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ARW to BMP Converter

Convert ARW images to BMP online in seconds - free, with no sign-up and no watermark. Batch convert up to 30 files and download them together as a ZIP.

  • Free
  • No sign-up
  • No watermark
  • Private by design

Image Converter

How to use it

  1. 1

    Drop your ARW files onto the converter

  2. 2

    Press Convert to turn them into BMP

  3. 3

    Download your BMP images one by one or as a ZIP

ARW to BMP

Why convert ARW to BMP?

The main difference: ARW is an unprocessed sensor data format, while BMP is a lossless format.

Develop RAW into a ready-to-use photo

A ARW file holds the raw readings from the camera sensor, not a finished picture. Converting it to BMP applies the camera's colors and gives you a normal photo you can share, print or post right away.

Where BMP works best

BMP is ideal for legacy Windows software (files are very large). Converting gives you a file that works in the apps and websites that ask for BMP.

ARW vs BMP: what's the difference?

PropertyARWBMP
Compression typeUnprocessed sensor dataLossless (exact pixels, larger files)
Transparent backgroundNoNo
AnimationNoNo
Where it opensNone (needs a RAW editor)Most browsers, rarely used on the web
Used forStraight-from-camera photos for editingLegacy Windows software (files are very large)

What is an ARW (camera RAW) file?

ARW is the camera RAW format of Sony - Alpha mirrorless and DSLR cameras and Cyber-shot compacts. Instead of a finished photo, a RAW file stores the unprocessed data straight from the camera's sensor.

That gives photographers maximum room to adjust exposure, white balance and color afterwards, but RAW files are large (often 20-60 MB) and need special software to view. Converting to JPG produces a normal photo you can share right away.

How to open an ARW (camera RAW) file

Sony Imaging Edge opens ARW files, and Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop (Camera Raw), Capture One, darktable and RawTherapee support them too. Mac Photos and Preview open most RAW formats; on Windows, the free Raw Image Extension adds support to the Photos app. Without any of these, convert ARW to JPG online.

Extension
.arw
Made by
Sony cameras
Contains
Unprocessed sensor data
Best for
Editing straight-from-camera photos

What is a BMP file?

BMP (bitmap) is Microsoft's original Windows image format. It stores pixels with little or no compression, so it's simple and lossless but very large - a 12-megapixel photo can top 35 MB.

BMP is mainly found in older Windows software, some industrial and embedded systems, and scanner output. For almost every other use, PNG gives the same quality at a fraction of the size.

How to open a BMP file

Windows Photos and Paint open BMP files, as does Mac Preview. Most browsers can display them too. Convert to PNG for a lossless copy that's much smaller, or JPG for photos.

Extensions
.bmp, .dib
Compression
None (usually)
Transparency
Rarely supported
Best for
Legacy Windows software

ARW to BMP

ARW to BMP FAQ

Drag your ARW files onto the converter at the top of this page and press Convert. Download each BMP on its own or grab them all in one ZIP - no software, no account.