ARW to AVIF Converter
Convert ARW to AVIF in your browser. The full-size JPEG Sony stores in the file is what gets converted, so the sensor coding never reaches the output. No raw development happens here. You get an AVIF encoded with libavif (AV1) compiled to WebAssembly, at the quality you choose. Nothing is uploaded.
- Processed locally
- No upload, no wait
- No sign-up
- No watermark
Drop images here
or choose files · paste with Ctrl/⌘ V
RAW expected · other image formats also work
How to use ARW to AVIF
- 1
Add your ARW files: drop them here, choose them, or paste from the clipboard.
- 2
Set the quality. AVIF quality numbers run lower than JPEG: around 55 to 65 already looks excellent. Encoding is slow on phones.
- 3
Click Convert. Each file is decoded and encoded in a background thread on this device.
- 4
Download the .avif files one at a time or together as a ZIP.
Why use Aback Images for arw to avif
Where the AVIF goes next
AVIF opens in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari 16 and later, Windows 11 Photos, macOS Preview and recent editors.
AVIF next to ARW
The AVIF is made from the camera's 8-bit preview, so it is a small fraction of a 25 to 80 MB raw file.
A second JPEG generation
The pixels come from the JPEG preview the camera embedded in the ARW, so they have been compressed once already; keep the quality at or above the default.
Processed on your device
Your images are decoded, edited and encoded inside this browser tab by Web Workers. Nothing is uploaded to a server.
ARW vs AVIF
What changes from ARW to AVIF
Encoding: the ARW uses Sony's lossy compressed raw, uncompressed (since the A7R II) or lossless compressed (since the A1); AVIF uses lossy or lossless AV1 intra-frame coding, and the download is an AVIF encoded with libavif (AV1) compiled to WebAssembly, at the quality you choose.
Bit depth: 12 or 14 bits per channel in the ARW; AVIF allows 8, 10 or 12 bits per channel, and the AVIF written here has 8 bits per channel. The sensor's 12 or 14 bits are not used: the 8-bit camera preview is converted.
Colour: camera RGB from a Bayer mosaic in the ARW; AVIF supports YUV 4:4:4 or 4:2:0 with BT.709, Display P3 or BT.2020 primaries, HDR curves possible, written here as 8-bit sRGB.
Metadata: the ARW can carry EXIF, Sony maker notes, a thumbnail and a full-size JPEG; AVIF can carry EXIF, XMP and ICC stored as HEIF items, but nothing is copied across.
About ARW
ARW is the raw format of Sony Alpha, RX and Cyber-shot cameras. It stores the sensor data (compressed, uncompressed or lossless compressed, depending on the model) with a full-size JPEG preview.
ARW is TIFF-based: the first directory carries EXIF and Sony's JPEG preview and the sensor data sits in a sub-directory. In Sony's classic compressed raw each block of 16 same-colour pixels keeps an 11-bit maximum and minimum plus 7-bit steps for the rest, which can leave artefacts beside high-contrast edges.
ARW files usually come from Sony Alpha mirrorless and SLT cameras, RX compacts and some Cyber-shot models.
About AVIF
AVIF uses the AV1 video codec for still images. It is the most efficient widely supported format, often half the size of JPEG, with HDR, wide colour and transparency, but encoding is slow.
An AVIF is a HEIF file, the same ISO base media boxes as MP4, with the brand 'avif'. The picture is an AV1 key frame stored as an image item, and its size, colour and pixel layout are item properties.
When converting ARW to AVIF makes sense
AVIF is the better choice for maximum compression on modern websites, while ARW suits editing Sony photos in a raw developer.
AVIF strengths: Often 50% smaller than JPEG; Excellent at low quality settings; Transparency, HDR and 10/12-bit colour. Drawbacks to weigh: Slow to encode, especially on phones; Not supported by some older software; Can smooth away fine texture at low quality.
Limitations
- Creative Look or Picture Profile settings are baked into that preview; a raw editor can start again from neutral.
- AVIF encoding is CPU-heavy, so large images and big batches take noticeably longer than JPG or WebP, especially on phones.
- Some older apps and operating systems cannot open AVIF yet; keep a JPG copy if you share the file widely.
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Related tools
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Frequently asked questions
Does converting ARW to AVIF lose quality?
AVIF is lossy, so detail the eye barely notices is discarded to save space. The ARW's preview is a camera JPEG already, so keep the quality high to avoid stacking artefacts. The sensor's 12 or 14 bits are not used: the 8-bit camera preview is converted.
What quality should I choose for AVIF?
AVIF quality numbers run lower than JPEG: around 55 to 65 already looks excellent. Lower values give much smaller files with gentle softening. Encoding is CPU-heavy, so large batches take a while on phones.
Which apps open AVIF files?
Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari 16 and later, Windows 11 Photos, macOS Preview and recent editors. It opens in Chrome 85+, Edge, Firefox 93+ and Safari 16+.
Are my images uploaded anywhere?
No. Processing happens inside your browser with WebAssembly and Web Workers. The site only downloads the app code and codecs; your files never leave your device. You can confirm this with the live upload counter on the tool, or in your browser's network panel.
Can I process many files at once?
Yes. Drop a whole selection or folder. Files are processed in parallel on several worker threads, each result can be downloaded on its own, and everything can be saved as one ZIP.
Is it free? Is there a file limit or watermark?
It is free with no account, no watermark and no daily limit. The only limit is your device's memory: very large images (over roughly 100 megapixels) may be refused to keep the tab from crashing.