A CR2 file is a raw image format used by Canon digital cameras

CR2 stands for Canon Raw 2, and it is the file format that Canon cameras save when you shoot in raw mode instead of JPEG. Raw files contain all the unprocessed data the camera's sensor captured, which gives you much more control when editing the photo later. If you have taken photos with a Canon camera and see files ending in .cr2, those are raw images.

Raw files are larger than JPEGs and require specific software to open and edit. Your camera did not process the image at all — no color correction, no sharpening, nothing. This means you have to do that work yourself, but you also have complete control over how the final photo looks.

Key Takeaways

  • CR2 files are raw images from Canon cameras and cannot be opened in standard photo viewers like Windows Photos or Preview.
  • You can open CR2 files in Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, Canon's free DPP software, or other raw editing programs.
  • Converting a CR2 file to JPEG or PNG makes it viewable in any standard photo viewer and reduces file size significantly.
  • CR2 files contain all the original sensor data, so editing them does not damage the original image the way editing a JPEG does.

How to open a CR2 file on Windows

Windows does not open CR2 files by default, so you need software designed for raw images. The easiest free option is Canon's Digital Photo Professional (DPP), which you can download from Canon's website. Search for "Canon DPP download" and choose the version for your Windows system. Install it, then right-click any CR2 file, select "Open with", and choose Canon DPP from the list.

If you already use Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop, both open CR2 files directly. Simply go to File > Open and select your CR2 file. Other free options include RawTherapee and Darktable, both of which are open-source raw editors. Download either one, install it, and they will appear in your "Open with" menu.

How to open a CR2 file on Mac

Mac's built-in Preview app does not open CR2 files, but Canon's DPP software works on Mac as well. Download it from Canon's website, install it, and double-click any CR2 file to open it. You can also drag CR2 files directly into DPP's window.

Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop both work on Mac and open CR2 files the same way as Windows. If you prefer free software, RawTherapee and Darktable are available for Mac too. Alternatively, you can open CR2 files in Apple's Photos app if you first convert them to JPEG or HEIF format using one of the raw editors above.

Converting CR2 files to JPEG or PNG

Converting a CR2 file to JPEG or PNG makes it viewable in any photo viewer and reduces the file size by 80 to 90 percent. Open the CR2 file in any raw editor — Canon DPP, Lightroom, Photoshop, RawTherapee, or Darktable all work. Make any edits you want, then go to File > Export As (or Export). Choose JPEG or PNG as the format, pick where to save it, and click Export.

In Canon DPP, the menu says "File > Convert and Save". In Lightroom, it is "File > Export". The exact wording changes between programs, but the concept is the same: open the raw file, edit if you want, then save it as a standard image format. Once you have a JPEG or PNG version, you can open it in Windows Photos, Mac Preview, or any other standard viewer.

Why your camera creates CR2 files

Canon cameras shoot in raw mode when you change the camera's settings from JPEG to RAW. Raw mode gives photographers complete control over exposure, white balance, and color in post-processing. A JPEG is already processed by the camera — the camera decided the colors, brightness, and sharpness for you. With a raw file, you make those decisions later using editing software.

The trade-off is that raw files are much larger. A single CR2 file can be 30 to 50 megabytes, while a JPEG from the same shot might be 5 to 10 megabytes. Your camera's memory card fills up faster, and you need more storage space on your computer. Most photographers who shoot raw do so because they plan to edit the images and want maximum control over the final result.

Viewing CR2 files without editing software

If you do not want to install raw editing software, you can convert your CR2 files to JPEG using online converters. Search for "CR2 to JPEG converter" and you will find several websites that let you upload a CR2 file and download a JPEG version. This works, but uploading large raw files to the internet takes time and raises privacy concerns if the images are personal or sensitive.

A better approach is to install one free raw editor once — Canon DPP takes only a few minutes — and use it to convert all your CR2 files to JPEG at once. Most raw editors let you batch-convert multiple files, which is much faster than converting them one at a time online. After conversion, you can delete the CR2 files if you want to save storage space, though many photographers keep both versions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a CR2 file in Photoshop Elements?

No, Photoshop Elements does not support raw files. You need the full version of Adobe Photoshop. However, you can convert the CR2 to JPEG using Canon DPP or another free raw editor, then open the JPEG in Elements.

Why is my CR2 file so large?

Raw files contain all the unprocessed data from the camera's sensor, so they are much larger than JPEGs. A CR2 file is typically 30 to 50 megabytes depending on your camera model and resolution. JPEGs are compressed, which is why they are smaller.

Do I need to keep both the CR2 and JPEG versions?

No, you can delete either one. Many photographers keep the CR2 files because they contain more information and allow for better editing later. If storage space is tight, converting to JPEG and deleting the CR2 is fine, especially if you have already edited the image.

Can I open CR2 files on my phone?

Most phone photo apps do not support CR2 files. You can convert the CR2 to JPEG on your computer first, then transfer the JPEG to your phone. Some specialized photography apps for iOS and Android do support raw files, but they are less common.

What if I have CR2 files from an older Canon camera?

Older Canon raw files use the same CR2 format, so any modern raw editor will open them. Canon DPP, Lightroom, and Photoshop all support CR2 files from any Canon camera model, regardless of age.