Data storage format for storing images with extended color gamut that is compatible with limited color gamut imaging devices includes identifying regions within the color image that contain extended gamut color values, using a compact notation to store an identification of each extended color gamut region in a second section, gamut-mapping the image data pertaining to the extended gamut regions to a limited gamut color space, storing the gamut-mapped image data together with all image data not in an extended gamut region in a first section of the data storage format, and storing image data for the extended gamut regions in an extended gamut color space in a third section of the data storage format such that the limited color gamut image stored in the first section can be combined with the extended gamut data stored in the third section to produce an extended color gamut digital image.