.CR2 (Canon Raw Image File) - File Extension

What is a CR2 file?

CR2 is a file format used by Canon digital cameras to store raw image data. Raw image files contain unprocessed, uncompressed data from the camera’s image sensor, allowing for more flexibility and control when editing the image. CR2 files can be opened and edited using image editing software that supports the format, such as Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Lightroom.

A CR2 file stores raw, uncompressed image data exactly as it was captured by the camera’s image sensor. This means that the data in a CR2 file has not been processed or modified in any way and contains all of the information captured by the sensor at the time the photo was taken.

Raw image files are often preferred by photographers because they allow for more control when editing the image. Since the data in a raw file has not been processed or compressed, it is possible to make a wider range of adjustments to the image without losing quality.

This is in contrast to JPEG files, which are a compressed image format that can result in some loss of image quality when the image is edited or processed.

How to open a CR2 file

There are a few different ways you can open a CR2 file:

1) Use image editing software that supports the CR2 format, such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, or Canon Digital Photo Professional. These programs allow you to view, edit, and convert CR2 files to other image formats.

2) Use a raw image viewer, such as IrfanView or FastStone Image Viewer. These programs allow you to view CR2 files but may not offer as many editing features as full-featured image editing software.

3) Convert the CR2 file to a different image format using a file conversion tool. There are many online tools and software programs that can convert CR2 files to other formats, such as JPEG or TIFF.

4) Install a plugin or add-on for your web browser that allows you to view CR2 files directly in the browser. Some options include the Canon RAW Codec for Windows or the CR2 Viewer for Firefox.

To open a CR2 file, you may need to have the right software or plugins installed on your computer.

More information

The CR2 file format was introduced by Canon in 2004 as a replacement for the CRW (Canon Raw) file format used by earlier Canon cameras. The CR2 format was designed to be more efficient and offer higher image quality than the CRW format.

CR2 files are used to store raw, uncompressed image data captured by a camera’s image sensor, along with metadata about the photo, including the camera’s make and model, the date and time the photo was taken, and other camera settings. These files contain the unprocessed, raw data from the camera’s sensor, allowing for more flexibility and control when editing the image.