CR2 (Canon RAW)
Also known as: Canon RAW, CR2 file, how to open CR2, .cr2
CR2 is Canon’s older RAW image format, holding the unprocessed sensor data from many Canon DSLR and mirrorless cameras. Files are large (often 20–40 MB each) and need Canon’s software, Lightroom/Adobe Camera Raw, or conversion to DNG or JPEG to edit and share.
- Canon’s older RAW format, replaced by CR3
- Large unprocessed sensor files, often 20–40 MB
- Opens in DPP, Lightroom, or Camera Raw; convert to DNG/JPEG to share
What a CR2 file is
CR2 (Canon Raw version 2) is a proprietary RAW format Canon used on most DSLR and mirrorless bodies from the mid-2000s until it was replaced by CR3. Instead of a finished JPEG, a CR2 stores the raw light readings straight off the sensor, plus an embedded JPEG preview and EXIF metadata.
Because nothing is baked in, a CR2 keeps maximum detail for editing white balance, exposure, and color later — but it is much larger than a JPEG of the same shot, which is why a card of RAW photos fills storage quickly.
How to open and convert CR2
CR2 opens in Canon’s Digital Photo Professional (DPP), Adobe Lightroom and Camera Raw, Apple Photos/Preview on recent macOS, and most serious photo editors. Older or non-Adobe apps may not recognize it.
To share or save space, export the CR2 to JPEG for everyday use, or convert it to DNG (Adobe’s open RAW container) to keep RAW flexibility in a more universal file. Keep the original RAW only if you still plan to re-edit it.