Cinelike

Cinelike is an adjective used to describe media or imagery that resembles or aims to resemble cinema. In photography and videography, cinelike describes color science and tonal characteristics that mimic film, often achieved by flatter gamma curves and broader dynamic range to preserve highlight and shadow detail for post-production. Such profiles or settings are commonly labeled cinelike in camera menus and are intended to provide a more flexible starting point for color grading, as opposed to in-camera looks that are highly contrasty or saturated.

In practice, cinelike footage tends to have subdued contrast, muted color saturation, and a more neutral color response, which helps colorists shape the final look of a scene. Filmmakers may choose cinelike capture when the final edit relies on post-production color work, film stock emulation, or when matching footage from multiple cameras.

In game development and other interactive media, cinelike can describe a cinematic camera style or rendering approach that aims to mimic filmic storytelling—steady, deliberate camera moves, shallow depth of field, and lighting that evokes cinema. The term is informal and context-dependent, and its exact meaning can vary between manufacturers, studios, and artists.

Differences from cinematic: cinelike focuses on the imaging profile and aesthetic that resembles cinema, while cinematic more broadly refers to the overall style, pacing, and production design associated with films. See also: cinematic, picture profile, gamma curve.