RW2 to XV Converter

Free RW2 to XV converter — process images online

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Speed Matters

No long waits. The converter processes RW2 images quickly, delivering XV results in seconds — even during peak usage periods.

Server-Side Power

All conversion work happens in the cloud — no local CPU load, no memory pressure. Upload your RW2 and get the XV result without slowing down your machine.

Your Files, Protected

Your uploaded RW2 files are erased immediately after conversion, and the resulting XV is removed from servers within 24 hours — keeping your data private.

How to convert RW2 to XV

1

Select files from Computer, Google Drive, Dropbox, URL or by dragging it on the page.

2

Choose xv or any other format you need as a result (more than 200 formats supported)

3

Let the file convert and you can download your xv file right afterwards

About formats

RW2 is the proprietary RAW image format used by Panasonic Lumix digital cameras, introduced in 2008 with the Lumix DMC-G1 — the world's first Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera — and used across the entire Lumix lineup including the full-frame S-series. RW2 files capture the unprocessed 12-bit or 14-bit readout from the camera's CMOS sensor in its native Bayer mosaic pattern, stored in a TIFF-based container with lossy or lossless compression options depending on the camera model. The format records extensive metadata through Panasonic's proprietary MakerNote tags, including lens identification for both native and adapted optics, body and lens firmware versions, image stabilization data from Panasonic's Dual I.S. system, and Photo Style settings (Standard, Vivid, Natural, L.Monochrome, Cinelike D/V, and others). RW2 files from video-centric models like the GH series also store the settings context for their renowned video capabilities, though the RAW files themselves are still-image captures. Panasonic cameras introduced several innovations — contrast-detect AF, DFD (Depth from Defocus) focusing, and Dual Native ISO — and the RW2 format preserves the data needed to leverage these technologies during post-processing. One advantage is the format's connection to Panasonic's imaging innovation: RW2 files from cameras like the GH5 and S1H preserve the sensor output from bodies at the intersection of stills and cinema, valued by hybrid shooters. The format is supported by Adobe Lightroom, Capture One, DxO, Panasonic's SILKYPIX-based RAW converter, dcraw, and RawTherapee.
Developer: Panasonic
Initial release: 2008
XV is an alternate file extension for the VIFF (Visualization Image File Format) developed by Khoral Research as part of the Khoros scientific image processing environment, which originated at the University of New Mexico around 1990. The .xv extension and the .viff extension refer to the same underlying format — a container with a 1024-byte header encoding image dimensions, data type (from single-bit to double-precision float and complex numbers), color space, band count, and optional spatial location metadata, followed by color map data and pixel values. The XV extension became common on systems where Khoros was installed alongside other X Window System tools, and in some research communities .xv was preferred over .viff as a shorter alternative. Khoros itself was a pioneering visual programming system where scientists assembled image processing pipelines by wiring together processing nodes in a graphical canvas — an approach that predated and influenced similar environments in MATLAB, LabVIEW, and commercial remote sensing packages. One advantage of the VIFF/XV format is its ability to store data at scientific precision levels — floating-point and complex number pixel values preserve measurement accuracy that would be lost in photographic formats limited to 8-bit or 16-bit integers, making it valuable for spectral analysis, computational physics output, and satellite imagery. The multi-band architecture provides another strength, allowing a single file to hold dozens of spectral channels from multispectral or hyperspectral sensors without splitting data across multiple files. XV files are supported by ImageMagick and can be converted to modern image formats for visualization or publication.
Developer: Khoral Research
Initial release: 1990

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the reasons to convert RW2 to XV?

RW2 stores Panasonic's full-resolution sensor data for maximum editing freedom — conversion to XV creates a final version for distribution and display.

How do I open a XV file?

Open XV files using XV viewer, IrfanView, XnView, and GIMP.

Is my RW2 file safe during conversion?

Yes — uploaded RW2 files are deleted immediately after conversion, and the XV output is removed from servers within 24 hours for your privacy.

Does the converter work on all devices?

Convertio works on any device with a web browser — desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and phones across all operating systems.

Does converting RW2 to XV affect quality?

Your RW2 image data is processed carefully during conversion. The resulting XV retains the maximum quality the target format can support.