I have read that 12-bit linear data can be stored accurately as 10-bit log data. I don't see how this is possible.   A 12-bit linear scale has 4,095 gradations of equal value. A 10-bit log scale has 1,023 gradations of non-equal value. In the log scale, each gradation is twice the value of the previous gradation. A Log scale work well for representing sound and light intensity because it closely maps how we perceive these stimuli.   But as for re-mapping 12-bit linear to 10-bit log w/o any