How to view a .CR2 file online
No app, no account, no upload.
Open your .CR2
Drag a .CR2 file straight from your memory card onto the viewer, or choose it from your device. It's read right here, so even a 60 MB original opens without uploading.
View the photo and settings
We show the largest preview the camera saved, with shutter speed, aperture, ISO, lens, date, location and a histogram.
Save a JPG
Export the preview as JPG, PNG or WEBP to share it right away. Rotation from the camera is applied.
What is a .CR2 file?
Everything worth knowing about Canon RAW 2 (Canon digital camera raw image, version 2).
A CR2 file is a raw image from a Canon DSLR, the unprocessed sensor data, similar to a digital negative. On Windows, install the free Raw Image Extension (Microsoft Store) to see thumbnails; then use Canon's free Digital Photo Professional or darktable to edit. To share, convert to JPG; to archive, convert to DNG.
Programs that open .CR2 files
- Windows
- darktable, RawTherapee, Adobe Lightroom / Photoshop (Camera Raw), Canon Digital Photo Professional (DPP), IrfanView (+ RAW plugin), Raw Image Extension (Microsoft Store)
- macOS
- darktable, Apple Photos / Preview, Canon Digital Photo Professional (DPP)
- Linux
- darktable, RawTherapee, GIMP (+ darktable/RawTherapee plugin)
| Full name | Canon RAW 2 (Canon digital camera raw image, version 2) |
|---|---|
| Developer | Canon |
| First released | 2004 (Canon EOS 20D); used through ~2018 (e.g. EOS 5D Mark IV) |
| Category | Images |
| MIME type | image/x-canon-cr2 |
| Signature | 49 49 2A 00 ("II*\0" - little-endian TIFF header, with "CR" at offset 8) |
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Frequently asked questions
Is my .CR2 file uploaded?
No. The viewer reads your .CR2 file. RAW files are big and personal, so they never leave your device.
Is this the real RAW image?
It's the full-size JPEG preview the camera stored inside the RAW file, which is what the camera displays. It has the camera's own colors and white balance. Developing the raw sensor data with your own settings is coming soon.
Why is the preview small for my camera?
Some older cameras (and Sigma, Kodak and Minolta models) only embed a small thumbnail. The panel tells you the preview size and how it compares to the sensor.
Where does the location come from?
From the GPS data your camera or phone saved in the file. If you share the photo, remember this data travels with the original RAW.
Can I convert RAW to JPG here?
Yes: open the file and use Save as JPG. You'll get the camera's preview in full quality. For edited exports with your own exposure and color, use a RAW editor until our developer arrives.
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