ARW file format
| Extension | .arw |
| Category | images |
| Programs | Adobe Photoshop Adobe Photoshop Elements GIMP Paintbrush Google Picasa XnView |
| Description | ARW is a format used to store raw captured photos by Sony digital cameras without compression to other file formats such as JPEG. The format adopts basic specifications from TIFF and maintains the full set of image data. In some cases, the data is minimally adjusted depending on the camera type or model. Unlike compressed image file formats like JPEG, files using ARW are larger, detailed, and cannot be easily viewed. This means they require special programs for opening and converting them. |
| Technical details | The ARW format allows users the flexibility to modify or adjust images as needed. By converting ARW images, they can be viewed on internet browsers. The camera model determines the specific format captured, even if using the .arw file extension. This is due to variations in camera sensors. These differences are crucial factors in determining the software needed to view, convert, or save an image. |
| MIME type | image/arw image/x-sony-arw |