ViewRawNow
Photos stay on this device

Fast · private · local browser processing

Online Sony ARW Viewer

Preview and review Sony ARW files directly in your browser. Photos stay on your device and are never uploaded.

No upload · No account · No installation

Why use ViewRawNow for ARW files?

ViewRawNow is a local-first review tool for quickly checking a folder of Sony RAW photos before editing.

  • No photo upload, account, or installation
  • See RAW previews quickly
  • Batch review, sorting, and larger previews
  • Quickly enlarge thumbnails and zoom in or out
  • Select photos you don't like individually, in groups, or as a range
  • Delete photos you don't want in Chrome or Edge

What is the ARW format?

ARW (Sony Alpha RAW) is a Sony camera RAW format. Its TIFF-derived RAW container normally stores sensor data, camera metadata, and embedded previews.

ViewRawNow reads camera-written JPEG previews first. It loads local LibRaw WASM only when a suitable embedded preview is unavailable; it does not claim to develop every camera or compression variant.

Open Sony ARW files online without Lightroom

Use ViewRawNow as a local ARW viewer when you want to inspect a Sony Alpha shoot before opening Lightroom or Imaging Edge. The browser reads the selected folder directly; no ARW file is uploaded.

Sony Alpha ARW compression and previews

ARW is Sony Alpha's TIFF-derived RAW format. Sony cameras can record compressed or uncompressed RAW, and newer bodies add compression variants that older decoders may not develop correctly.

The fast path follows TIFF, EXIF, and SubIFD references to camera-generated JPEGs. An embedded preview is intended for review and can be smaller, differently sharpened, or differently colored than a Lightroom rendering of the sensor data.

When no usable JPEG is present, ViewRawNow tries LibRaw locally. The real-camera regression set covers a Sony Alpha 7 III (ILCE-7M3) in 12-bit compressed and 14-bit uncompressed modes; newer compression variants depend on their embedded preview or the bundled LibRaw version. Older Sony SRF and SR2 are distinct formats, not alternate ARW extensions.

How ViewRawNow opens ARW files

  1. Find ARW files in the selected local folder and verify the TIFF-derived RAW container.
  2. Inspect TIFF, EXIF, and SubIFD JPEG previews for usable embedded images.
  3. Choose a preview near 1800 pixels for progressively rendered cards.
  4. Read the largest suitable preview only when the larger viewer opens.
  5. Use local LibRaw WASM only when no embedded preview can be used.
  6. Keep RAW bytes, filenames, paths, and EXIF data on the device.

Tested ARW compatibility

Real-camera tested

Real-camera regression coverage currently includes Sony Alpha 7 III (ILCE-7M3) samples.

  • 12-bit compressed ARW
  • 14-bit uncompressed ARW

Compatibility may vary by camera model and RAW compression mode.

Known ARW limitations

  • Compatibility can vary by camera model, firmware, and RAW recording mode.
  • The newest Sony compression variants may depend on an embedded JPEG or support in the bundled LibRaw version.
  • Not currently supported as ARW: Sony SRF and SR2.

Supported ARW review workflow

  • Browse an SD card or local RAW folder
  • See previews appear progressively and sort the shoot
  • Open a larger preview, then zoom and pan
  • Review available EXIF and capture information
  • Select individual rejects or a range
  • Delete confirmed originals or export a reject list

ARW viewer FAQ

Can I open ARW files online?

Yes. ViewRawNow opens ARW files from a local folder in your desktop browser. The review happens on your device rather than through a photo-upload service.

Are my ARW photos uploaded?

No. RAW data, previews, filenames, paths, and EXIF metadata remain in the browser. ViewRawNow has no RAW photo upload endpoint.

Can ViewRawNow edit or convert ARW files?

No. ViewRawNow is for previewing, sorting, inspecting, and selecting RAW photos. It does not adjust or convert sensor data.

Which Sony cameras are tested?

The current real-camera regression baseline covers Sony Alpha 7 III (ILCE-7M3) with these samples: 12-bit compressed ARW, 14-bit uncompressed ARW. Other models may work, but they are not claimed as verified.

Why can ARW previews fail?

A usable embedded JPEG may be missing or damaged, or the file may use a variant that the bundled LibRaw cannot decode. The newest Sony compression variants may depend on an embedded JPEG or support in the bundled LibRaw version.