Create AVIF from RAW Photos 2026: Preserve Quality [Workflow]

RAW to AVIF Workflow

Converting RAW files to AVIF requires a multi-step workflow to preserve quality while achieving optimal compression.

RAW files contain unprocessed sensor data—they're not directly convertible to AVIF. First, develop your RAW file in editing software (Lightroom, Capture One, etc.), then export to AVIF or an intermediate format.

The development stage is where you make creative decisions: exposure, color, sharpening. The export stage is purely technical: format and compression settings.

• Step 1: Develop RAW: Apply all adjustments in your preferred RAW processor. Work in ProPhoto RGB or Adobe RGB color space.
• Step 2: Export Master: Export a high-quality TIFF or full-quality JPEG as your master file (optional but recommended).
• Step 3: Convert to AVIF: Convert the developed image to AVIF using appropriate quality settings for intended use.
• Step 4: Verify Quality: Compare AVIF output against source to ensure acceptable quality.

Software Options

Several pathways exist from RAW to AVIF, depending on your existing workflow.

• Lightroom → AVIF: Adobe added AVIF export in recent versions. Export directly from Lightroom with quality control.
• Capture One → AVIF: Export TIFF, then convert to AVIF using dedicated converter or command-line tools.
• Photoshop → AVIF: Recent Photoshop versions support AVIF export via Save for Web.
• RAW Processor → Our Converter: Export JPEG/TIFF, then use AVIF.expert for conversion with quality preview.

Quality Settings for Photography

Optimal AVIF settings vary by intended use.

For photography, start at quality 85 and adjust based on image content. Detailed images (texture, foliage) may need higher quality than simple compositions.

Batch Processing

For large photo libraries, automate the conversion process.

Lightroom's export presets can include resize operations, but AVIF-specific optimization is often better handled in a dedicated conversion step.

For maximum efficiency, create Lightroom export presets for common scenarios (web, social, archive), then batch convert each set to AVIF with appropriate settings.

#!/bin/bash
# Batch convert developed photos to AVIF
# Assumes JPEG exports from Lightroom in ./exports/

mkdir -p ./avif

for file in ./exports/*.jpg; do
  filename=$(basename "$file" .jpg)
  
  # High quality for portfolio
  magick "$file" -quality 90 "./avif/${filename}.avif"
  
  # Create thumbnail variant
  magick "$file" -resize 400x -quality 75 "./avif/${filename}-thumb.avif"
  
  echo "Converted: $filename"
done

echo "Batch conversion complete!"