What is CR2?
Complete guide to the CR2 file format
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What is CR2?
CR2 (Canon RAW version 2) is Canon's proprietary RAW image format used in Canon DSLR cameras from roughly 2004 through the early 2020s. CR2 replaced the earlier CRW format and was itself succeeded by CR3 in 2018. A CR2 file stores the raw, unprocessed sensor data captured by a Canon camera, along with metadata including exposure settings, lens information, GPS data, and a small embedded JPEG preview.
Because CR2 files contain unprocessed sensor data, they give photographers maximum control in post-processing. You can adjust white balance, exposure, contrast, and color grading non-destructively after the shot is taken, with no permanent quality loss. CR2 files are typically 20 to 30 megabytes each, which is significantly larger than JPEG, but they preserve all the tonal and color information the sensor captured.
How CR2 Is Structured
CR2 is built on the TIFF container model and stores multiple image data records, including the full-resolution raw sensor mosaic plus smaller embedded JPEG previews used for fast review.[2] The raw sensor data is held as a single-channel Bayer pattern that must be demosaiced by software to produce a viewable color image.[3] The format is undocumented by Canon, so open-source support has relied on reverse engineering.[2]
Place in Canon's Lineage
The Library of Congress catalogs Canon RAW within its broader camera RAW format group, alongside the many other proprietary sensor formats that share the same long-term preservation concerns.[1] Like other RAW files, CR2 defers white balance, exposure, and color rendering to post-processing rather than committing them in-camera.[4]
Compatibility Considerations
Because CR2 is proprietary and tied to specific camera models, software must be updated to recognize each new sensor, and very old or very new cameras can be unsupported by a given application.[3] Converting to a documented container such as DNG is a common strategy for guarding against this obsolescence.[4]
Technical Details
CR2 vs Other Image Formats
| Feature | CR2 | DNG | JPG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Raster (Canon raw)[2] | Raster (raw) | Raster |
| Processing | Unprocessed[3] | Unprocessed | Processed |
| Container basis | TIFF-based[2] | TIFF-based | JFIF |
| Standardization | Canon proprietary[1] | Open (Adobe) | ISO/IEC |
| File size | Large | Large | Small |
| Best for | Canon photo editing | Archival raw | Sharing |
CR2 is Canon's proprietary raw format offering full editing latitude, while DNG provides an open raw alternative and JPG a compact processed output.
Pros and Cons
Advantages
Retains all raw data from the sensor, giving maximum flexibility in color and tonal adjustments.
All post-processing adjustments are stored as instructions, never altering the original pixel data.
White balance can be changed perfectly after the shot because the raw color temperature data is preserved.
More shadow and highlight detail can be recovered in post compared to an in-camera JPEG.
Disadvantages
Typically 20 to 30 MB per image, requiring substantial storage and fast memory cards.
Requires Canon software or compatible third-party applications - not universally supported.
RAW files must be processed before sharing, adding a post-production step to every shoot.
Canon cameras made after 2018 use the newer CR3 format, which is not fully compatible with older CR2 software.
When to Use CR2
Here are the most common situations where CR2 is the right choice:
Professional Photography
Use CR2 when shooting with a compatible Canon camera and you need full post-processing control.
Studio and Portrait Work
Ideal when precise color grading and skin tone adjustments are required in editing.
Challenging Lighting
The extended dynamic range of RAW files helps recover shadow and highlight detail in difficult exposure situations.
Archival Photography
Store original CR2 files as archival masters and export JPEG or TIFF copies for distribution.
Convert CR2 Files
Need to convert your CR2 files? Use our free online converter.
Try Image Converter FreeFrequently Asked Questions about CR2
What software can open CR2 files?
CR2 files can be opened in Canon Digital Photo Professional, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop (with Camera Raw), Capture One, Darktable, and RawTherapee.
What is the difference between CR2 and CR3?
CR3 is Canon's newer RAW format introduced in 2018, using a more efficient HEVC-based compression. CR3 files are smaller at the same quality. Older software may not support CR3.
Can I convert CR2 to JPEG?
Yes. You can convert CR2 to JPEG using our free converter, Canon Digital Photo Professional, Adobe Lightroom, or any RAW-capable image editor.
Why is my CR2 file so large?
CR2 files store uncompressed sensor data at 14 bits per channel, which creates files of 20 to 30 MB each. This large size is the cost of preserving maximum image quality.
Is CR2 the same as RAW?
CR2 is one specific RAW format used by Canon. Other manufacturers have their own RAW formats: NEF (Nikon), ARW (Sony), RAF (Fujifilm), and DNG (Adobe's universal RAW format).