CR2 to DNG Converter

About CR2

CR2 (Canon Raw version 2) is the proprietary RAW file format used by Canon EOS DSLR cameras from approximately 2004 through 2018 — models including the 5D, 5D Mark II, 5D Mark III, 7D, 7D Mark II, 70D, 80D, and the Rebel series (1100D through 800D). Like all RAW formats, CR2 stores the unprocessed sensor data captured at the moment of shooting: 14-bit color depth per channel, full dynamic range before any white balance or tone curve is applied. Photographers shoot in CR2 precisely for this latitude — a file that appears underexposed or color-shifted can be recovered in post-processing without visible quality loss that would occur if the correction were applied to an in-camera JPG.

The tradeoff is compatibility. CR2 files require Canon's Digital Photo Professional, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Camera Raw, or another RAW-capable editor to open. They are not displayable in browsers, email clients, social platforms, or most general-purpose applications. Converting to JPG produces a universally compatible file that opens in every application without additional software or codec downloads.

When CR2 to JPG makes sense

Any delivery or sharing scenario that prioritises compatibility over editability calls for JPG. Sending shots to a client by email, uploading to a social platform, publishing to a photography blog, or submitting to a print lab that accepts JPEG — all require a processed output. This converter provides a direct path from CR2 sensor data to a ready-to-share JPG or PNG without opening a desktop application.

About this conversion

Conversion uses ufraw-batch to decode the CR2 sensor data, then Imagick to produce the output JPG, PNG, or WebP. The decode applies default auto white balance and a linear tone curve — a neutral, flat render without Canon's Picture Style profiles (Standard, Portrait, Landscape, etc.) or in-camera sharpening. The output is technically correct but intentionally neutral. It is a starting point, not a finished edit. For output that replicates the camera's own JPEG output style exactly, export from Canon Digital Photo Professional or Adobe Lightroom with your chosen Picture Style applied.

File size note

CR2 files from Canon DSLRs range from 10–30 MB depending on camera model and megapixel count. This converter has a 20 MB upload limit. Files from high-resolution bodies — particularly the 5DS (50 MP) and 5DS R (50 MP) — frequently exceed 30 MB uncompressed. In that case, reduce resolution in-camera, enable in-camera RAW compression if available, or export a high-quality JPEG from your RAW editor and use this converter for format-only conversion.

About DNG

DNG (Digital Negative) is an open RAW format published by Adobe in 2004 as a universal, future-proof alternative to manufacturer-proprietary RAW formats like CR2, NEF, and ARW. It is used in two distinct contexts: (1) as a native capture format by cameras and smartphones — Google Pixel (via the Android Camera API raw output), Adobe Camera on iOS, Leica M-series, Ricoh GR series, Pentax K-series, and Hasselblad cameras — and (2) as a conversion target, with Adobe Lightroom's "Convert to DNG" function repackaging proprietary RAW files into the open DNG format for archival.

Like other RAW formats, DNG stores unprocessed sensor data before white balance, tone curve, or any color science is applied. The key advantage over proprietary formats is longevity: DNG is a published ISO-standard container format that software will continue to support regardless of camera manufacturer decisions. This converter supports both camera-native DNG and Lightroom-converted DNG files.

When DNG to JPG makes sense

DNG files — whether from a Google Pixel, a Leica, an Adobe Camera export, or a Lightroom DNG archive — are not viewable outside dedicated RAW software. For sharing, delivery, or web publishing, JPG is required. This converter handles all DNG source types in a single upload.

About this conversion

ufraw-batch decodes the DNG sensor data using auto white balance and a linear tone curve. For smartphone-origin DNG files (Pixel, Adobe Camera on iOS), the output is a neutral, single-exposure RAW decode without any computational photography processing — no HDR fusion, no AI sharpening, no Night Sight enhancement — that the originating app would apply. For camera-origin DNG files (Leica, Ricoh, Pentax), the output similarly reflects the raw sensor data without camera-specific color science. The output is a technically correct starting point, not a finished image. For output that matches the phone's native JPEG processing, export directly from Google Photos (for Pixels) or from Adobe Lightroom.

File size note

DNG file sizes vary widely depending on source. Smartphone DNGs from Pixel 8 Pro (50 MP sensor) can reach 25–80 MB uncompressed — well above this converter's 20 MB upload limit. DNG files converted from existing DSLRs via Lightroom retain the size of the source RAW. For large Pixel DNG files, use the phone's native JPEG export in Google Photos. For Lightroom-converted DNGs, use lossless compression in DNG conversion settings to reduce file size before uploading.