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Inspiring
July 21, 2025
Question

raw opening as jpeg

  • July 21, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 2401 views

i shoot raw + jpeg and my camera (a7iv) saves them as 2 seperate files 1 .jpg and 1 .arw file, whenever i open a .arw file in photoshop it opens as the jpg version, like it still says its the raw file but it looks like the jpeg for some reason. I just reinstalled photoshop because i had some weird issues with it but my preferances are set back to default and ive tried to switch a bunch of them to solve the problem and nothing is working. ive checked all my camera settings and i havent found any problems. the "creative look" which is the picture profile on my camera is set to standard. ive included pictures of all my camera raw settings and what opens compared to the jpg and arw.  here is all the metadata on my picture. same thing is happening to all of my pictures, im not sure if its a camera issue or if its a photoshop/camera raw issue.

 
checksum: 0d7949273d921ba01572d757cefaff7c, file_name: DSC00016.ARW, file_size: 43 MB, file_type: ARW, file_type_extension: arw, mime_type: image/x-sony-arw, exif_byte_order: Little-endian (Intel, II), image_description: , make: SONY, model: ILCE-7M4, orientation: Rotate 270 CW, software: ILCE-7M4 v5.01, modify_date: 2025:07:19 15:59:28, image_width: 7168, image_height: 5120, compression: JPEG, photometric_interpretation: Color Filter Array, samples_per_pixel: 1, planar_configuration: Chunky, x_resolution: 350, y_resolution: 350, resolution_unit: inches, cfa_repeat_pattern_dim: 2 2, cfa_pattern2: 0 1 1 2, sony_raw_file_type: Sony Lossless Compressed RAW 2, sony_tone_curve: 0 0 0 0, strip_offsets: 4214784, rows_per_strip: 5120, strip_byte_counts: 38676672, chromatic_aberration_correction: Auto, distortion_correction: Off, default_crop_origin: 12 8, default_crop_size: 7008 4672, sony_crop_top_left: 12 8, sony_crop_size: 7008 4672, bits_per_sample: 14, sony_raw_image_size: 7032 4688, tile_width: 512, tile_length: 512, tile_offsets: (Binary data 1238 bytes), tile_byte_counts: (Binary data 979 bytes), preview_image_start: 196770, preview_image_length: 432959, y_cb_cr_positioning: Co-sited, f_number: 5.6, exposure_program: Aperture-priority AE, iso: 125, sensitivity_type: Recommended Exposure Index, recommended_exposure_index: 125, exif_version: 232, date_time_original: 2025:07:19 15:59:28, create_date: 2025:07:19 15:59:28, offset_time: -04:00, offset_time_original: -04:00, offset_time_digitized: -04:00, components_configuration: Y, Cb, Cr, -, compressed_bits_per_pixel: 9, brightness_value: 5.92734375, exposure_compensation: 0, max_aperture_value: 2.8, metering_mode: Multi-segment, light_source: Unknown, flash: Off, Did not fire, rating: 0, brightness: 0, long_exposure_noise_reduction: On (unused), high_iso_noise_reduction: Off, hdr: Off; Uncorrected image, wb_shift_ab__gm: 0 0, wb_shift_ab__gm__precise: 0.00 0.00, color_temperature: Auto, color_compensation_filter: 0, scene_mode: Standard, zone_matching: ISO Setting Used, dynamic_range_optimizer: Auto, image_stabilization: On, color_mode: Standard, full_image_size: 7008x4672, preview_image_size: 1616x1080, file_format: ARW 5.0.1, flash_exposure_comp: 0, white_balance_fine_tune: 0, white_balance: Auto, sony_model_id: ILCE-7M4, multi_frame_noise_reduction: Off, picture_effect: Off, soft_skin_effect: Off, vignetting_correction: Auto, lateral_chromatic_aberration: Auto, distortion_correction_setting: Off, lens_type: E-Mount, T-Mount, Other Lens or no lens, lens_spec: E 24-70mm F2.8, auto_portrait_framed: No, flash_action: Did not fire, electronic_front_curtain_shutter: On, focus_mode: AF-A, af_area_mode_setting: Wide, flexible_spot_position: 0 0, af_point_selected: n/a, af_points_used: (none), af_tracking: Lock On AF, focal_plane_af_points_used: 0, multi_frame_nr_effect: Normal, focus_location: 7008 4672 3416 2326, variable_low_pass_filter: n/a, priority_set_in_awb: Standard, metering_mode2: Multi-segment, exposure_standard_adjustment: 0, raw_file_type: Lossless Compressed RAW, quality: RAW + Extra Fine, pixel_shift_info: n/a, shadows: 0, highlights: 0, fade: 0, sharpness_range: 3, clarity: 1, focus_frame_size: 350x351, jpeg-_heif_switch: JPEG, hidden_data_offset: 143360, hidden_data_length: 53248, flash_level: Normal, release_mode: Normal, sequence_number: Single, anti-_blur: On (Shooting), intelligent_auto: Off, sequence_file_number: 1, sequence_length: 1 file, camera_orientation: Rotate 270 CW, quality2: RAW + JPEG, iso_setting: Unknown (255), iso_auto_min: Auto, iso_auto_max: Auto, ambient_temperature: 30 C, af_area_mode: Tracking, focus_position2: 221, tag9416_0000: 3, sony_iso: 116, stops_above_base_iso: 0.2, sony_exposure_time2: 1/64, exposure_time: 1/60, sony_f_number2: 5.6, sony_max_aperture_value: 2.9, sequence_image_number: 1, creative_style: Standard, lens_format: Full-frame, lens_mount: E-mount, lens_type2: Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II | A, picture_profile: Gamma Still - Standard/Neutral (PP2), focal_length: 50.8 mm, min_focal_length: 24.0 mm, max_focal_length: 70.0 mm, aps-_c_size_capture: Off, battery_temperature: 38.9 C, battery_level: 102%, lens_mount2: E-mount, lens_type3: Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II | A, camera_e-mount_version: 1.8, lens_e-mount_version: 1.9, lens_firmware_version: Ver.02.000

