CR2 File - opening and understanding
Did your computer fail to open a CR2 file? We explain what they are used for and recommend software that we know can open or otherwise handle your .CR2 files.
What is a CR2 file?
Files that contain the .cr2 file extension are Canon raw image files. These files are based on the TIFF image standard, but the images these files contain are raw images that have been taken by a Canon digital camera.
CR2 files are uncompressed files. The image within the CR2 file is the exact same image that was captured by the CCD detector inside of the Canon camera at the time the picture was taken.
Some CR2 files also contain text information about the picture as well as details about the conditions inside of the camera when the picture was being taken.
How to open CR2 files
You will need a program compatible with the specific file you are trying to open, as different programs may use files with file extension CR2 for different purposes.
While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested 10 different CR2 openers which you will find listed below.
Suggest another file format using extension CR2
While we know of one file format using the .CR2 file extension, there may be more. It is widespread that different programs use files with the same file extension for very different types of data. Please let us know if you are aware of a different kind of .CR2 file.
Various viewers for this file format
These apps are known to open certain types of CR2 files. Remember, different programs may use CR2 files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.
 | Free File Viewer | User submitted |
 | Pixillion Image Converter | User submitted |
 | Adobe Photoshop | User submitted |
 | Photo Gallery | User submitted |
 | Picasa Photo Viewer | User submitted |
 | IrfanView | User submitted |
 | PhotoPad Image Editor | User submitted |
 | Honeyview | User submitted |
 | Ashampoo Photo Commander | User submitted |
 | FastStone Image Viewer | User submitted |
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