF has inferior image quality to 8bit JPEG to begin with! Apple goes by the mantra that it doesn’t incorporate new technologies until they are properly refined and just work! Not in this case.
I somehow doubt that is exactly the conclusion at all. The article does not say that Apple current implementation of HEIF is as bad as you said. It's like saying it's the end of the world, while one only have a common cold.
Unknowingly, I shot all my photos on my new X in HEIF and they got automatically converted to JPEGs when I imported them into Lightroom 5 on my Mac. If I had known, I would have shot JPEG at the start by choosing the Most Compatible option instead of High Efficiency. Does anyone know if the JPEG converted from HEIF has the same quality as the JPEG shot at the start? I tested and it seems that the converted image is a larger in file size.
Has anything been done by Apple In iOS 12 to change or allow the user to change the amount of compression of HEIF files so that the resulting image is at least as good as a jpg file, while being a bit smaller in file size?
Comments
Apple is more concerned about customer satisfaction than offering better photos by default.
They know that if users really care about photo quality, they'll download an app and shoot in RAW, for example.
1. Apple has done an impressive job of using a new file format to let users store photos on their phones using half the storage space.
2. Comparing zoomed in versions of photos using this new format side by side with standard JPEG shows virtually no difference.
3. True to its "it just works" philosophy, Apple automatically converts HEIF photos to JPEG whenever appropriate (copying to the desktop, sharing with friends, posting to social media, etc.) for compatibility purposes.
4. If you really want to be exposed to the annoying details and make things hard for yourself, there are workaround to prevent this conversion from happening and then you'll find that, in general, the world isn't ready for HEIF.
5. The normal user should/will use the new format without ever being aware of it and enjoying great photos and a little more free space on their phones, with no compatibility issues normally associated with a new format.
Apple could leave JPEG as the default and allow a RAW option for people who want it.
It's the equivalent of being a grammar nazi or a spelling troll.
We actually need need more people correcting bad grammar, bad spelling, bad analagies, etc, not less. Or is it fewer? Crap.
Ironically (coincidentally?) your statement of -2x anything is possible is absolute nonsense further proving his point. If I have 100 of something and then I have -2X that, 100 x (-2) = -200. I'd have -200 of it. Wut?
So, staying on topic with the thread without derailing it further, some people may prefer to have their photos take up half the space at a sacrifice of some clarity. Personally, I'd rather have better pictures take up twice as much space because I hate blurry pictures. IMHO, of course.
https://www.phonearena.com/news/Apple-and-iOS-11-could-revolutionize-smartphone-photography-with-next-generation-image-file-format_id98159
Two time smaller originated as an stupid advertising term and now the uneducated think it is a valid mathematical term.
Also, to do the comparisons correctly take three images: jpeg, heif and raw.