How to Read ARW Metadata (Sony RAW)
A Sony .arw file stores standard EXIF (camera, lens, exposure, date, and GPS if supplied) plus Sony's MakerNotes with extra shooting detail. The fastest way to read it is to drop the file into the ARW metadata viewer, which parses the RAW and extracts the embedded preview in your browser, with no Sony software. Here's what an ARW contains.
What is an ARW file?
ARW is Sony's RAW format, used across the Alpha lineup, the a7, a7R, a7S, a9, a1, and a6000-series bodies. It's a TIFF/EXIF-based container. Recent Sony cameras offer compressed, uncompressed, and lossless-compressed RAW, all using the .arw extension with the same metadata structure.
What metadata an ARW stores
| Category | Fields |
|---|---|
| Camera | Body model, serial number, firmware |
| Lens | Lens model, focal length |
| Exposure | Aperture, shutter speed, ISO, metering, exposure mode |
| Date & time | Capture, digitized, modified |
| GPS | Coordinates, if supplied (e.g. via the Sony phone app) |
| Sony MakerNotes | Focus data, drive mode, and other shooting settings |
The standard fields appear in organized tabs; the complete set, including MakerNotes, shows in the raw data dump.
How to read ARW metadata
- In your browser: the ARW viewer reads the RAW and extracts the embedded preview, entirely on your device.
- Sony Imaging Edge: Sony's software shows shooting information for ARW files.
- Lightroom or Camera Raw: Adobe apps read ARW and display metadata, mapping much of it into XMP.
Does an ARW show shutter count?
No. Sony does not expose shutter actuations in photo metadata, so it won't appear in an ARW. If you're verifying a used Sony body, rely on the serial number and physical condition instead; see our shutter count guide for the details on which brands do expose it.
Do ARW files contain GPS?
Standalone Alpha bodies don't have built-in GPS, so an ARW only carries coordinates if location was supplied, for example through the Sony phone app during capture. When present, the location appears on a map in the GPS tab. If you plan to share, remember any embedded location can reveal where a photo was taken; see removing GPS location data.
Why some tools can't open an ARW
Newer Sony bodies and compression modes can trip up generic viewers. A tool with dedicated ARW support reads it directly and pulls the embedded preview. The full EXIF viewer supports every major RAW format.
Frequently asked questions
How do I open an ARW file to read its metadata?
Drop the .arw into a browser viewer like ExifGrabber's ARW viewer, which parses the Sony RAW and extracts the embedded preview. You can also use Sony Imaging Edge or Adobe Lightroom.
Does a Sony ARW show the shutter count?
No. Sony doesn't write shutter actuations into photo metadata, so it won't appear in an ARW. Verifying a used Sony relies on the serial number and condition instead.
Can I read ARW metadata without Sony software?
Yes. A browser-based viewer reads ARW directly and shows the full metadata plus the embedded preview, with no Imaging Edge or Adobe software needed.
Do ARW files contain GPS data?
Only if location was supplied, for example via the Sony phone app, since standalone Alpha cameras lack built-in GPS. Any coordinates present show on a map in the GPS tab.
What are Sony MakerNotes?
MakerNotes are a Sony-specific block inside the metadata holding extra detail like focus data and drive mode. A viewer's raw data dump exposes these fields.