Blackmagic RAW and ProRes are two different recording choices on the same Blackmagic camera. Each trades file size against how much you can change later.
Many Blackmagic cinema cameras record either format, sometimes at the same time. Read the full breakdown of this codec first, since this page assumes you already know the basics.
File Size: Blackmagic RAW vs ProRes
Blackmagic RAW at its lightest compression still holds full RAW sensor data. That file stays far smaller than an uncompressed RAW format would be. That is genuinely unusual, since RAW footage normally runs far larger than any compressed video format.
Blackmagic RAW offers four compression ratios, 5:1, 8:1, 12:1, and 18:1, each trading detail for a smaller file. Standard ProRes sticks to a handful of fixed bitrate profiles instead, simpler but less adjustable.
A lighter Blackmagic RAW ratio still beats a compressed video file for editing flexibility. Get a smaller file to work with once footage becomes too heavy for your storage or computer.
Why Blackmagic RAW Stays Editable After the Shoot
Blackmagic RAW keeps ISO, white balance, and tint as separate metadata, not baked into the image. Standard ProRes locks those same choices in during recording.
This means a colorist can change exposure or color temperature well after the shoot, without any quality loss. Once footage ships as ProRes, those same changes only push the existing pixels around instead.
ProRes RAW Is a Different Format, Not the Same as ProRes
ProRes RAW is Apple’s own RAW format, separate from standard ProRes entirely. Confusing the two is common, since they share a name but not the same underlying data.
Standard ProRes, the format compared throughout this page, carries no RAW sensor data at all. ProRes RAW does, but mostly through external recorders paired with non Blackmagic cameras, a different comparison entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blackmagic RAW the same as ProRes RAW?
No. They are separate formats from different companies, despite the similar sounding names.
Which format produces smaller files, Blackmagic RAW or ProRes?
Blackmagic RAW at its highest compression ratio produces smaller files than most ProRes profiles. Standard ProRes still wins for absolute smallest file size overall.
Can I switch from Blackmagic RAW to ProRes later?
Yes, through conversion in DaVinci Resolve. That process bakes in your color choices permanently, the same trade off covered earlier on this page.
Does standard ProRes support the same editing freedom as Blackmagic RAW?
No. ProRes commits color and exposure choices at record time, unlike Blackmagic RAW’s editable metadata.