# Sony RAW Editing on a Mac

> Edit Sony RAW on a Mac: what ARW, SR2 and SRF files are, how to open and convert them, and which editors fit each Alpha body — plus how RevelRaw handles them.

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Updated July 25, 2026 · Daniel Tello · RevelRaw

Sony Alpha is where [RevelRaw](https://revelraw.com/index.md) runs deepest: `.ARW` is the format the app was designed around, and this page collects everything on the site for Sony shooters — three RAW formats, the how-tos, and editor comparisons for specific Alpha bodies. Drag any Sony RAW in and AI scene detection ranks 40+ presets against the photograph, with the full set of fine-tune controls on top. Everything runs on your Mac; no file ever leaves it.

## Sony's three RAW formats

| Extension | Era | Written by | Guide |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `.ARW` | 2006 → | Every Sony Alpha body | [What is an ARW file?](https://revelraw.com/blog/what-is-an-arw-file.md) |
| `.SR2` | 2005 | DSC-R1, the pre-Alpha bridge camera | [What is an SR2 file?](https://revelraw.com/blog/what-is-an-sr2-file.md) |
| `.SRF` | 2001–2004 | Early Cyber-shot (F707, F717, F828) | [What is an SRF file?](https://revelraw.com/blog/what-is-an-srf-file.md) |

Modern bodies write ARW with up to three compression settings — Compressed, Lossless Compressed and Uncompressed — and which ones exist depends on the generation. Lossless Compressed is the one to shoot where offered: full quality, two-thirds the size.

## Guides for Sony shooters

- [How to open ARW files on a Mac](https://revelraw.com/blog/how-to-open-arw-files-on-mac.md) — what works out of the box, and the fixes when Preview refuses a file.
- [How to convert ARW to JPEG on a Mac](https://revelraw.com/blog/convert-arw-to-jpeg-mac.md) — Preview, Photos, the `sips` command for whole folders, and editing first.
- [Best editing software for the a7 IV](https://revelraw.com/blog/best-photo-editing-software-sony-a7-iv.md) · [the a7 III](https://revelraw.com/blog/best-photo-editing-software-sony-a7-iii.md) · [the a6700](https://revelraw.com/blog/best-photo-editing-software-sony-a6700.md) · [the A7R V](https://revelraw.com/blog/best-photo-editing-software-sony-a7r-v.md) — seven editors judged per body.
- [Lightroom alternatives for Sony shooters](https://revelraw.com/blog/lightroom-alternative-sony-mac.md) — six escape routes compared by price model.
- [RAW vs JPEG on a Sony Alpha](https://revelraw.com/blog/raw-vs-jpeg-sony-alpha.md) — what the ARW records that the JPEG throws away.
- [Getting the film look from a Sony RAW](https://revelraw.com/blog/film-look-sony-raw.md) — faded blacks, curve shoulders, grain, and the Portra and Velvia color moves.

## What to know before your first edit

The thing that surprises every new Alpha owner: **Creative Looks are metadata**. The FL or IN look you picked on the camera is stored in the ARW as a note, and only Sony's own Imaging Edge Desktop renders it — every other editor, ours included, starts from the neutral sensor data. Your import isn't broken; the camera preview was a processed JPEG. The second thing is generational: **compression options changed across bodies**, and software support for the newest setting has historically lagged a few months behind each camera launch.

Open an ARW in RevelRaw and it decodes the sensor data on your Mac, classifies the scene, and ranks its 40+ presets so the most relevant looks surface first — then you fine-tune exposure, color, curves and grain, and export as JPEG, PNG, TIFF or HEIF with platform presets for Instagram, print and web.

## FAQ

### Does RevelRaw open Sony RAW files?

Yes — ARW from every Alpha body, plus SR2 and SRF from the pre-Alpha era. Sony is the app's deepest specialty.

### Does RevelRaw render Creative Looks?

No — and neither does anyone except Sony's Imaging Edge. The look is metadata; third-party editors start from the neutral sensor data.

### Which ARW compression setting should I shoot?

Lossless Compressed where your body has it. Availability varies by generation — the a7 III lacks it, the a7 IV has it.

### Why won't my ARW file open on my Mac?

A just-released body can wait months for Apple's RAW support. Imaging Edge reads every ARW today, and RAW+JPEG keeps you covered meanwhile.

**See a Sony file the fast way.** Download RevelRaw, drop an `.ARW` in, and watch it ranked against 40+ presets in seconds — with one full-quality export on the house. [Get it on the Mac App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id6773942240?pt=120914369&ct=Sony&mt=8) (requires macOS 26 or later).

Related reading: [All RAW formats RevelRaw opens](https://revelraw.com/formats.md) · [ARW editing in RevelRaw](https://revelraw.com/arw.md) · [Free RAW EXIF viewer](https://revelraw.com/exif-viewer.md) · [The RevelRaw blog](https://revelraw.com/blog/index.md)