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What is CR2?

Canon Raw v2 (CR2) is Canon's second-generation raw image format used by Canon EOS digital cameras for professional photography.

What is HEIC?

HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is a modern image format developed by the HEVC industry group. It uses advanced compression to achieve much smaller file sizes than JPEG.

When Should You Use CR2 vs HEIC?

Use CR2 When...

Reach for CR2 when your priority is canon photography, professional raw editing — its uncompromising quality ensures every detail is preserved.

Use HEIC When...

Reach for HEIC when your priority is ios photography, mobile devices — its efficient compression makes sharing fast and storage minimal.

CR2 vs HEIC: Key Differences

  • •The core technical difference: CR2 relies on lossless compression whereas HEIC uses lossy compression.
  • •Moving from CR2 (lossy) to HEIC (lossy) means the output file will be significantly smaller — but at the cost of some visual fidelity.
  • •Alpha channel support: HEIC handles transparency, so semi-transparent pixels from the source will be lost.
  • •CR2 files are typically 20-50MB per photo depending on camera while HEIC files range 50% smaller than equivalent JPEG
  • •Primary audience: CR2 is built for canon photography, professional raw editing scenarios, while HEIC focuses on ios photography, mobile devices — pick the format that matches your output requirement.

Advantages of CR2

  • ✓CR2 uses lossless compression tailored for Canon photography, professional raw editing.
  • ✓CR2 is supported natively on virtually every device, browser, and operating system.
  • ✓CR2 files are bit-for-bit perfect, preserving every pixel and sample for professional work.
  • ✓CR2 integrates seamlessly with all major photo editing tools and workflows.

Advantages of HEIC

  • ✓HEIC compresses data using lossy methods, keeping file sizes manageable for iOS photography, mobile devices.
  • ✓Industry-wide support means HEIC files open anywhere — from legacy systems to the latest devices.
  • ✓Small file sizes make HEIC ideal for email, web uploads, and cloud storage.
  • ✓From Adobe Photoshop to open-source alternatives, HEIC works out of the box.

Common Use Cases for CR2 to HEIC Conversion

  • Certificate and badge design
  • Websites and online content
  • Print materials and publications
  • Social media posts and ads
  • Digital photography and editing
  • Graphic design projects

Industry Applications

E-learning ContentWeb DevelopmentGraphic DesignPhotographySocial Media MarketingPrint Publishing

Best Practices for CR2 to HEIC Conversion

  • →When converting CR2 to HEIC, check whether HEIC supports transparency — if not, your transparent areas will be filled with a solid color
  • →Use HEIC for maximum quality archival and CR2 for lossless workflows
  • →Optimize images for web to reduce page load times — tools like our converter let you adjust quality settings before conversion
  • →Maintain original aspect ratio to avoid distortion during conversion
  • →Always keep a backup of your original files before converting
  • →Choose the appropriate quality settings for your specific use case

Related Article

What Is HEIC Format and How to Convert HEIC to JPG

Learn more about CR2 and HEIC formats in our detailed guide.

Troubleshooting CR2 to HEIC Conversion

  • !Converting CR2 to HEIC gives blurry output → increase the quality setting before conversion
  • !Colors look different in HEIC than CR2 → check color profile mismatch (sRGB vs Adobe RGB)
  • !File size changed more than expected → HEIC uses different compression, file size differences of 2-5x are normal
  • !Transparent areas in CR2 turned white in HEIC → HEIC may not support transparency

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Convert CR2 to HEIC Online - Free & Fast

Convert CR2 files to HEIC online for free. High-quality conversion with no registration required.

Image Converter

Upload or enter a URL to convert CR2 to HEIC instantly

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.cr2,.CR2 (max 100MB)

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About CR2 and HEIC

CR2

CR2 (Canon CR2 raw) - Canon Raw v2, raw image format from Canon digital cameras. Best for canon photography, professional raw editing.

HEIC

HEIC (HEIC images) - HEIF/HEIC - Apple High Efficiency Image Container. Ideal for ios photography, mobile devices.

Format Comparison

CompressionLossless → Lossy
TransparencyN/A
Use CaseConvert from canon photography, professional raw editing to ios photography, mobile devices
File Size~50% smaller than equivalent JPEG after conversion

FAQs

Is converting CR2 to HEIC free?

Yes, GoConvertFile offers free conversion of CR2 to HEIC for files up to 100MB. No registration required.

How long does it take to convert CR2 to HEIC?

Most CR2 to HEIC conversions complete within seconds for standard-sized files. Larger files may take longer depending on the conversion complexity.

What is HEIC best used for?

HEIC is ideal for ios photography, mobile devices. HEIF/HEIC - Apple High Efficiency Image Container

Does converting CR2 to HEIC lose quality?

Yes, converting CR2 to HEIC uses lossy compression, which reduces file size by discarding some visual data. Set quality to 85-95% for a good balance of quality and file size.

What file size should I expect after converting CR2 to HEIC?

HEIC files are typically 50-80% smaller than CR2 files because HEIC uses efficient lossy compression. The exact reduction depends on quality settings.

Will transparency be preserved when converting CR2 to HEIC?

No, HEIC does not support transparency. Any transparent areas in your CR2 will be filled with a solid color (usually white) during conversion. Use PNG or WebP if transparency is needed.

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