Sony RAW photo recovery

How to Recover Deleted Sony ARW Files from SD Card?

Deleted ARW photos can remain on an SD card until new data replaces them. Stop using the card, then try the least risky recovery route that fits its condition.

By Dvdrw Howtos Editorial Team Published · Updated
Quick answer

Remove the SD card from your Sony camera, then do not shoot, format, or repair it. For a healthy card, scan it with Disk Drill, filter for ARW files, preview several results, then recover them to a different drive. Create a byte-to-byte image first if the card is unstable.

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Do not take more photos, format the card, run CHKDSK, or save recovered files back to it. Each write can replace deleted ARW data. If the card disconnects or reports read errors, make an image first or stop for a lab assessment.

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Recover Deleted Sony ARW Photos → Disk Drill

Scans SD cards for Sony ARW files · Preview results before recovery · Available for Windows plus macOS

✓ Sony ARW support ✓ Byte-to-byte imaging ✓ Windows plus macOS
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Why Deleted Sony ARW Files May Still Be Recoverable

Deleting a photo usually removes its directory reference before the camera erases the underlying image data. Recovery remains possible while those card sectors have not been reused. Taking even a short burst after the loss can overwrite several large RAW files, so the safest camera setting is power off.

Formatting is not always the end either. A quick in-camera format often rebuilds file-system structures while leaving older content in unallocated space. A full overwrite, secure erase, or heavy reuse changes the outlook sharply.

When Software Should Not Scan a Damaged SD Card

Skip direct software scans if the card is cracked, wet, unusually hot, invisible in Disk Management or Disk Utility, or constantly reconnecting. Repeated power cycles can make an electrical fault worse. One careful imaging attempt may be reasonable for a card with mild read errors, but irreplaceable client work deserves a lab assessment before more DIY tests.

Choose a Sony ARW Recovery Method for Your SD Card

Match the method to the card’s condition, not just the way the photos disappeared.

Method Best for Time Success rate
1. Scan the SD Card With Disk Drill TRY FIRST Deleted or formatted ARW files ~10–30 min ● 90%
2. Scan a Byte-to-Byte Card Image Unstable or corrupted cards ~30–90 min ● 82%
3. Carve ARW Photos With PhotoRec Free deep recovery ~30–120 min ● 72%
4. Find Existing Copies of the ARW Files Previously imported photos ~5–20 min ● 100%
5. Send the SD Card to a Recovery Lab Physical or electronic failure ~3–10 days ● 65%

Top 5 Methods to Recover Deleted Sony ARW Files From an SD Card

01

Scan the SD Card With Disk Drill

Best first move for an accidentally deleted or formatted Sony memory card

~10–30 min
Difficulty Easy
You need Disk Drill plus a card reader
Works for Windows, Mac

Disk Drill can search an SD card for deleted Sony ARW photos through file-system records or file signatures. It supports ARW files, offers previews before recovery, plus works with common SD card formats such as FAT32 or exFAT.

  1. Remove the SD card from the Sony camera immediately, then slide its lock tab into the locked position if it has one.
  2. Install Disk Drill on the computer’s internal drive, not on the affected card.
  3. Connect the card through a reliable USB card reader, open Disk Drill, then select the whole SD card from the device list.
  4. Click Search for lost data, let every scan finish, then open Pictures or filter the results by .arw .
  5. Preview several photos at full size. Select the intact ARW files, click Recover, then save them to the computer or another healthy drive.
Disk Drill Review ↗
i A working preview is a much better sign than a filename or recovery-chance label alone.
Visit the Disk Drill website
02

Scan a Byte-to-Byte Card Image

Safer for an unstable card that disconnects, stalls, or triggers format warnings

~30–90 min
Difficulty Moderate
You need Disk Drill plus free disk space
Works for Windows, Mac

A sector-level image freezes the card’s current contents inside one large file. You can scan that copy instead of repeatedly stressing a questionable SD card.

