.cr2 File — Canon Raw Image

CR2 (Canon Raw version 2) is Canon's proprietary RAW image format used by most Canon digital cameras from the mid-2000s through the late 2010s. CR2 files contain unprocessed sensor data captured at the camera's full bit depth (typically 14-bit), preserving maximum dynamic range and color information for post-processing flexibility. The format is based on the TIFF specification and includes embedded JPEG previews at multiple resolutions, EXIF metadata with camera settings and lens information, and the raw Bayer pattern data from the image sensor. CR2 files allow photographers to adjust white balance, exposure, noise reduction, sharpening, and color grading in post-production without any quality loss. Canon has since introduced the CR3 format for newer camera bodies, which uses the ISO Base Media File Format container. CR2 files require specialized RAW processing software and are not directly viewable in most basic image viewers, though modern operating systems increasingly include RAW preview support.