How to Recover Deleted Photos from Sony Camera Easily
Accidentally deleted photos from your Sony camera? Don’t worry, here in this post, we’ll guide you through how to easily recover deleted photos from Sony camera in 3 free tools.
Can I recover deleted photos from my Sony camera?
“I own a Sony Cybershot camera. I accidentally deleted a photo that I was very pleased with while reviewing the photos I had just taken. My camera does not have an undo button. Can I recover deleted photos from my Sony Cybershot camera?” - Question from Reddit
Yes! You can recover deleted photos from a Sony camera or other cameras, like Nikon camera. This is possible because when you delete a photo from a camera's SD card, the photos will not instantly be erased. The files remain on the SD card but are marked as ready to be overwritten. So they won’t be permanently deleted until new photos come and overwrite them.
Immediate action to maximize photo recovery rates
As mentioned earlier, recovering deleted photos is possible, but the success rate depends on the immediate action you take.
- Stop using the Sony camera as soon as you accidentally delete your photos. This includes taking new photos or formatting the SD card, which may cause data overwriting.
- Remove the SD card from your camera and store it somewhere safe until you are ready to begin the data recovery process.
- Identify the possible cause of data loss on a Sony camera. The common reasons are accidental deletion, formatting, power failure, virus infection, etc.
- Pick a reliable data recovery tool. You can use Sony's Memory Card File Rescue, Microsoft's Windows File Recovery, or third-party software - AOMEI FastRecovery.
3 Free Tools to recover deleted photos from Sony camera
We'll go over 3 free tools on how to recover deleted pictures from Sony camera in this part.
Option 1. Retrieve photos from Sony camera via AOMEI FastRecovery [Fast & Powerful]
The first option is to recover photos from a Sony camera SD card using the best Sony digital camera recovery software - AOMEI FastRecovery. With an intuitive interface and simple operation, you can recover deleted photos in just three steps, with a high success rate.

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Intuitive and easy-to-use interface, without technical skill required.
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Scene matching scan algorithm - Quick Scan for deleted files (e.g., photos) while Deep Scan for complex scenarios, such as formatted drive, virus attack, etc.
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Search, filter, and preview files while scanning, especially useful for recovering specific files or folders.
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Recover deleted documents (e.g., recover Word files), images, audios, videos, compressed files, emails, etc., over 1000 data formats.
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Supports different Sony cameras, such as FX2, Cybershot, Alpha, RX100, ZV-E10, etc., and memory cards.
Download, install, and launch AOMEI FastRecovery on your computer (not SD card) and connect your camera's SD card to a computer with a card reader.
Step 1. On the Hard Drive Recovery section, hover the mouse over the drive, and click Scan to get started.
Step 2. The scanning process will start Quick Scan automatically to find files quickly. This process takes only 3-5 seconds. Optionally, you can use the Search or Filter feature to locate the desired data and recover immediately.
Step 3. If you are not sure, select deleted photos and click the Preview option to check it. At last, click the Recover button to save the restored photos. Please choose a new location to save your recovered photos.
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Restoring deleted photos to the original camera card will cause data overwriting.
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If you can't find deleted photos, click the Deep Scan button at the lower left corner.
Option 2: Recover photos from Sony's Memory Card File Rescue Software
Memory Card File Rescue is a data recovery software, released by Sony, and designed to recover deleted photos and videos on some Sony memory cards, such as CFexpress Type A Memory Card, CFexpress Type B Memory Card, XQD Memory Card, SD Memory Card, Memory Stick, etc.
Photo |
JPEG, RAW photo (Sony ARW, Nikon NEF, Canon CR2 & CR3, 3D photo (MPO) |
Video |
MPEG-1 (mpg, mpeg), MPEG-4 (mp4), MPEG-4 AVC (mp4, XAVC S, AVCHD, MOV, MXF), and so on |
Other |
Documents |
Step 1. Download Memory Card File Rescue and install it on your computer. Please enter the model name and necessary information to download the software.
Step 2. After installing, open this software. On the Introduction window, click Next to continue with recovery. You will be asked to select the drive containing memory media. Select the SD card and click Next.
Step 3. Check the drive information and click the Run button to proceed.
Step 4. It will start the recovery process automatically. Just wait patiently.
Step 5. Check the files you want to recover and click Next. Please select a new location to save them if you don't want to lose any data.
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Files saved on a memory medium formatted by a PC or camera may not be recoverable.
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Game data and content-protected music and movies are not supported.
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This software is only verified to operate with Sony memory media currently on the market.
Option 3. Recover photos from Sony camera with Windows File Recovery (for Technicians)
Another option for you is to recover deleted photos from SD card using CMD. Specifically, Windows File Recovery will be used. Because this method involves command lines, it is a little more technically demanding. Besides, its recovery rate still remains to be proven. Aside from these, please note that this tool only works with Windows 10 versions 2004 and up.
Preparation work before using Windows File Recovery:
To use this tool, check out your File System first. Go to This PC > right-click on the external drive that contains the deleted files > click Properties.
In addition, you need to use recovery mode and switches to get back your files. To decide which mode to use, refer to this table.
File system | Scenarios | Mode |
NTFS | Deleted recently | Regular |
NTFS | Deleted for a while | Extensive |
NTFS | Formatted disk | Extensive |
NTFS | Corrupted disk | Extensive |
FAT and exFAT | Any | Extensive |
Switches are used to filter the scanning range, thus can save the scanning time.
Switches | Meaning | Supported mode(s) |
/n | Filter the scan range: scans for a specific file with its file name/path/type, etc. | All |
/y: | Recover specific extension groups. | Signature |
/k | Recovers system files. | NTFSSegment |
/u | Recovers undeleted files, for example, from the Recycle Bin. | NTFSSegment |
Step 1. Download and install Window File Recovery on your computer from Microsoft Store and then open it.
Step 2. Open Powershell or Command Prompt (run as administrator). In the Command Prompt, enter commands in the following command format:
winfr source-drive: destination-drive: [/mode] [/switches]
For example, if you need to recover deleted photos from F: drive (the SD card) to D: drive, then the command will be like:
winfr F: D: /regular /n *.jpg
Conclusion
This post primarily introduces 3 free tools on how to recover deleted photos from Sony camera. You can use AOMEI FastRecovery, Memory Card File Rescue, or Windows File Recovery to perform Sony camera recovery. We hope both of them can assist you in recovering your deleted photos.
Before finishing, here are some pointers to help you never lose your photos on your Sony camera again:
- Maintain a regular backup of your Sony camera photos. To ensure that your data is never lost, use smart backup solutions such as AOMEI Backupper.
- Always handle your Sony camera and SD card with care during the transfer process.
- In the event of data loss, remember to choose the best data recovery software to save time and energy.