  1. Connect the SD card once, then dismiss any Windows or macOS message asking to initialize, erase, repair, or format it.
  2. Open Disk Drill’s Byte-to-byte Backup tool, then select the physical SD card.
  3. Save the image to a healthy drive with free space greater than the card’s full capacity. A 128 GB card needs at least 128 GB free, plus a little breathing room.
  4. When imaging finishes, disconnect the original card, return to Storage Devices, then choose Attach disk image.
  5. Select the attached image, run Search for lost data, filter for ARW , preview the results, then recover them to a separate drive.
i If imaging produces constant read errors or the card keeps vanishing, stop rather than forcing repeated passes.
Read about Disk Drill disk imaging
03

Carve ARW Photos With PhotoRec

Free fallback for formatted cards or damaged file systems

~30–120 min
Difficulty Moderate
You need PhotoRec plus a card reader
Works for Windows, Mac, Linux

PhotoRec ignores much of the file system, then searches raw card space for recognizable file content. That helps after formatting or directory damage, though original filenames plus folders are often lost.

  1. Download PhotoRec from the official CGSecurity project, extract the full archive, then launch QPhotoRec if you prefer a graphical window.
  2. Select the SD card by checking its capacity carefully. Do not select the computer’s system disk by mistake.
  3. Open File Formats, clear unnecessary formats, then enable the relevant RAW photo family plus JPEG if the camera recorded RAW+JPEG.
  4. Choose the card partition. Use the whole-device option if the partition is missing or badly damaged.
  5. Set a recovery folder on the computer or another external drive, start the search, then sort the recovered files by extension, dimensions, date, or embedded metadata.
i Expect generic names such as f123456.arw. A photo catalog app can help rebuild order from EXIF capture times.
Open the official PhotoRec documentation
04

Find Existing Copies of the ARW Files

Fastest option if the photos were imported, synchronized, or backed up earlier

~5–20 min
Difficulty Easy
You need Previous import or backup
Works for Any platform

Before running another long scan, look for copies created during an earlier import. Lightroom Classic, Capture One, Finder, File Explorer, backup software, plus cloud-sync folders may hold the originals somewhere unexpected.

  1. Search every computer used for photo imports for *.arw , then sort the results by capture date or file size.
  2. Check the Pictures folder, Lightroom import destinations, Capture One catalogs, Sony Imaging Edge folders, plus any custom job folders.
  3. Inspect external backup drives, NAS snapshots, Windows File History, Time Machine, OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, or other services used on that computer.
  4. Open the photo catalog even if the source card shows as missing. Use its file-location command to reveal where the original sits.
  5. Copy any discovered ARW files to a fresh folder, then open several in a RAW editor to confirm that they contain full image data.
i Cloud photo galleries sometimes store only JPEG previews, so verify the extension plus file size before treating a copy as the original RAW file.
05

Send the SD Card to a Recovery Lab

Right choice for physical damage or a card that no computer can detect

~3–10 days
Difficulty Easy for you
You need A reputable recovery lab
Works for Physically damaged cards

Software cannot scan storage that no longer presents readable memory to the computer. A lab may work around failed controllers, broken contacts, cracked boards, or damaged NAND components with specialized hardware.

  1. Stop powering the card if it becomes hot, smells burned, has a cracked shell, or repeatedly disconnects from multiple known-good readers.
  2. Place the SD card in an antistatic bag or rigid memory-card case. Do not bend it, clean contacts with abrasives, or open the casing.
  3. Contact a lab that handles flash-memory recovery, then ask about evaluation fees, return-shipping terms, confidentiality, plus whether payment depends on usable results.
  4. Describe exactly what happened, including deletion, in-camera formatting, water exposure, impact damage, or any software scans already attempted.
  5. Request a file listing or sample previews before approving the final recovery, then provide a healthy destination drive for returned ARW files.
i Avoid local repair counters that plan to run ordinary recovery software on a physically failing card. That is not the same as flash-memory lab work.

