Fast · private · local browser processing
Online Canon CR2 Viewer
Preview and review Canon CR2 files directly in your browser. Photos stay on your device and are never uploaded.
No upload · No account · No installation
Why use ViewRawNow for CR2 files?
ViewRawNow is a local-first review tool for quickly checking a folder of Canon RAW photos before editing.
- No photo upload, account, or installation
- Fast cards from embedded RAW previews
- Batch review, sorting, and larger previews
- Available EXIF details with zoom and pan
- Single, multi, and range reject selection
- Delete in Chrome or Edge, or export a reject list
What is the CR2 format?
CR2 (Canon RAW 2) is a Canon camera RAW format. Its TIFF-based CR2 container normally stores sensor data, camera metadata, and embedded previews.
ViewRawNow reads camera-written JPEG previews first. It loads local LibRaw WASM only when a suitable embedded preview is unavailable; it does not claim to develop every camera or compression variant.
Open Canon CR2 files online in your browser
View a folder of older Canon RAW photos without installing Digital Photo Professional or uploading the originals. ViewRawNow reads embedded CR2 previews locally for a fast first-pass review.
CR2 structure, full RAW, and sRAW
CR2 is a TIFF-based Canon RAW format used by many EOS DSLRs before the CR3 generation. Unlike ISO-BMFF-based CR3, its Canon-specific header can point to a separate raw IFD, so ViewRawNow follows that path as well as ordinary TIFF IFD links when looking for JPEG previews.
Full RAW and sRAW do not store identical sensor payloads. The viewer's fast path is concerned with a valid embedded JPEG; if an unusual CR2 lacks one, the browser loads the LibRaw fallback locally.
The real-camera regression set covers Canon EOS 5D Mark IV full RAW and sRAW CR2 files. Legacy Canon CRW is a different format, and Canon CRM is video, so neither is claimed as CR2 support.
How ViewRawNow opens CR2 files
- Find CR2 files in the selected local folder and verify the TIFF-based CR2 container.
- Inspect TIFF IFD previews and the CR2 raw IFD pointer for usable embedded images.
- Choose a preview near 1800 pixels for progressively rendered cards.
- Read the largest suitable preview only when the larger viewer opens.
- Use local LibRaw WASM only when no embedded preview can be used.
- Keep RAW bytes, filenames, paths, and EXIF data on the device.
Tested CR2 compatibility
Real-camera tested
Real-camera regression coverage currently includes Canon EOS 5D Mark IV samples.
- full RAW CR2
- sRAW CR2
Compatibility may vary by camera model and RAW compression mode.
Known CR2 limitations
- Compatibility can vary by camera model, firmware, and RAW recording mode.
- sRAW is regression-tested, but unusual older CR2 layouts can still require the local LibRaw fallback.
- Not currently supported as CR2: Canon CRW and CRM video.
Supported CR2 review workflow
- Browse an SD card or local RAW folder
- See previews appear progressively and sort the shoot
- Open a larger preview, then zoom and pan
- Review available EXIF and capture information
- Select individual rejects or a range
- Delete confirmed originals or export a reject list
CR2 viewer FAQ
Can I open CR2 files online?
Yes. ViewRawNow opens CR2 files from a local folder in your desktop browser. The review happens on your device rather than through a photo-upload service.
Are my CR2 photos uploaded?
No. RAW data, previews, filenames, paths, and EXIF metadata remain in the browser. ViewRawNow has no RAW photo upload endpoint.
Can ViewRawNow edit or convert CR2 files?
No. ViewRawNow is for previewing, sorting, inspecting, and selecting RAW photos. It does not adjust or convert sensor data.
Which Canon cameras are tested?
The current real-camera regression baseline covers Canon EOS 5D Mark IV with these samples: full RAW CR2, sRAW CR2. Other models may work, but they are not claimed as verified.
Why can CR2 previews fail?
A usable embedded JPEG may be missing or damaged, or the file may use a variant that the bundled LibRaw cannot decode. sRAW is regression-tested, but unusual older CR2 layouts can still require the local LibRaw fallback.