CRW File

What are CRW files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a CRW file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your CRW files.

What is a CRW file?

A .CRW file is a Canon RAW Format file.

Canon RAW Format is a proprietary image format used by Canon digital cameras to store raw image data. It is similar to other raw image formats like .nef (Nikon), .arw (Sony), and .dng (Adobe).

Raw image formats store unprocessed data captured by the camera's image sensor. This allows photographers to have greater control over the final image by allowing them to adjust the white balance, exposure, and other settings in post-processing software like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom.

Advantages of using the Canon RAW Format

• Raw image formats capture all the data from the camera's image sensor, resulting in significantly better picture quality than JPEG or other compressed formats.
• Non-destructive editing allows photographers to make changes to their images without altering the original image data, as all modifications are stored in its own file. This makes it possible to go back and make adjustments at any point, preserving the raw data of the original file.
• Photographers have more control of the final image when working with raw image formats compared to JPEG or other compressed formats, as these allow adjustments of white balance, exposing and color in post-processing.

Disadvantages of using the Canon RAW Format

• Storing raw image files, which are usually larger than compressed formats like JPEG, can be a challenge if disk space is a limitation.
• If you're using an outdated post-processing program, it may not be compatible with raw image files, which could cause issues.
• Some devices don't support raw image files that may be an issue if you need to quickly share or put images online as a smartphone or tablet could not open or change them.

How to open CRW files

We have identified five CRW openers that are compatible with this specific type of CRW file.

Programs that open Canon RAW Format files

Last updated: January 22, 2025

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of CRW files. Remember, different programs may use CRW files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.

Help us help others

File.org helps thousands of users every day, and we would love to hear from you if you have additional information about CRW file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.