Why convert ARW to DNG?
ARW is Sony's proprietary raw format whose long-term support depends on third-party software updating for each new camera body. DNG is an open, publicly documented Adobe format supported across most raw editors and archival workflows. Photographers convert ARW to DNG for long-term archiving and to work in software that benefits from a format-agnostic raw container.
How to convert ARW to DNG
Adobe DNG Converter FREE
Download the free Adobe DNG Converter from adobe.com, select your .arw files or folder, choose an output location, and click Convert; it writes a .dng alongside each original.
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom APP
In Lightroom, go to File > Import Photos, check 'Copy as DNG', and import your .arw files; Lightroom writes .dng files directly to your chosen destination.
Programs that convert ARW
About these formats
.ARW
Sony Alpha Raw (Sony digital camera raw image)
An ARW file is a raw image from a Sony Alpha (or Cyber-shot) camera - the unprocessed sensor data, like a digital negative. On Windows, install the free Raw Image Extension from the…
Open .ARW details →
.DNG
Digital Negative (Adobe DNG)
A DNG file is a RAW photo in Adobe's open Digital Negative format - unprocessed sensor data that you develop in software before sharing. On Windows, install the free Raw Image Extension to…
Open .DNG details →Quality & what to watch
- The conversion repackages raw sensor data without rendering it - no quality is lost and the DNG can be developed exactly like the original ARW.
- Adobe DNG Converter embeds the original ARW inside the DNG by default; disabling this saves space but removes Sony MakerNote data permanently.
- New Sony camera bodies require an updated DNG Converter; always use the latest version when processing files from a recently released body.
