.ARW · 2014 · 12 MP full-frame

Sony A7S RAW Files: Open, Cull & Edit .ARW Free

Built around low-light and video performance rather than resolution, and used more for event lighting tests and video stills than dedicated photo shoots. Because it was chosen for sensitivity over detail, stills output tends to be a secondary product of a video-focused shoot. Small file sizes make this one of the lighter workloads in the Sony full-frame line.

Sony A7S RAW at a glance

RAW formatARW — Sony Alpha RAW (.ARW)
Sensor12 MP full-frame
Resolution12 megapixels
Typical RAW sizeabout 10-13 MB
Released2014
RAW options14-bit ARW RAW, compressed by default; low pixel count keeps files small despite the full-frame sensor.

Editing A7S files with imagic

imagic opens .ARW files from the Sony A7S natively on Windows and macOS. Point it at a card or shoot folder and it builds previews, scores every frame for sharpness, closed eyes, and composition, and groups near-duplicate bursts — so a full shoot collapses to its keepers before you edit anything.

Processing runs through the bundled RawTherapee engine, entirely on your machine: batch-apply one look across the keepers and export JPEGs in a single pass. Nothing uploads, which matters at about 10-13 MB per frame. The 7-day trial is full-featured and needs no card; licenses are one-time, from €19.

Frequently asked questions

What RAW format does the Sony A7S use?

The Sony A7S writes ARW files with the .ARW extension. 14-bit ARW RAW, compressed by default; low pixel count keeps files small despite the full-frame sensor.

How big are Sony A7S RAW files?

Expect about 10-13 MB per frame from the 12 MP full-frame sensor, depending on compression settings and scene detail. A full shoot adds up quickly, which is why culling before editing matters on this body.

How can I open Sony A7S .ARW files for free?

imagic opens ARW files from the Sony A7S natively on Windows and macOS — the 7-day trial needs no card. It culls the shoot with AI quality scoring, groups duplicates, and batch-processes keepers locally through its RawTherapee engine.

More about ARW

The A7S's .ARW files share their structure with every Sony body using ARW — the full ARW guide covers compression variants, free openers, and conversion options in depth.

Other Sony bodies

Sony A7S III Sony A7C Sony A1 Sony A7 IV Sony A7R V Sony A7C II Sony A7C R Sony A9 III

Cull a A7S shoot before your coffee cools

AI quality scoring, duplicate grouping, and local batch processing for .ARW — free for 7 days, no card required.

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