Is it worth using Accelerate to convert 16 bpc RGB to 8 bpc RGB

I am working on an image processing app that requires 8 bit per channel (bpc) images.

Sometimes, input images are 16 bpc (e.g. sRGB IEC61966-2.1; extended range)

The app already draws the input image in a CGContext producing an 8 bpc CGImage. This works fine if the input is 16 bpc and I get an 8 bpc image.

I am wondering if it would be better for image quality to convert the 16 bpc images to 8 bpc using Accelerate before that CGContext draw? or does that draw essentially do the equivalent?

Is it worth using Accelerate to convert 16 bpc RGB to 8 bpc RGB
 
 
Q