Is a photo archive video lossless?
“Full resolution” describes image dimensions. It does not mean that compressed video frames retain every original byte.
What HEVC changes
HEVC uses lossy compression. Detail and colour can change when images are encoded into a video and decoded again. Full-resolution output can still be a re-encoded image. Compare representative photos, especially text, fine detail and important documents, before deciding whether frame export suits your needs.
What exact restoration needs
The app keeps original files in its local archive package. When available, the original restore path can use those files rather than reconstructing them from video. Keeping the video in Photos does not copy that local package to every device.
Choose a preservation strategy
For irreplaceable photographs or professional files, keep an independent backup of the original files. Use the archive video as part of an organised workflow and test restoration. Do not delete the app if you still depend on its local originals packages.
Can a smaller video guarantee identical photo quality?
No. Storage reduction, visual quality and preservation of original file data are different questions.