2 replies

Inspiring
July 21, 2025

@Aleke hey, im using the latest version of everything so photoshop 26.8.1 and i have adobe color selected, i have tried adaptive and it just look a little brighter but doesnt fix the issue.

Community Manager
July 21, 2025

Hi @cole gaming a37551120moyj

Would you be able to send us a few sample RAW files so we can take a closer look? You can share them via a public link using Dropbox, Google Drive, WeTransfer, or whichever file-sharing service works best for you.

Thanks so much!
Alek

*(If you mention me with an @, like @Aleke, I’ll get a notification and can respond faster.)*
Per Berntsen
Community Expert
Community Expert
July 23, 2025

sorry heres the full acr window with the image, i see what you see but above is the actual raw image that i should be seeing opened in the built in photo viewer on windows. the arw and jpg are not actually very similar just they look like that in acr because it is some reason showing the jpg preview instead of .arw


  • ACR is not displaying a jpg preview, it displays its own rendering of the raw file.
  • The Windows Photos app cannot render raw files, so it displays the embedded jpg preview, which for some unknown reason is much darker than the raw file and the jpg you shot at the same time.
  • The ARW and the jpg (not the embedded jpg preview) are very similar, as seen in my screenshot from Lightroom Classic.

 

As far as I can tell, there is only one issue here – the embedded jpg preview is too dark.

I have no experience with Sony cameras, but this  has to be caused by a setting in the camera, or possibly a bug in the camera firmware. ACR is not at fault here.

Community Manager
July 21, 2025

Hi @cole gaming a37551120moyj , thanks for reaching out!

Could you let us know which version of Photoshop you're using? Also when you open the RAW file which profile do you have selected, like Adobe Color, Adaptive Color, or something else?

Thanks a bunch!
Alek

*(If you mention me with an @, like @Aleke, I’ll get a notification and can respond faster.)*