Quick answer: To send a large ARW file, upload it to Share Large Video Files (up to 20 GB, no account) and share the download link: the file arrives unchanged. One uncompressed 33 MP ARW photo is about 70 MB, more than most email providers accept.
What is a ARW file?
ARW is the raw format of Sony Alpha cameras, from the a6000 series to the a7 and a1 lines. Photographers shoot ARW for maximum latitude when editing exposure, colour and highlights.
Sony offers compressed, lossless compressed and uncompressed RAW on most recent bodies. Uncompressed files on high-resolution cameras such as the a7R V (61 MP) are among the largest stills files from any mainstream camera.
Extensions: .arw, .srf, .sr2.
How big are ARW files?
| File | Typical size |
|---|---|
| One 24 MP photo (a6400, compressed RAW) | about 24 MB |
| One 33 MP photo (a7 IV, compressed / uncompressed) | about 35 MB / about 70 MB |
| One 61 MP photo (a7R V, uncompressed) | about 120 MB |
| One 61 MP photo (lossless compressed) | roughly 60 to 80 MB |
Which apps can send one?
Can you send one uncompressed 33 MP ARW photo (about 70 MB) as an attachment?
| App | Limit | Fits? |
|---|---|---|
| Gmail | 25 MB per email | No, send a link |
| Outlook.com | 20 to 25 MB per email | No, send a link |
| WhatsApp (document) | 2 GB per file | Yes |
| Telegram | 2 GB per file | Yes |
| Facebook Messenger | 100 MB per file | Yes |
| Discord (free) | 20 MB per file | No, send a link |
| Slack | 1 GB per file | Yes |
| WeTransfer (free) | 3 GB per transfer | Yes |
| Share Large Video Files | 20 GB per transfer | Send the link anywhere |
Limits from our file size limits by app table, checked against each service's help pages.
How to send ARW files without changing them
- Open Share Large Video Files in any browser and choose Get a link (or Send by email).
- Drop ARW files on the upload box, or pick a whole folder. Up to 20 GB and 1000 files per transfer.
- Optional: add a password, a download limit or an expiry under More options.
- Copy the link (or show the QR code) and send it by chat or email. The recipient downloads the original file, byte for byte.
Tips for sending ARW files
- Check your RAW setting before a big shoot; uncompressed files on a 61 MP body double the transfer size.
- Keep .XMP sidecars with the ARW files if you have started editing.
- Send a folder of small JPEGs as well if the client needs to choose images first.
- Batch a large shoot into several transfers by card to make downloads easier to resume.
How to open a ARW file
Frequently asked questions
Why is my Sony ARW file over 100 MB?
You are probably shooting uncompressed RAW on a high-resolution body such as the a7R V. Lossless compressed RAW keeps the same data at about half the size.
Is lossless compressed ARW worse quality?
No. Lossless compression keeps every bit of sensor data, like a zip file. Sony's older plain compressed RAW is slightly lossy.
Can clients open ARW files without Lightroom?
Yes. Sony Imaging Edge is free, and a Mac can open many ARW files in Preview. Most clients prefer JPEGs, though.
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