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Apple introduced the HEIF (High Efficiency Image File Format) image format with its latest iPhone models 8, 8 Plus and X. Essentially, the new format is more efficient than current standards at compressing image data—images with the same size and level of detail occupy up to 50% less space on your device storage or hard drive—while also offering additional features like the ability to store burst photos, focal stacks, and exposure stacks in a single file.
In the long term, HEIF is meant to replace JPG as a the most common image standard, but until now the format could only be viewed or edited on iOS 11 devices or an Apple Mac… not exactly universal. That all changes today with the latest release of Zoner Photo Studio.
Zoner Studio X is officially the first software package to bring HEIF support to the Windows platform. Its makers still call the feature “experimental” and recommend keeping a backup of your HEIF photos in a separate format (just in case), but this is a big deal if you’re an iPhone user who uses a PC instead of a Mac. No need to sacrifice image quality to save space or visa versa.
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Zoner Studio X offers more than HEIF support, of course, and is a potent image editor in its own right. The feature set includes: image organization, layers, non-destructive RAW editing, retouching, and automatic adjustments.
To learn more or download a 30 day trial, visit the Zoner website. The full version will cost you $ 49.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)