Camera RAW

What is an ARW file?

Updated Jul 2026

Definition

ARW (Sony Alpha RAW) is the raw image format Sony cameras use to store photos exactly as the sensor captured them, before any in-camera processing. It keeps every bit of detail the sensor recorded, which makes files large and gives you far more room to edit. The catch is that most photo viewers, editors, and websites can't open it without converting it first.

ARWSony Alpha RAW

Extension: .arw
Type: Camera RAW
Typically: Sony cameras
Metadata: Carries EXIF

Why ARW exists

Sony's Alpha and Cyber-shot cameras save ARW files when you shoot in raw mode instead of JPG. Rather than compressing and finalizing the image the way a camera normally would, the sensor data is written almost untouched, along with the camera settings needed to interpret it later.

That untouched data is the appeal. A JPG has already had its white balance, sharpening, and color baked in and thrown away anything extra. An ARW keeps that extra information, so you can pull back blown-out highlights, fix white balance, or recover shadow detail after the fact in ways a JPG simply won't allow.

The tradeoff is size and support. ARW files run several times larger than a JPG from the same shot, and because the format is specific to Sony, plenty of photo apps, phones, and websites can't open it at all. That's usually when people need to convert it to something like JPG or TIFF just to view it or share it.

The trade-offs

Strengths

Keeps the full detail the sensor captured
Far more flexibility to fix exposure and color after the shot
Nothing is thrown away by in-camera processing

Watch-outs

Much larger files than JPG
Not supported by most photo viewers, editors, or websites
Needs converting before you can share or print it easily

A note on privacy

An ARW file carries EXIF metadata, including camera settings and often the GPS location where the photo was taken. Uploading it to an online converter sends that photo and its embedded location data to someone else's server. Converting it on your own computer keeps the image and everything attached to it on your machine.

Convert an ARW file

Questions

How do I open an ARW file?

Sony's own software can open it, and many raw photo editors support it too, but most default photo viewers and web browsers can't. Converting it to JPG or TIFF makes it viewable almost anywhere.

Is ARW better than JPG?

For editing, yes: ARW keeps far more detail to work with. For everyday viewing and sharing, no: JPG is smaller and opens everywhere, while ARW needs extra software or a conversion first.

Why does my Sony camera save ARW files?

It saves ARW when you shoot in raw mode, which preserves the full sensor data for editing. If you'd rather skip conversion, most Sony cameras let you switch to JPG in the shooting menu.

Can I convert ARW without uploading it?

Yes. A desktop app like Morphjet converts ARW on your own computer, so the photo and its camera and location metadata never leave your machine.

Morphjet opens and converts ARW and 1,800+ other formats, all on your own computer. Launching this July.