What is an ARW file Format, and how do you open it?

What are .ARW files?

ARW means Sony Alpha Raw, a file format with detailed and uncompressed image data. As a result, the files are large and demand more storage space, although they are easily edited. The file format stores image data or files captured through the camera's sensor based on TIFF specifications.

ARW is a raster-based raw image file format identified using the .ARW extension at the end of the file name. It is a minimally processed image file containing the exact data as recorded by the sensor. The format is identical to other raw files from Sony cameras, such as SRF and SR2 files.

While Sony's file types are prevalent, ARW files could instead be an Art Studio image format. The ARW format is unique from other formats, including JPG, GIF, or JPEG, because it is uncompressed or unprocessed and remains in the same raw form when first captured by the camera.  

Other formats face compression artifacts, but ARW files capture and maintain the raw sensor data for unmatched image quality and preserve image clarity and resolution while experimenting with many editing programs. ARW can also be called ARW+ because of the extra data it captures and stores.

History of ARW image files

ARW is a camera image format proprietary to Sony Company. The company introduced the Sony raw file format in the digital arena in July 2006 with Alpha DSLR-A100. The ARW file type was created to allow users to capture and store high-quality raw images exclusive to Sony cameras. 

The introduction of ARW files, similar to other raw formats such as RAW, DNG, or NEF, proved to be a significant step for photophiles. Sony Company's objective with the ARW format was to warrant high quality and flexibility in post-editing. 

ARW transformed the digital industry, enhanced photographers' artistic expression, and carved a niche for Sony camera files or images. While ARQ's invention and adoption in November 2017 (A7R III) shifted attention from ARW, ARW files are still widely used. 

ARW files are widely used as they store the original lens corrections, making applying vintage lenses on newer cameras easier. The ARW files hold transparency data and keep lens correction data for users. However, they must be converted into other files to work in photographs.

What are ARW files used for?

ARW files are used by Sony cameras to capture and retain vital metadata for image history and organization using TIFF specs. The files are uncompressed and large, making them ideal for unmatched image quality, non-destructive editing, and exporting into other compressed image formats, including PNG, JPEG, or GIF.

Pros and cons of ARW files

ARW files capture, retain, and store a camera's data and metadata. As such, users derive many benefits from using ARW files, although the format also presents demerits to photographers aspiring to accept and use such files, as detailed below.

Advantages of ARW files

1. High-Priority Projects: Users working with ARW files can undertake high-priority projects, including astrophotography. The format allows users to store and access more data during such projects, making it the best option for the chosen images. 
2. Metadata File: The ARW format stores detailed data and metadata, ensuring users can alter camera settings even after image processing. The detailed information ensures that the format is workable and easy to use.
3. Specific Software Support and Access: The ARW file format is a Sony Company product, and as such, its files can only be easily managed and operated using camera-specific software packages offered in the market. This makes editing and software accessibility easier.
4. Non-Destructive Editing: The ARW format ensures that changes made to an image are endlessly exported to a different format. This warrants that the primary file is saved, and users can make reversible edits to an ARW file.
5. High-quality images: The ARW files originate from Sony digital cameras and are data-rich, uncompressed, and non-processed, which ensures that the resulting photos or images are high-quality or high-resolution.

Disadvantages of ARW files

1. Post Processing: The ARW files must be processed or completed; hence, users must conduct post-processing, which is challenging and involving. 
2. Large Files: The ARW files are detailed, uncompressed, and larger, necessitating more storage space because memory cards will likely run out quickly when handling large projects. 
3. Complex Editing and Time Consuming: The RAW files require more time for editing and processing when they involve a wide range of files to be edited or manipulated, which turns off most users.
4. Difficulty Transmitting Files: ARW files are not easily shared across different platforms since they are large and consume more bytes.

How to Open or view ARW Files

To open or view ARW files, consider using compatible software such as Capture One, CorelDRAW's Photo-Paint, Lightroom, Able RAWer, ImageMagick, or Adobe Photoshop. Most cameras also offer built-in support for opening or viewing ARW files directly from the device.

Users must open ARW files before they start working with them. The process is simple: Choose the program you want to use to open the ARW file. For example, using PHOTO-PAINT, locate the file from your PC or Phone, navigate to the directory, and open the file.

How to Create and Edit ARW Files

ARW files require specific programs to create, open, and edit. The best tools for creating, opening, viewing, and editing ARW files are Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, or PaintShop Pro. 

Download and install Adobe Photoshop on your PC. Then connect your PC to your Sony Camera using USB data cable or Card reader. Export your ARW files and save. Locate your ARW file and right click > open with > other > and then select Photoshop. 

Once open, navigate to the 'Navigator Icon' and go to the ‘Adjustment’ section. You will see a list of icons that allow you to edit ARW image properties, including hue, curves, saturation etc. 

Each of the edited properties creates a new layer, hence, remember to save changes once the desired change is made before proceeding to edit your raw image further.

How to convert ARW files with Convertjack

You can convert ARW files to CR2, to DNG, GIF, PDF, PSD, BMP, GIF, JPG, PNG, EPS, TIFF files , or to other RAW image fomats  using our conversion tools. Our tools are among the finest ARW file converters you can find online. Go to the converter page, Click on the Convert Files button, Choose File to be converted or Drag and Drop your to the file converter. Select your preferred format, and click convert.

Note: You can do batch conversion for multiple files.