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 their 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 image file formats compressed like JPEG, files using ARW are larger, details and cannot be easily viewed. This means they require special programs that can be used in opening and converting them. |
| Technical details | The ARW format provides its users with the freedom to make changes or adjustments to an image as they see fit. Converting ARW images allows viewing of images on internet browsers. The camera model used determines the type of format captured despite using a similar .arw file extension. This is possible due to the presence of sensor variations in cameras. The differences presented are significant determinants of the software used to view, convert, or store an image. |
| MIME type | image/arw image/x-sony-arw |