What is MIME type "image/x-raw-phaseone"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

image/x-raw-phaseone is a MIME type for raw image files created by Phase One cameras. These files store sensor data in its original form with minimal processing.

They are designed for high-end photography and professional workflows. Raw files offer greater control during editing and preserve image details and dynamic range.

Used in professional photography for maximum detail preservation
Ideal for digital asset management and archival of original sensor data
Works with specialized editing software, like Capture One, that supports raw image processing

Common file formats include CAP, IIQ, and CAPTURE.

For further technical details on MIME types, visit IANA Media Types.

Associated file extensions

.cap, .iiq, .capture

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: image/x-raw-phaseone

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="image/x-raw-phaseone">Download file</a>

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:


    const http = require('http');    
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {    
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'image/x-raw-phaseone');    
      res.end('Content here');    
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.cap, .iiq, .capture

FAQs

Can web browsers display image/x-raw-phaseone files?

No, modern web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari cannot natively render Phase One raw files. To display these images on a website, you must convert them to web-friendly formats like image/jpeg, image/png, or image/webp.

Which software opens .iiq, .cap, and .capture files?

These files are best opened using Capture One, the proprietary software developed by Phase One for their camera systems. Other professional editors like Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop (via Camera Raw) also support these formats for processing and conversion.

How do I add support for this MIME type in Apache?

To ensure your Apache server correctly identifies Phase One raw files, add the following line to your .htaccess file or main configuration: AddType image/x-raw-phaseone .iiq .cap .capture. This ensures the server sends the correct Content-Type header instead of a generic binary stream.

How do I configure Nginx to serve Phase One raw files?

In Nginx, open your mime.types file (usually located in /etc/nginx/) and add the type definition inside the types block: image/x-raw-phaseone iiq cap capture;. Restart Nginx to apply the changes.

What does the 'x-' prefix mean in image/x-raw-phaseone?

The x- prefix indicates that this is a non-standard or experimental MIME type that has not been formally registered with the IANA. It is a vendor-specific convention used to identify raw sensor data from Phase One hardware.

Why are files with this MIME type so large?

Files with the image/x-raw-phaseone type contain uncompressed or losslessly compressed data directly from the camera sensor. Unlike a compressed image/jpeg, these files retain all dynamic range and color information, resulting in significantly larger file sizes ideal for archival but poor for web performance.

What is the difference between .iiq and .cap extensions?

Both extensions are covered by image/x-raw-phaseone, but they represent different generations or formats of Phase One data. .cap is an older raw format, while .iiq (Intelligent Image Quality) is the modern format, often available in "Large" (lossless) or "Small" (smart compressed) variations.

General FAQ

What is a MIME type?

A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.

MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.

MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.

How do I find the MIME type for a file?

You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.

Why are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.