diff --git a/applications/NXmx.nxdl.xml b/applications/NXmx.nxdl.xml
index 0c71dab11f..c2213fd66c 100644
--- a/applications/NXmx.nxdl.xml
+++ b/applications/NXmx.nxdl.xml
@@ -666,6 +666,19 @@
                         </doc>
                     </field>
 
+                    <field name="bit_depth_stored" type="NX_POSINT" recommended="true">
+                        <doc>
+                            The number of bits per pixel saved to the image data.
+                        </doc>
+                    </field>
+
+                     <field name="bit_depth_image" type="NX_POSINT"
+                        deprecated="Use bit_depth_stored.">
+                        <doc>
+                            The number of bits per pixel saved to the image data.
+                        </doc>
+                    </field>
+
                     <field name="detector_readout_time" type="NX_FLOAT" units="NX_TIME"
                         minOccurs="0">
                         <doc>
diff --git a/base_classes/NXdetector.nxdl.xml b/base_classes/NXdetector.nxdl.xml
index a6bb0b8c68..68588cd8da 100644
--- a/base_classes/NXdetector.nxdl.xml
+++ b/base_classes/NXdetector.nxdl.xml
@@ -756,12 +756,17 @@
   </field>
   <field name="bit_depth_readout" type="NX_INT">
     <doc>
-      How many bits the electronics reads per pixel.
+      How many bits the electronics reads per data point.
       With CCD's and single photon counting detectors,
-      this must not align with traditional integer sizes.
+      this might not align with traditional integer sizes.
       This can be 4, 8, 12, 14, 16, ...
     </doc>
   </field>
+  <field name="bit_depth_stored" type="NX_POSINT">
+    <doc>
+      The number of bits per data point to the detector data.
+    </doc>
+  </field>
   <field name="detector_readout_time" type="NX_FLOAT" units="NX_TIME">
     <doc>
       Time it takes to read the detector (typically milliseconds).