ARW
Sony Alpha RAW
ARW is Sony's RAW file format for Alpha and ZV cameras, available as uncompressed, compressed or, on newer bodies, lossless compressed RAW.
Sony Alpha and ZV cameras save their RAW files as ARW. Each holds the sensor data before processing, an embedded JPEG preview and EXIF metadata. Lightroom, Capture One, Photo Mechanic and Sony's Imaging Edge read ARW.
Which compression options you get depends on the body: older models offer uncompressed and compressed; newer ones add lossless compressed, and some add size options too.
How it works
Uncompressed ARW keeps everything at the largest size. Compressed ARW saves space with lossy compression that's rarely visible but can show in extreme edits. Lossless compressed ARW, on recent bodies, shrinks files with no data loss — usually the best balance. See lossless compressed RAW.
An example: a creator on a ZV-E10
A content creator shoots ARW+JPEG on a ZV-E10 for product photos. The JPEGs go straight to a shared folder for the client to review, and the ARW files are edited later for the final set.
ARW and CloudTether
CloudTether tethers Sony cameras over USB (verified on a ZV-E10) with the camera's USB Connection Mode set to PC Remote; newer bodies such as the α1, α9 III, α7 IV, α7R V and α7C II can also use wireless PC Remote. ARW files go unchanged to storage destinations such as Dropbox, Google Drive, S3 or FTP; JPEG-only galleries skip them. Rated send isn't available for Sony — in PC Remote the phone can't see the card's ratings — so every shot is sent. Use JPEG only to leave ARW on the card.
PC Remote and file choice
In PC Remote mode, Sony cameras have a setting for where images are saved — the PC, the camera or both — and which formats are sent. Check it so the files you want reach the phone, and keep a copy on the card.
Tips and common mistakes
- ZV bodies default to USB streaming — switch to PC Remote to tether.
- Choose lossless compressed ARW where available.
- Keep images saving to the card as well as the phone.
Put it into practice
CloudTether tethers your camera to your phone and delivers every shot to the cloud, live as you shoot — no laptop.