About the Arw file format
- Name
- Sony Alpha Raw Image Format
- Extension
- .arw
- Format
- Binary
- Category
- Camera
- Developer
- Sony
- Description
- Digital photograph captured by a Sony digital camera, and based on the TIFF specification; contains raw, uncompressed image data as captured by the camera's CCD; can be adjusted using image-editing software before exporting to common raster formats such as .JPG or .TIFF.
- MIME Type
- image/x-sony-arw
- Sample
- sample.arw
Sony Digital Camera Image (ARW) is a raw image file that is used by Sony Alpha Digital Cameras. The data in this camera is stored using the tiff file specifications. It closely resembles Sony Cameras Raw files like SRF files and SR2. The images in this file are in their raw form: nothing has been done on them yet since the camera’s sensor captured them.
The files store large images as they are in their uncompressed forms. It is mainly used for editing and exporting files into compressed formats like JPG, GIF, or PNG because they don’t lose quality with use.
The files have important image details not visible in many image editors. They are said to be the digital version of a film negative, and more than one image can be edited at the same time.
Sometimes, ARW files may be the ArtStudio Scene files, not the Sony RAW files. The ArtStudio app can open these specific files.
ARW files are compatible with Windows 8, 9, and 10. Graphics programs like Adobe Photoshop, ACD See, Adobe Photoshop Elements, GIMP, and ImageMagick open and edit ARW files. Also, Microsoft Windows Photos, VLC, or Windows Live Photo Gallery can view ARW files.
