What is CR2?

CR2 (Canon RAW 2) files contain minimally processed data straight from the camera's image sensor. Unlike JPEG, which applies in-camera processing, CR2 files preserve all the original sensor information including full dynamic range, color depth, and metadata. This gives photographers maximum flexibility in post-processing.

CR2 files are based on the TIFF specification and include embedded JPEG previews for quick viewing. They're significantly larger than JPEGs (20-30 MB typical) but provide 12-bit or 14-bit color depth compared to JPEG's 8-bit. Professional photographers prefer CR2 for critical work requiring precise color grading and exposure adjustment.

Did you know? CR2 files can recover up to 2 stops of overexposure or 4 stops of underexposure!

History

Canon introduced the CR2 format as the successor to CRW (Canon RAW) to support their newer DIGIC image processors and provide better compatibility with professional workflows.

Key Milestones

  • 1995: Canon CRW format introduced
  • 2004: CR2 replaces CRW in EOS 20D
  • 2007: 14-bit CR2 support added
  • 2012: Dual Pixel RAW capability
  • 2018: CR3 format introduced for newer models
  • Present: CR2 still widely used by millions

Key Features

Core Capabilities

  • Unprocessed Data: Direct sensor output
  • High Bit Depth: 12-bit or 14-bit color
  • Full Metadata: Exif, camera settings, lens info
  • Embedded Preview: JPEG thumbnail included
  • White Balance: Adjustable after capture
  • Wide Dynamic Range: Maximum shadow/highlight detail

Common Use Cases

Professional Photography

Wedding, portrait, commercial

Landscape

Maximum dynamic range

Post-Processing

Precise editing control

Archival

Long-term photo preservation

Advantages

  • Maximum image quality and detail
  • Full editing flexibility
  • Non-destructive adjustments
  • Wide dynamic range
  • Professional industry standard
  • Recover exposure mistakes
  • Adjustable white balance

Disadvantages

  • Very large file sizes (20-30 MB each)
  • Requires specialized software
  • Slower camera buffer/write speeds
  • Must be processed before sharing
  • Proprietary Canon format
  • Not web-ready

Technical Information

Format Specifications

Specification Details
File Extension .cr2
MIME Type image/x-canon-cr2
Format Type RAW image
Compression Lossless JPEG
Color Depth 12-bit or 14-bit
Based On TIFF 6.0
Typical Size 20-30 MB per file

Common Tools

  • Canon: Digital Photo Professional (DPP)
  • Adobe: Lightroom, Photoshop, Camera Raw
  • Free: RawTherapee, Darktable, GIMP
  • Converters: dcraw, UFRaw, LibRaw