CR3 file: what it is and how to open it on Windows
CR3 is the RAW photo format of Canon cameras since 2018: the EOS R mirrorless range, the EOS M50 and recent DSLRs such as the 90D. It holds the unprocessed sensor data. On Windows, open it free in Photos with Microsoft's Raw Image Extension or in Canon's Digital Photo Professional, or convert whole folders to JPG in one batch.
How to open a .CR3 file on Windows
- Windows Photos (free). Install the free Raw Image Extension from the Microsoft Store, then double-click the CR3. Good for looking at a few photos.
- Canon Digital Photo Professional (free). Canon's own editor, free for Canon camera owners (the download asks for your camera's serial number). Edits and exports CR3.
- Contenta Converter, for a whole shoot. Drop the folder, pick JPG, TIFF or PNG and convert hundreds of CR3 files in one batch, resized and renamed in the same pass if you like.
How it works
Formaatti |
CR3 |
Yritys |
Canon |
| Kuvaus | CR3 is Canon current RAW image format, introduced with the EOS M50 in 2018. It is based on the ISO Base Media File Format (ISOBMFF) and replaces the older CR2 format. CR3 files contain unprocessed sensor data at 14-bit depth, preserving maximum detail for post-processing. |
| Edut | Supports both uncompressed RAW and compressed C-RAW (roughly 40% smaller files with minimal quality loss). Based on a modern container format that allows embedded previews and faster thumbnail generation. |
| Haittoja | Requires updated software to open. Older versions of Photoshop, Lightroom, and other editors may not support CR3 without updates. Not backwards-compatible with CR2 workflows. |
| Kamerat | Canon EOS R, EOS R3, EOS R5, EOS R5 II, EOS R6, EOS R6 II, EOS R7, EOS R8, EOS R10, EOS R50, EOS R100, EOS M50, EOS M50 II, EOS M6 II, EOS 1D X III, EOS 850D, EOS 90D, PowerShot G5 X II, PowerShot G7 X III |
| Metatieto | Full EXIF metadata including lens data, GPS coordinates, and shooting parameters. Supports XMP sidecar files for non-destructive edits. |
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CR3 image organization
CR3 image processing
CR3 image annotation
Frequently Asked Questions about CR3
Which Canon cameras use CR3 format?
All Canon mirrorless EOS R cameras (R, R3, R5, R5 II, R6, R6 II, R7, R8, R10, R50, R100) and newer DSLRs like the EOS 850D and 90D use CR3. The EOS M50 was the first camera to introduce this format in 2018.
Can I open CR3 files in older versions of Photoshop?
CR3 requires Adobe Camera Raw 10.3 or later (Photoshop CC 2018+, Lightroom Classic 7.3+). Older versions cannot open CR3 files. Contenta Converter PREMIUM can batch convert CR3 to JPG, TIFF, or DNG for compatibility with any software.
How do I convert CR3 to JPG without Canon software?
Drop your CR3 files into Contenta Converter, choose JPG and click Start Converting. It decodes the RAW data itself, including compressed C-RAW files, so neither Canon DPP nor Photoshop is needed.
Need more than CR3 conversion? Browse supported cameras that produce CR3 files below, or: