ARW file format
| Extension | .arw |
| Category | images |
| Programs | Adobe Photoshop Adobe Photoshop Elements GIMP Paintbrush Google Picasa XnView |
| Description | The ARW is a format used by Sony digital cameras to store raw photos without compression, contrasting other file formats such as JPEG. This format integrates basic specifications from TIFF, which ensures the preservation of the complete set of image data. Depending on the type or model of the camera, there may be minimal alterations to the data. Files in the ARW format are larger and more detailed compared to compressed image file formats like JPEG, but they are not as easily viewable. Therefore, they require specific programs for their opening and conversion. |
| Technical details | The ARW format provides users with the flexibility to modify or adjust images as they see fit. Once ARW images are converted, they become viewable on internet browsers. The specific format captured is determined by the camera model, even when using the .arw file extension. This is due to variations in camera sensors. These differences play a crucial role in determining the software required for viewing, converting, or saving an image. |
| MIME type | image/arw image/x-sony-arw |