ARW file format: what it is and how to use it

Sony's ARW is the RAW format of Alpha cameras: unprocessed sensor data with full editing headroom, wrapped in a TIFF-style container. Learn when to use it and what to choose instead.

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What is a ARW file?

An .arw file is the RAW capture of a Sony Alpha camera: unprocessed Bayer sensor data plus full EXIF and camera settings, wrapped in a TIFF-derived container. Depending on the body it is stored uncompressed or losslessly compressed; either way, white balance, exposure and tone decisions stay reversible because nothing has been baked into pixels yet.

When should you use ARW?

  • Editing latitude: recover highlights and shadows a JPEG already clipped.
  • Master files for archives: the sensor's original data, for re-editing as tools improve.
  • Consistent grading: apply your own color science instead of the camera's JPEG look.

When is another format a better fit?

For long-term vendor-neutral archives, DNG documents the same raw data in an open spec. For sharing or web use, deliver a processed JPG, since nobody views RAW straight. And for retouch hand-offs, TIFF carries a developed image losslessly.

The short version: ARW is the Sony shooter's negative: edit from it, archive it, but publish something rendered.

How to open a ARW file

On Windows

Double-click the file, or open it with Sony Imaging Edge.

On macOS

Adobe Lightroom opens ARW files on macOS.

In your browser

Open ARW files right in a browser tab or with the dexrr viewer. No install, no upload.

Also opens in

  • Adobe Lightroom
  • Sony Imaging Edge
  • Capture One
  • RawTherapee

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ARW technical details

Full name
Sony Alpha RAW
Extensions
.arw .sr2 .srf
MIME type
image/x-sony-arw
Magic bytes
49 49 2A 00 / 4D 4D 00 2A (TIFF-based)
Compression
Lossless or lossy
Developer
Sony

ARW questions, answered

How do I open an .arw file?

Lightroom, Capture One, darktable, RawTherapee and Sony's Imaging Edge open it; newer bodies may need fresh codec updates. dexrr displays and converts arw files in your browser.

Can I convert ARW files online?

Yes, dexrr converts arw locally in your browser to jpg, png or tiff for sharing and editing, and your originals never leave the machine.

Is ARW better than DNG?

Same idea, different owner: ARW is Sony's native recipe, DNG is the documented open container. DNG wins for archival neutrality; ARW keeps every vendor-specific note.

Why does my ARW look different in each editor?

RAW is not an image yet. Each converter applies its own demosaic and color profile. Differences are interpretation, not corruption.

Is the ARW format outdated?

No, it is the current raw format of Sony's Alpha line, evolving per sensor generation.