Windows program to create 16 bit color pics ?

Hello,
I would like to create bitmaps of my models (96x96 pixel 16 bit color, right?).
I got no problem to reduce pics at 96x96 pixel, but I can't find any program
to reduce color depth to 16 bit. Every program capable of color depth resizing only support 4, 8, 24 and 32 bit color depth.
What can I do to get 16 bit color depth ?

Thanks

Try GIMP (free, available for windows/Linux) or Photoshop (not free, windows only).

This is how Phracturedblue instructed me on how to convert photos using Gimp...

"Open the bmp by File->Open or draggig it into GIMP (I recommend setting Windows->Single Window Mode in order to make Gimp easier to use)

Then do File->Export To
name the file <file>.bmp
Open 'Advanced' and set the type to either RGB565 or ARGB1555 depending on if you have transparency or not (both in the 16bit section)
Then save and you are done. "

it works perfectly i have assigned pics to all me models simple by making them 96x96 and using gimp to save them as above...

Thank you marty,
very helpful !