Free or inexpensive Windows software to open and convert Canon CR2 RAW files
Asked 11/13/2010
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I have Canon .CR2 RAW files on Windows and want to view or convert them without buying full Photoshop. The JPEG copies I received already have effects applied, so I’d like to work from the original RAW files instead. What free or low-cost tools can open CR2 files and export them to a standard format?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
15
You can use any free (as in freedom) RAW processing software. I can recommend:
It is a stand-alone RAW converter. Its interface is different from many other RAW converters, but I find it quite good. It easily integrates with Gimp photo editor.
It is more like workflow software rather than just a RAW converter. One may consider its interface more friendly. Also, it allows to save the processing profile and quickly apply it to many photos in a series.
Either tool should handle CR2 files. On one hand, there are other free RAW converters to choose from, but most of them are directly or indirectly based on the same dcraw.c, as UFRaw is. RawTherapee, on the other hand, seems to have a different rasterizer.
Originally by user1558. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1558
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes—there are several free options for opening and converting Canon CR2 files on Windows.
Common recommendations include UFRaw and RawTherapee. UFRaw is a standalone RAW converter and can also integrate with GIMP. RawTherapee is more of a full RAW-processing workflow tool and is often considered more user-friendly, with the ability to save settings and apply them to multiple photos.
Other free choices mentioned are dcraw, RAWHide, StepOK raw importer, Scarab Darkroom, and GIMP. Of these, dcraw is the classic engine behind many RAW tools, but it is command-line only, so most Windows users will prefer a graphical program like RawTherapee or UFRaw.
You can also check Canon’s website for downloadable software that supports CR2 files.
If you want the simplest free path on Windows, start with RawTherapee; if you want something lightweight or GIMP integration, try UFRaw.
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