The ARW file extension stands for Sony Alpha Raw, meaning that the file is a Sony raw image. ARW files are raw photos created by Sony camera models. They contain all of the data your camera recorded when taking the photo and can include extra information like GPS data if available. ARW file types contain a single photo and are usually much smaller than 1 or 2 GB, though file sizes vary.
NEF, short for Nikon Electronic Format, is a RAW file format used in Nikon cameras. NEF files contain all the details captured by the camera’s sensor, storing unprocessed image data and metadata. The format allows for flexible post-processing, as adjustments like white balance, sharpening, and tone are stored as metadata rather than applied directly to the image, preserving the original RAW data. NEF files can be saved as uncompressed or lossless compressed, allowing photographers to work with high-quality photos in their original form.
To convert files from ARW to NEF use an online tool that supports mass conversion, like Convertjack. Such a tool transforms single or bulk images at once to save time.
Go to Choose File, and select any ARW photos you want to convert. If you want to do a bulk conversion, click Choose File and select all the ARW pics you want to convert.
After uploading the ARW image, click the “Select Format” button at the center. A drop-down menu will pop up; select NEF.
On the bottom right corner of the display, click the “Convert” button. Your converted NEF file will be ready for download.
Click the “Download” button on the right side of the NEF file, and the converted image will be downloaded. If you convert multiple files, each file will have a “Download all” button in front of it, and you can click each button to download all the converted files.
To save a ARW file as a NEF file, you first convert it to NEF and then download it.
Instead of converting a file manually from ARW to NEF, use an online tool like Convertjack to convert the file without losing any details.
After converting the ARW file, Download the NEF file and save it in the default folder for all your downloads on the desktop or mobile.
One of the advantages of NEF is its ability to preserve the full range of image data captured by Nikon cameras, offering compatibility with Nikon-specific software and editing tools. Even though it is a raw file, NEF can still use lossless compression to reduce file size without losing quality. The main disadvantage of ARW files is their large size and specific use case for professional editing on Sony devices.