A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to efficiently receive digital imaging data files, regardless of their size. For a respective data packet of a digital imaging data file, the method may determine whether that portion of the digital imaging data file that has been received satisfies the first threshold. If the first threshold is not satisfied, the method may receive the respective data packet using memory, such as by appending the data packet to a linked list. However, if the first threshold is satisfied, the method may receive the respective data packet and subsequent data packet(s) of the digital imaging data file using file storage. The receipt of the respective data packet using file storage is slower than the receipt of the respective data packet using memory.