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Microsoft has announced that Longhorn, the next version of Windows, will contain native support for various camera manufacturers’ RAW formats. This means you’ll be able to browse directories of RAW files and have thumbnails properly displayed.

The Microsoft RAW Image Thumbnailer and Viewer will also be made available for Windows XP. In addition, a future version of Microsoft Digital Image Suite will offer the ability to organize, edit and convert RAW files.

Quotes from the heads of Canon, Nikon and Fujifilm are included in the Microsoft press release, which can be read in full at DPReview.

It’s worth pointing out that Apple’s OS X 10.4 (Tiger) operating system already contains built-in RAW file support, while Longhorn is still at least a year away from release.

Update: – OpenRAW have posted their response to this news. As they point out, whilst Microsoft’s adding support for various RAW file formats is a handy thing, it doesn’t address the problems and risks associated with using proprietary RAW formats to archive your work.

Filed under: Canon,Fujifilm,Nikon,RAW Files,Software
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