Which Sony ARW Recovery Method Should You Try?

Start with Disk Drill if the SD card is healthy, readable, plus no new photos have been written to it. Its ARW filtering plus preview feature makes it easier to separate intact Sony RAW files from unusable scan results. Make a byte-to-byte image before scanning an unreliable card, use PhotoRec when you need a free fallback, or choose a recovery lab when the hardware itself has failed.

Top pick Disk Drill
Keep the original SD card untouched until every recovered ARW file opens correctly in a compatible RAW editor.

Sony ARW Recovery Questions, Answered

How do I recover deleted Sony ARW files from an SD card after accidental deletion?
Stop using the card right away so new photos do not overwrite the lost ARW files. Then connect the SD card to a computer, run a file recovery tool that supports Sony ARW raw files, and save the recovered files to a different drive.
Can I recover ARW files from a Sony SD card after formatting it?
Yes, if the card was only formatted and not heavily used afterward, recovery is often still possible. Quick format is usually easier to recover from than a full format, so act fast and avoid taking more photos.
What is the best way to recover deleted Sony ARW files without damaging the SD card?
Use a card reader instead of connecting the camera directly, since that is usually more stable. Also scan the card in read-only mode if your recovery app offers it, then copy the recovered files to your computer, not back onto the card.
Why do some recovered Sony ARW files not open properly?
That usually means the file was partly overwritten or the recovery process restored a damaged header. Try a different recovery tool, recover again from the original card image if possible, or check whether the camera can still preview the file.
Is it possible to recover ARW files from a Sony SD card on a Mac?
Yes, many Mac recovery tools can scan SD cards for ARW files. The main rule is the same on Mac or Windows, do not save recovered files onto the same card you are trying to rescue.
Is free software good enough for Sony ARW file recovery?
For simple deletion cases, free tools can work well enough to restore ARW files. If the card was formatted, corrupted, or partially damaged, a paid tool may give you better scan options and preview support.
How long does Sony ARW recovery from an SD card usually take?
It depends on the card size, scan method, plus how many deleted files are on it. A quick scan may finish in minutes, while a deep scan on a large card can take much longer.
Can I recover ARW files after the SD card says it needs to be formatted?
Often yes, but do not format it again if you want the best chance of recovery. Use recovery software first, or make a sector-by-sector image of the card if it is showing errors.
What should I do if my Sony camera cannot read the SD card anymore?
Try the card in another reader or another computer to rule out a device issue. If the card still is not readable, stop testing it repeatedly and use recovery software that can scan damaged media.
How can I tell whether my deleted Sony ARW files are still recoverable?
There is no perfect sign, but the odds are better if you stopped using the card immediately after deletion. If you kept shooting, copied new videos, or reformatted the card multiple times, recovery becomes harder.
Should I recover Sony ARW files from the SD card or from a computer backup first?
Always check your computer, cloud backup, or photo import folders first because that is faster and safer. If the files are not there, then move on to the SD card recovery step.
What file recovery tool works best for Sony ARW files from SD cards?
Look for software that can detect raw photo formats, preview camera files, plus recover from memory cards without writing to them. The best choice is usually the one that supports ARW specifically and lets you save recovered files elsewhere.
Can I recover ARW files if the SD card was accidentally copied over with new photos?
Sometimes, but overwritten files are much harder to bring back in full. If only part of the card was reused, some older ARW files may still be recoverable, especially from unused areas.
Why are my recovered Sony ARW files smaller than the originals?
A smaller size often means the recovery tool found only partial data. That can happen when the file was fragmented, overwritten, or pulled from a damaged card with missing blocks.
What is the safest workflow for September 2026 if I need to recover Sony ARW files today?
Remove the SD card from the camera, put it in a card reader, then make a full backup image before scanning. Recover the ARW files from that image, save them to your computer, then verify that each file opens in your photo software.