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CR2 PDF
File conversion

Convert CR2 to PDF

Verified by Adam B.· reviewed by FE Editorial ·updated Aug 27, 2026
QUICK ANSWER
Is it possible to convert CR2 to PDF?
Yes - CR2 converts to PDF.

Develop the .cr2 in a raw editor and export a JPEG or TIFF, then save that image as a PDF. Adobe Photoshop opens a .cr2 directly in Camera Raw and can save as PDF in a single workflow.

6 programs
Also to PDF: LTX · TEX · DWG

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Tested on macOS, Windows & Linux
Last verified Oct 2026

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Why convert CR2 to PDF?

CR2 is a TIFF-based proprietary raw format used in Canon DSLRs from 2004 through roughly 2018. PDF is a page-description format for fixed-layout documents. Photographers convert to PDF when sending images for review or print proofing, or when a publisher or print lab requires PDF submission, as most recipients cannot open raw files.

How to convert CR2 to PDF

Adobe Photoshop APP

Open the .cr2 in Photoshop (Camera Raw launches automatically), adjust the image, then go to File > Save As and choose Photoshop PDF.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom APP

Develop the .cr2 in Lightroom, then use File > Print with 'Print to File' set to PDF, or export via the Book module for a multi-page PDF.

XnConvert FREE

Add your .cr2 files to XnConvert, set the output format to PDF, and run the batch conversion to produce a PDF for each image.

Programs that convert CR2

PhotoFiltre Studio
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop for Mac
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom for Mac
XnConvert
Our free PDF toolsAll tools →
Merge PDFSplit PDFCompress PDFRotate PDFOrganize PDFExtract PDF pagesRemove PDF pagesWatermark PDFPDF page numbersSign PDFFill PDF formsProtect PDFUnlock PDFRepair PDFOCR PDF

About these formats

.CR2 Canon RAW 2 (Canon digital camera raw image, version 2)

A CR2 file is a raw image from a Canon DSLR - the unprocessed sensor data, similar to a digital negative. On Windows, install the free Raw Image Extension (Microsoft Store) to see…

Open .CR2 details →
.PDF Portable Document Format

A PDF (Portable Document Format) is a fixed-layout document that looks identical on every device - fonts, images, and layout are all embedded. Open it in any browser or the built-in viewer…

Open .PDF details →

Quality & what to watch

  • There is no single-step direct path from raw to PDF - the .cr2 must be developed into a viewable image before it can be placed into a PDF.
  • Resolution and compression settings at export determine the quality of the embedded image; use high-quality JPEG or TIFF settings for print use.
  • PDF is a page-layout container, not a photo format - conversion is most useful when the recipient specifically requires a PDF submission format.

Frequently asked questions

Can I batch-convert multiple CR2 files into a single PDF?
Yes - in Lightroom, select multiple images in the Print or Book module and export as a single multi-page PDF.
Will the PDF retain the full raw quality of the CR2?
No - PDF embeds a processed image; the raw tonal range is baked in during development, so your editing choices in Camera Raw or Lightroom determine the final quality.
Do I need paid software to convert CR2 to PDF?
Not necessarily - XnConvert (free) can batch-convert .cr2 files to PDF, and on Windows you can print any developed image to Microsoft Print to PDF at no extra cost.