CR2 File Extension

Programs that support CR2 files

• Windows ²⁰
• Mac OS ⁵
• Linux ³

Windows

• Digital Photo Professional
• Canon RAW Codec
• HDR Darkroom
• ArcSoft PhotoStudio
• Zoner Photo Studio
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Lightroom
• XnView
• Microsoft Camera Codec Pack
• ZoomBrowser
• ACDSee Photo Manager
• XnConvert
• PhotoPhilia
• PhotoFiltre Studio
• BatchPhoto
• Picture Information Extractor
• Rawzor Photo
• Adobe DNG Converter
• PhotoPlus
• Adobe Photoshop Camera

Mac OS

• Adobe Lightroom
• Adobe Photoshop
• PhotoScape X
• XnView
• XnConvert

Linux

• XnView
• darktable
• XnConvert

How to open a CR2 file?

If you can’t open a CR2 file, it is usually because the necessary software is missing. To resolve the issue, select the right program from the list for your operating system. Then go to the official website of the developer, download the software, and install it.

Digital Photo Professional, Adobe Lightroom and Canon RAW Codec stand out as the preferred programs to manage CR2 files effectively. To get the latest version of Digital Photo Professional, open the Canon website where a universal installer for all operating systems is available.

When you finish installing Digital Photo Professional, the system will automatically launch CR2 files with it.

Set Digital Photo Professional to open CR2 by default

Change default apps on Mac

1. Right-click or use Control + Left-click on the desired CR2 file to access the file’s context menu;
2. Choose "Open in Application" and click "Other";
3. At the bottom of the window, you will see the "Enable" menu. It is already set to the default option, "Recommended Programs";
4. Within this menu, select "All Programs" and then search for Digital Photo Professional. Check the box next to "Always open in app" to make it the default program.

Set default programs for Windows

1. Take the first step by right-clicking on your CR2 file. Next, select "Open With" and then choose "Choose another app" from the available options;
2. Find the Digital Photo Professional application in the pop-up window and select it as your preferred program;
3. Select the "Always use this application" check box and click "OK" to save your selection as the default application for opening CR2 files.

Convert files to and from CR2

If a CR2 file is difficult to handle, you might try converting it to formats such as JPG, JPEG, GIF, PNG, PDF or similar, which may be easier to work with.

Be aware that converting a CR2 file may reduce some features, but you can usually revert it to the original format.

Convert CR2 to other file formats

• CR2 to PS
• CR2 to BMP
• CR2 to RAW
• CR2 to PSB
• CR2 to PSD
• CR2 to GIF

Converting Files to CR2 Format

• PZ3 to CR2
• PPZ to CR2
• MEF to CR2
• ARW to CR2
• OBJ to CR2
• PP2 to CR2

Easy CR2 Troubleshooting

When facing challenges with CR2 files, simple adjustments in your software can often solve the problem. Find helpful troubleshooting guidance below.

How to edit a CR2 file?

To make changes to CR2 files, you need specialized software that allows both opening and editing the camera raw files. Online CR2 editors offer fewer capabilities than applications optimized for Canon Raw Image Format.

Best CR2 Editor Software in 2026

After analyzing the criteria, we have created a list of CR2 editors available for use.