Recover RAW Photos from Sony α & Canon EOS — ARW, CR3, NEF Recovery Guide
Updated: May 2026 · 6 min read
Bottom line: RAW files (Sony ARW, Canon CR3/CR2, Nikon NEF) can be recovered with high probability using the PhotoRec file carving engine. Free scan to check, then $1.99 per recovered photo.
⚠️ Critical for RAW Recovery
RAW files are 30–80MB each. They're easily overwritten by new photos. Stop shooting immediately and remove the SD card from your camera.
Supported RAW Formats
| Brand | Camera Models | RAW Format | Supported |
|---|
| Sony | α7IV, α7C II, α6700, ZV-E10 II | .ARW | ✅ Yes |
| Canon | EOS R5, R6 II, R8, Rebel | .CR3 / .CR2 | ✅ Yes |
| Nikon | Z8, Z6 III, Z50 II | .NEF / .NRW | ✅ Yes |
| Fujifilm | X-T5, X-S20, X100VI | .RAF | ✅ Yes |
| Panasonic | LUMIX S5 II, GH7 | .RW2 | ✅ Yes |
| OM System | OM-1 Mark II, OM-5 | .ORF | ✅ Yes |
Why Other Software Fails to Find RAW Files
Many recovery tools are optimized for JPEG and struggle with RAW because:
- Each brand uses a proprietary format with different file headers
- RAW files (30–80MB) are large and prone to fragmentation
- JPEG+RAW dual recording creates complex disk layouts
How PhotoRec's File Carving Works for RAW
Instead of relying on the file system, PhotoRec scans every sector of the disk looking for known file signatures (magic bytes). For RAW files:
- Sony ARW → TIFF structure + Sony-specific metadata
- Canon CR3 → ISO Base Media File Format container
- Nikon NEF → TIFF/EP structure + Nikon proprietary tags
This means even if the file system is completely destroyed, RAW files can still be recovered as long as the data physically exists on disk.
Recovery Steps
- Connect SD card via card reader
Don't use camera USB — direct card reader access gives better results.
- Scan with PhotoRescue (Free)
PhotoRec engine scans all sectors. 64GB card takes about 15–30 minutes.
- Preview & recover
Found RAW files are listed with thumbnails. Pay $1.99 per file to recover.
Tips to Maximize RAW Recovery Success
- Scan immediately after deletion (less time = less overwrite risk)
- Don't write to the SD card (most important)
- Use a UHS-II card reader for faster scanning
- Ensure enough free space on your PC for recovered files
Recover Your RAW Files at Minimal Cost
$1.99 per photo
Free scan / ARW, CR3, NEF, RAF all supported / Mac & Windows
Try Free Scan
Summary
RAW files from Sony α, Canon EOS, Nikon Z, and other cameras can be recovered even when standard tools fail. PhotoRec's file carving technology finds RAW data directly from disk sectors.
- Stop shooting immediately (critical for large RAW files)
- Free scan to check if RAW files are recoverable
- $1.99 per photo, pay only for what you keep
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