File extension CR2
| File type | Canon Digital Camera RAW Image Format Version 2.0 |
| Developer | Canon |
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What is a CR2 file?
The .CR2 file format belongs to Cannon’s Raw Image files. These are the default file format which are produced when photographs are taken with Cannon’s Digital cameras. This is a proprietary file format.
The major drawback of using this file format in your storage is the inability for compression. As the name suggests, these files are RAW and store the image data in a digital format on a “as-is” basis with no compression at all. This file type allows for a lot of improvement and enhancing using photo editing software and later those processed results can be stored as JPEG format.
Program(s) that can open the .CR2 file
Windows
How to open CR2 files
If you cannot open the CR2 file on your computer - there may be several reasons. The first and most important reason (the most common) is the lack of a suitable software that supports CR2 among those that are installed on your device.
A very simple way to solve this problem is to find and download the appropriate application. The first part of the task has already been done – the software supporting the CR2 file can be found in the table. Now just download and install the appropriate application.
Possible problems with the CR2 format files
The inability to open and operate the CR2 file does not necessarily mean that you do not have an appropriate software installed on your computer. There may be other problems that also block our ability to operate the Canon Digital Camera RAW Image Format Version 2.0 file. Below is a list of possible problems.
- Corruption of a CR2 file which is being opened
- Incorrect links to the CR2 file in registry entries.
- Accidental deletion of the description of the CR2 from the Windows registry
- Incomplete installation of an application that supports the CR2 format
- The CR2 file which is being opened is infected with an undesirable malware.
- The computer does not have enough hardware resources to cope with the opening of the CR2 file.
- Drivers of equipment used by the computer to open a CR2 file are out of date.
If you are sure that all of these reasons do not exist in your case (or have already been eliminated), the CR2 file should operate with your programs without any problem. If the problem with the CR2 file has not been solved, it may be due to the fact that in this case there is also another rare problem with the CR2 file. In this case, the only you can do is to ask for assistance of a professional staff.
Similar extensions
| .arw | Sony Digital Camera RAW Image Format |
| .bay | Kodak/Roper Bayer Picture Sequence Format |
| .cr2 | Canon Digital Camera RAW Image Format Version 2.0 |
| .crw | Canon Digital Camera RAW Image Format |
| .dcr | Kodak Digital Camera Raw Image Format |
| .dng | Adobe Digital Negative Format |
| .eip | Enhanced Image Package Format |
| .fff | Gravis Ultrasound PnP Bank Format |
How to associate the file with an installed software?
If you want to associate a file with a new program (e.g. my-file.CR2) you have two ways to do it. The first and the easiest one is to right-click on the selected CR2 file. From the drop-down menu select "Choose default program", then click "Browse" and find the desired program. The whole operation must be confirmed by clicking OK. The second and more difficult to do is associate the CR2 file extension to the corresponding software in the Windows Registry.
Is there one way to open unknown files?
Many files contain only simple text data. It is possible that while opening unknown files (e.g. CR2) with a simple text editor like Windows Notepad will allow us to see some of the data encoded in the file. This method allows you to preview the contents of many files, but probably not in such a structure as a program dedicated to support them.