What is a CR2 file Format, and how do you open it?

What are .CR2 files?

CR2 means Canon Raw 2 (2nd edition). The word ‘raw’ denotes a file format that stores detailed information about a photograph, resulting in larger, high-resolution, or high-quality images. It stores comprehensive raster file data that photographers can edit, compress, and convert into other formats. 

Users can identify a CR2 image file using the extension .CR2 at the end of the file name. The file format is founded on the TIFF file specifications and stores uncompressed, high-quality image data. It keeps the Canon digital camera sensor's lossless data without altering the image or file content.

Unlike JPG, which compresses image formats by deleting some details to ensure file size efficiency, the CR2 file type is unique as it preserves all data captured by the camera sensor to ensure more details are retained, resulting in a higher dynamic range. 

The file size explains CR2's functional size. It supports 14-bit RGB, which is relatively higher than JPEG, which merely supports 8 bits. This feature allows the CR2 file format to store and maintain image originality. Besides, its high-quality imagery makes CR2 sharp and attractive to viewers.

History of CR2 image files

A Canon Camera RAW 2 (CR2) file is among the RAW image files created by Canon Dital Cameras Inc. in 2004 but launched in 2005 to replace the Canon RAW (CRW) file format. The format stores the original non-processed lossless image data captured by the camera.

Canon developed the CR2 file format for its digital cameras to record high-quality images of up to 14 bits of RGB. The various color profiles CR2 files support produce high-resolution, excellent images with sufficient room for post-processing. 

Canon uses the CR2 image format in its 1D, 20D, and 350D camera models. This format produces RAW files with more metadata information, including white balance, bracketing information, camera details, lens information, and other settings. 

Canon cameras have used the CR2 file format since they invented the 1D Mark II, 20D, and 350D camera models. The format became popular, making RAW image formats often available. 

However, while CR2 made image editing and organization easier for digital image professionals, it was replaced by Canon RAW 3. Adopting CR3 ensures that images stored are exactly how the lens captured them, just as CR2 did. 

What are CR2 files used for?

The CR2 file format is used to store lossless deta from the camera sensor without image processing. Raw image files store a large quantity of data suitable for bringing in elements, including highlights and shadows, without making the images appear edited.

CR2 images are not typically used in digital design. The files can be too large for editing software to handle. However, many professional photographers store data using CR2 files to retain the quality of their images. 

Pros and cons of CR2 files

CR2 files are essential and remarkable for their stature in the digital camera industry. Nevertheless, as a RAW image file type, CR2 has various benefits and demerits for users to adopt and keep the file format for future uses. Below is a list of the pros and cons of having CR2 files:

Advantages of CR2 files

1. High-quality images: The CR2 raw image information from the Canon digital camera is non-processed, detailed, and uncompressed, ensuring high-quality or high-resolution videos and photos that make it practical and ideal for use.
2. Specific Software Support and Access: The CR2 file format belongs to Canon Company cameras, and as such, its files can only be easily managed and operated using camera-specific software packages offered in the market. This makes editing and software accessibility easier.
3. Easily Adjusted Color Spaces: The CR2 file format allows users to adjust the color space after the images are captured because the RAW file has little space saved or storage space available.
4. Captures Detailed Images: The CR2 image format displays each data point from the camera sensor, the same as storing a mirror image of the camera lens. As a result, CR2 detailed files are often encouraged and used at professional levels.
5. Flexible and Non-Destructive Editing: CR2 files support reversible edits, manipulations, or adjustments without degrading image quality.

Disadvantages of CR2 files

1. Complex Editing and Large File Sizes: The CR2 files are larger and very detailed, making editing extremely difficult. As such, users must convert CR2 files to other file formats or different file extensions to evade the complicated editing problem. 
2. Difficult Sharing or File Transmission: CR2 files can be complicated to share over low bandwidth networks or across different platforms because they are large, minimizing their popularity among users, including photographers or digital image professionals.
3. More Storage Demands: The CR2 file format can hold multiple files or images, making its files larger and necessitating more storage space to accommodate different metadata, data, and other device-related content.
4. Compatibility: CR2 files are not supported by all applications and software. Thus, users must have compatible software or programs to open CR2 files.
5. Longer Processing Time: CR2 files are very detailed, complex, and large, so they need more time to be edited or manipulated than other formats such as PNG or JPEG. 

How to Open CR2 Files

CR2 files can be opened using software, including Photoshop, iPhoto, Adobe Lightroom, AfterShot, Magix Xara Photo and Graphic Designer, IrfanView, and UFRaw. After downloading and installing the preferred CR2 file viewer or opener program, follow these steps to open your file.

Step 1: Turn on your CR2 file viewer software across your desktop. Then, click the "File" tab on the top and select the "Open" option in the drop-down menu.

Step 2: Locate your CR2 file in the browsing window and then click ‘Open file’ when you find it. Your file will open directly in the chosen program, such as Adobe Photoshop, without any changes.

Alternatively, you can open or view your CR2 files with a Google extension. First, type â€˜open CR2 with Google extension' in Google Chrome or click the three dots shown on Chrome, then choose Extensions, followed by Visit Chrome Web Store, and then search for some extensions here. 

Secondly, using your CR2 file Image Viewer or Editor, drag your CR2 file and give it time to upload before opening it.

How to Create and Edit CR2 Files

CR2 files are created directly by Canon cameras as they capture RAW image data. Users can adjust image dimensions, such as height, width, and color depth, before capturing the image. Once a CR2 file is saved, it cannot be directly edited. To edit a CR2 file, it must first be converted to an editable format like JPG or PNG using tools like Adobe Photoshop or CorelDRAW. These tools allow for editing while preserving much of the original quality, though they offer limited control over the final image resolution and details during the editing process.

How to convert CR2 files with Convertjack

Convertjack helps users such as professional photographers to convert their CR2 files to GIF, BMP, PNG, ICO, JPEG, EPS, and AVIF. 

Convertjack is among the most viable CR2 file converters. It allows users to upload multiple files and transform them into preferred file formats promptly. Users can use our website (Convertjack.com) to create different image file formats from CR2 or other common media, including document formats and video.

To convert your CR2 file, you do not need to memorize the various links or URLs. You only need to drag and drop your file to our converter or upload it and choose the preferred option. Click convert, and the file will be converted and ready for download. 

Note that Convertjack ensures that your CR2 conversion process is safe and that the final files preserve all details and are well-optimized. If you upload low-resolution or low-quality images, similar features or file details will be maintained in the resulting file or new format.