SWISS RIG srRAW 1.2 for iPhone Announced with CinemaDNG Internal Recording

Posted By: SmartphoneFilmPro 17th September 2025

SWISS RIG srRAW 1.2 for iPhone Announced with CinemaDNG Internal Recording

For years, iPhone users have been pushing the boundaries of what a smartphone camera can do. Apple has consistently improved the iPhone’s camera hardware and software pipeline, but filmmakers often want more than what the default video apps allow. Enter SWISS RIG’s srRAW 1.2—a dedicated cinema camera application for iPhone that brings true RAW capture to your pocket.

If you’ve ever wished you could treat your iPhone like a mini cinema camera, this is the update you’ve been waiting for.

What Makes srRAW 1.2 Different?

Most iOS video apps lean heavily on Apple’s built-in processing pipeline. This means footage is automatically sharpened, noise-reduced, and tone-mapped before you even hit record. While this works beautifully for everyday users, it limits professionals who need clean, untouched image data for serious post-production.

srRAW 1.2 takes a completely different approach.

  • Instead of using Apple’s standard video processing, it relies on a custom capture engine.

  • The app bypasses iOS’s automatic image manipulation, preserving the native 14-bit dynamic range of the iPhone’s sensor.

  • Footage is recorded directly in CinemaDNG, a widely supported RAW format used in the film industry.

In simple terms: you’re not getting a “baked-in” iPhone look. You’re getting untouched sensor data, the same way a cinema camera records.

CinemaDNG on an iPhone? Yes, Really.

The headline feature here is native CinemaDNG encoding on-device. That’s huge.

For context: CinemaDNG is an open RAW format that stores individual image frames as DNG files. It’s been a staple of digital cinema cameras for years because it retains all sensor information, allowing maximum flexibility in post-production.

With srRAW 1.2, your iPhone footage can now:

  • Be imported directly into DaVinci Resolve or Adobe Premiere Pro.

  • Be graded and color-corrected using the same workflows as footage from an ARRI, RED, or Blackmagic camera.

  • Avoid the limitations of compressed codecs like ProRes or HEVC, where information is lost during recording.

This makes the iPhone a truly viable B-camera or backup camera on professional sets.

Why This Matters for Filmmakers

Let’s face it—no one’s going to replace an ALEXA 35 with an iPhone 15 Pro Max. But that’s not the point. The value of srRAW 1.2 lies in its flexibility and accessibility.

Here’s where it shines:

🎬 Indie Films & Shorts

Independent filmmakers working with tight budgets can now capture RAW footage on a device they already own. No extra gear needed—just install the app and go.

📺 Documentaries

Sometimes, discretion is key. A full cinema rig draws attention, while an iPhone can blend in. With srRAW 1.2, documentarians don’t have to sacrifice image quality for mobility.

🎶 Music Videos & Commercials

For projects that need a unique aesthetic or experimental look, RAW footage from an iPhone can be a creative playground. With 14-bit dynamic range, there’s plenty of room to push color grades in bold directions.

🎥 Backup Camera on Professional Sets

Even big-budget productions sometimes need extra angles or a discreet camera. An iPhone running srRAW 1.2 can slip into tight spaces where a full rig won’t fit, while still delivering files that integrate seamlessly into a professional post pipeline.

Resolution and Device Support

srRAW 1.2 currently supports resolutions up to 3K—which may sound modest compared to the iPhone’s default 4K, but remember: this is uncompressed RAW. The priority here is quality over sheer resolution.

Supported devices include:

  • iPhone 15 Pro

  • iPhone 15 Pro Max

  • iPhone 16 Pro

  • iPhone 16 Pro Max

  • iPhone 17 Pro

  • iPhone 17 Pro Max

That means if you’re on Apple’s latest Pro-series models, you’re good to go.

Pricing: Lifetime or Subscription

In a world where pro video apps often come with complicated pricing tiers, SWISS RIG keeps it simple:

  • €39.99 one-time purchase → Lifetime license.

  • €19.99/year subscription → With a 7-day free trial.

For filmmakers, the lifetime option is an absolute bargain compared to what most camera tools and plugins cost.

How It Fits Into the Larger Ecosystem

Apple has been making moves into pro video with support for ProRes recording and even direct editing in Final Cut Pro for iPad. But srRAW 1.2 pushes things further by unlocking something Apple itself doesn’t offer: true RAW capture on iPhone hardware.

It reflects a broader trend:

  • Smartphones are no longer just “backup” tools.

  • With the right software, they can be serious creative instruments.

  • The line between “pro camera” and “phone camera” keeps getting blurrier.

For cinematographers, that means more options in the toolkit. For creators, it means professional-quality filmmaking is becoming more accessible than ever.

The Downsides (Because There Are Always Some)

Of course, there are trade-offs. Shooting RAW isn’t all sunshine and roses:

  • File sizes are massive. CinemaDNG files can eat up iPhone storage quickly.

  • Processing power matters. Editing RAW requires a capable computer (and fast drives).

  • No Apple magic. Features like automatic HDR, Deep Fusion, and Smart HDR aren’t in play here. You’re trading convenience for control.

But for filmmakers who value flexibility, these “downsides” are really just part of the deal.

Final Thoughts

SWISS RIG’s srRAW 1.2 is more than just another iPhone video app—it’s a statement about where mobile filmmaking is headed.

By bypassing Apple’s image pipeline and recording directly to CinemaDNG, it hands creative control back to filmmakers. Whether you’re an indie director, a documentarian, or a music video artist, this app opens up new possibilities without requiring expensive gear.

At just €39.99 for a lifetime license, it’s one of the most affordable ways to start working with RAW footage—period.

If you’ve been curious about treating your iPhone like a proper cinema camera, now’s the time to try it.

Bottom line: srRAW 1.2 isn’t for everyone. But if you care about image quality, dynamic range, and professional workflows, it just turned the iPhone into a much more serious filmmaking tool.

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