View ARW EXIF Metadata

EXIF data isnt guaranteed to be present in all ARW photos, despite being Sonys proprietary raw format. While ARW files typically contain extensive metadata by default, several factors can affect its presence or completeness. Some older Sony cameras might not record comprehensive EXIF information, and certain image editing software can inadvertently strip or modify this metadata during processing. Additionally, if photographers deliberately use metadata removal tools or export the ARW files through specific workflows, the EXIF data could be partially or completely eliminated. Once EXIF data is removed, theres no reliable way to determine whether it existed in the original file, making it impossible to verify if an ARW file originally contained this information. This uncertainty about EXIF data persistence is particularly relevant for photographers who need to maintain detailed records of their shooting parameters or for those working with archived images where camera settings and capture conditions are crucial.

ARW photos can reveal their capture location if GPS data (geotags) was enabled when the image was taken. To check this information, simply upload your ARW file to Framebird, which will display any embedded location data. However, if privacy is a concern, you can disable geotagging in your phones camera settings before taking pictures, preventing GPS coordinates from being stored within the image files. This location tracking feature is particularly useful for photographers who want to remember exactly where they captured specific shots, but its equally important to know how to disable it when privacy is paramount. Keep in mind that older photos or those taken with geotagging turned off wont contain this location information, making it impossible to determine their capture location through metadata analysis.

Once an image has been edited to blur, censor, or hide certain parts, those areas cannot be recovered or revealed in the original ARW photo file. The blurred or hidden sections permanently alter the actual pixel data of the image, and this modification is separate from the EXIF metadata stored within the file. EXIF data only contains technical information about how the photo was taken, such as camera settings, date, time, and location, but does not preserve or store the original unedited pixels. When someone deliberately obscures part of an image, they are making permanent changes to the visual content that cannot be reversed by examining metadata or using photo editing software. The only way to see what was originally in those censored areas would be to access an unedited version of the image that was saved before the modifications were made.

EXIF data in ARW files, like any other image format, cannot be guaranteed to be authentic or unaltered. While ARW files are Sonys proprietary raw format, their metadata remains susceptible to modification using various software tools and editors. Anyone with access to metadata editing software can change critical EXIF information such as camera settings, capture date, location data, and other technical details. This means that even though ARW files contain detailed camera and exposure information, theres no foolproof way to verify whether the EXIF data represents the original capture settings or has been manipulated afterward. This vulnerability in metadata integrity makes EXIF data unreliable as definitive proof of image authenticity or specific shooting conditions, particularly in situations where verification of original capture details is crucial.

Checking EXIF data of ARW photos on Framebird is completely secure and private, as the platform processes all information locally within your browser without any file uploads or data transfers to external servers. The tool uses the open-source ExifReader library, which can be independently verified through its public GitHub repository. Since your ARW files remain exclusively on your device during the entire analysis process, theres no risk of data exposure or privacy breaches. This client-side processing approach not only ensures maximum security but also saves bandwidth since no data transmission occurs. Photographers and professionals can confidently use Framebirds EXIF viewer to examine their Sony RAW (ARW) files metadata while maintaining full control over their sensitive image data and technical information.

We support all common image file formats including JPG, PNG, TIFF, AVIF, WEBP, HEIC, HEIF, JFIF, CR3, ARW, NEF, RAW and more. Your files never leave your device, all the processing is done locally in your browser. Thats why it's fast and secure.

If you want to remove the metadata from your image you can use either our Image Compressor or our Image Converter and tick the 'Remove Metadata' checkbox to remove the Metadata from your Image.