How to transfer photos and videos from the camera to a Mac computer

Before you start

• Multiple options are available to transfer photos and videos from a camera to Macintosh®, MacBook®, MacBook Pro®, and other Apple® computer models.
• Depending on your Apple computer model, these options may be available for image transfer:
  • iCloud Photos application 
  • Import directly to the Mac computer.
  • Import photos from storage devices and DVDs using Photos on Apple computers

Identify type of USB cable

Most cameras use a USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable. Some models (like the ILCE-7M4 or ILCE-7RM5) may use USB Type-C to USB Type-C. Look at the port on your camera. Most recent models use a USB Type-C port, but older models might use a Micro-USB port. If you’re unsure, check your camera’s manual or look at the port on the camera itself. 

• What to do:

  • Connect the USB Type-C end to your camera.

  • Connect the USB Type-A end to your Mac (if your Mac has USB-A ports).

  • If your Mac only has USB-C/Thunderbolt ports, you’ll need a USB-C to USB-A adapter or a USB-C to USB-C cable (if your camera supports it).

Transfer images or movies with a USB cable

Follow these steps to copy photos from a camera to an Apple computer with a direct USB connection:

1. Connect the camera directly to the USB port of the computer.
   Note: Some Apple computers may require adapters to connect to the USB cable from the camera. Refer to the Identify the ports on your Mac article.

2. Turn on the camera. If an image capture program or app automatically starts, close it.
3. Copy the photos from the camera:

   1. Open Finder or select Go on the Finder bar.
   2. Select Computer.
   3. Select the NO NAME or UNTITLED icon in the Computer window or on the desktop.
   4. Select the photos you want to copy.
      1. Click on the DCIM folder.
         

         The file contents of each folder

         • The DCIM folder (if available) contains still picture files.
         • The MP_ROOT folder (if available) contains standard-definition video files.
         • The AVCHD folder (if available) contains high-definition video files.

      2. Click the 100MSDCF folder
      3. Press and hold the SHIFT key.
      4. While holding the SHIFT key, click to select the pictures you want to transfer.
   5. After selecting the photos, release the SHIFT key.
   6. Press Command+C to copy the files.

4. Paste the photos to a folder of your choice on the computer.
   1. Select the folder where you want to store the copied photos.
   2. Press Command+V to paste the file into the Pictures folder.

Photos in RAW format need to be processed with Imaging Edge Desktop software before being used in most photo software applications.