Raw images from my ZS200D (.RW2 format) aren't displayed in either macOs Photos app or ipadOs Photo app - Ventura

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127 points

Raw images from my ZS200D (.RW2 format) aren't displayed in either macOs Photos app or ipadOs Photo app - Ventura

The specific camera model, Panasonic Lumix ZS200 is listed as officially supported by Photos on the mac studio and on the ipad pro. The RAW files from this model (and many other Lumix cameras) have a .RW2 extension.

I can import photos on both my mac or ipad into the respective Photos app. But on both of them, I'll see only grey thumbnails with the right orientation (landscape or portrait). The images will be opened for editing if double-clicked but the image will remain grey.

The Get info command will give me the right EXIF metadata.

If I convert the files to DNG with the Adobe converter, the photos will be appear correctly in the macOs app. I can't tell for the iPad, I haven't found a converting app yet.

Other apps on my mac will open those .RW2 files and display images correctly. Affinity Photo 2 (as well as on the iPad version) and Topaz Photo AI. But, none of the regular Apple apps, Photos, FCP, Preview or the Finder (thumbnails) will work.

One thing that could be relevant is the model name in the metadata. Panasonic has changed the model name for a reason I can't explain. It is now the "DC-ZS200D". Nothing physical or operational on the camera has changed. The seller at the store couldn't tell me exactly why it bears that model name since a couple years. She had heard that maybe the display was changed, but wasn't sure.

This isn't a major issue on the mac. I can convert the files to DNG and go on with Photos, although it would be simpler to avoid this extra step and import directly from the camera into Photos.

It is an issue on the iPad, though. I'll be travelling in a month and I intend to use my iPad to backup and see my photos. I would go for a converter app if there's one available, but I haven't found it yet. I can always copy the photos to a folder and wait to be back to convert them, but I would appreciate seeing my photos on the iPad while traveling.

Mac Studio (2022)

Posted on Apr 30, 2023 11:56 AM

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Answer 1

Zague Author

Level 1

127 points

Apr 30, 2023 2:11 PM in response to Zague

SOLVED -- APPLE, PLEASE READ THIS:

The model name is the issue. macOS Photos needs to read the original model name "DC-ZS200" in order to show thumbnails in the finder and open the RW2 (RAW) files in Photos. My camera is of a later build and writes "DC-ZS200D" in the EXIF camera model field.

If I remove the "D" at the end of the model name in the EXIF metadata, the finder instantly shows the thumbnail for the photo and if I import it in Photos, it shows as a regular image of type RAW.

This info will be of help to all users of this revised model of the camera. While we're hopeful for a fix by Apple, we can do the extra manipulation of editing the model name in an EXIF editor, at least for those of us who are comfortable with this type of exercise.

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Answer 2

léonie

Level 10

200,255 points

May 2, 2023 11:27 PM in response to Zague

Panasonic should fix this and not use a collection of different EXIF entries for the same camera model FZ200, FZ200D, FZ200K, perhaps more. This should only be done, if there are slight differences in the technical specifications, that require a different RAW processing and a different RAW support.

Send feedback to Panasonic as well - if the FZ200D is completely identical to the earlier FZ200, so the RAW support for the FZ200 can be used for this camera, the camera should set the FZ200 exif tag.

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Answer 3

Zague Author

Level 1

127 points

May 3, 2023 8:29 AM in response to léonie

You're right, léonie.

In my case, it is the ZS200D, which is a variant of the ZS200. I've been told that the display is not the same as on the original model. There'a a ZS200DS as well.

But, I have to stress that all my other apps open .RW2 files regradless of those models names. Affinity Photo 2 opens these RAW files on both the mac and the iPad. Adobe DNG converter opens the files and converts them on the mac. Image Converter won't display the image but it will convert it in other formats. Etc.

So, it's not really a matter of model here. The file suffix is an appropriate indicator for many non-Apple apps.

I wil not write to Panasonic. I think Apple should take care of this. The manufacturer has all the rights to indicate a different model name if it judges that it is relevant. In this case, if the suffix doesn't change, it tells an app that the format is the same.

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Answer 4

léonie

Level 10

200,255 points

May 3, 2023 9:21 AM in response to Zague

All Panasonic RAW files are named .RW2 , at least for all my Panasonic cameras, from the FZ5, FZ20, FZ28 to FZ300. The sensors are very different; using the RAW support from the FZ5 for the FZ300 would be a disaster. We can only use the RAW support from a different camera model, if the sensors and the resolution are identical. The filename suffix .RW2 does not suffice, it is indicating the manufacturer, not the camera model.

The least Panasonic could do, would be to inform Apple and confirm, that the camera models Panasonic Lumix ZS200 and Panasonic Lumix ZS200D are identical with respect to the RAW support (sensor, resolution, lens) and and Apple does not need to reverse engineer a new RAW support for Panasonic Lumix ZS200D.

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Answer 5

Zague Author

Level 1

127 points

May 3, 2023 9:52 AM in response to léonie

Again, you're right. Panasonic should inform players of importance of any idiosyncrasy of their format.

It has to be noted, though, that other apps that read RAW files on the mac such as Affinity 2 and Topaz Photo AI can open and display the .RW2 files from my camera. I can't tell you if they do so on the basis of prior tests with that specific model (ZS200D) or I they just gave it a go on the basis of the .RW2 suffix.

I have filed a form on the Product Feedback page. This can help too, I guess.

My main concern and we're going one step sideways here, is that I'll use my iPad Pro as a backup and editing tool while traveling in June. On the iPad, none of the exif editors available on the App Store works. I guess it's a rather recent problem. If I have edited the exif metadata of a .RW2 file on my mac, it's thumbnail will appear in Files on my iPad and the image will de displayed correctly in Photos there. I don't wan't to carry a mac for that sole purpose.

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Answer 6

Zague Author

Level 1

127 points

May 3, 2023 11:31 AM in response to léonie

I suspect there's something empirical in the knowledge that Affinity, Topaz and others have of the Lumix raw format and its variants, otherwise Apple would have been senselessly left out of the loop or would have chosen to ignore certain new models for now.

Thanks for the help! I'll try getting in touch with Panasonic just to cover all the bases.

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