CR2

CR2, short for Canon RAW Image File 2, is a proprietary raw image format used by Canon digital cameras to store unprocessed sensor data. It preserves the full fidelity of a photograph, along with metadata, enabling extensive post-processing with greater latitude than JPEGs. CR2 is commonly associated with Canon EOS models from the mid-2000s through the 2010s, and remains encountered in older gear as newer RAW formats have emerged.

Technical details: CR2 uses a TIFF-based container and typically stores 14-bit pixel data, with support for optional lossless compression in some cameras. It includes metadata such as EXIF, MakerNotes, and color-space information, and often embeds a JPEG thumbnail for quick viewing. Canon has not publicly published the full specification, so decoding and interpretation are typically provided by third-party libraries and software that implement RAW support, such as LibRaw and ExifTool, allowing many image editors to read CR2 files.

History and compatibility: CR2 was introduced in the mid-2000s as the successor to Canon’s earlier CRW format, becoming standard in many Canon DSLRs and early mirrorless models before Canon began transitioning to newer RAW formats in later cameras. Software support varies by version and platform, but major photo editing suites like Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, as well as other commercial and open-source tools, provide CR2 support. Users can often convert CR2 to more universal formats (e.g., TIFF or DNG) during workflow, aiding long-term accessibility and archival practices.