Convert ARW to JPG

.ARW files are Sonys proprietary RAW image format used by their Alpha series digital cameras. These files contain uncompressed, unprocessed image data directly from the cameras sensor, preserving maximum quality and detail. While larger than JPEG files, .ARW files offer photographers greater flexibility in post-processing, allowing adjustments to white balance, exposure, and color without quality loss.

JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) files are widely used digital image formats that efficiently compress photographs and complex graphics. Using lossy compression, JPGs reduce file size by selectively discarding visual data while maintaining reasonable image quality. They support millions of colors and are ideal for sharing photos online, in emails, or storing digital memories. Common file extensions include .jpg and .jpeg.

JPG/JPEG files do not support transparency. The format only handles fully opaque pixels and cannot display partially transparent or completely transparent areas. For images requiring transparency, use PNG or WebP formats instead. PNG files support both binary transparency (fully transparent or fully opaque) and alpha channel transparency (varying levels of transparency), while WebP offers modern compression with transparency support.

Converting from Sony RAW (.arw) to JPEG (.jpg) results in noticeable quality loss due to compression. RAW files contain unprocessed sensor data with greater color depth (14-bit) and dynamic range, while JPEGs use lossy compression and are limited to 8-bit color depth. Key quality differences: - Reduced editing flexibility - Loss of shadow and highlight detail - Decreased color accuracy - Compression artifacts in gradients - Lower dynamic range - Less detail in extreme exposure adjustments For maximum image quality, edit the original .arw file and export to JPEG only as the final step. This preserves the most detail while creating shareable files.