How To Repair Corrupted Cr2 Image Files

Can corrupt Canon CR2 RAW photos be repaired?

As expected there is no yep/no reply possible top this question.

If you're unable to open the file at all then perhaps, but definitive answer is only possible after closer examination of the file. Windows Photos will merely state: "It appears we don't support this file format" even though correct codecs ( RAW Paradigm Extension) are installed.
If the Canon RAW file can be opened but image looks corrupt / distorted then probably no. Information technology may however still be possible to excerpt the full resolution preview JPEG from the CR2 file (see below). In this photo for example part of the RAW image data is only missing ( and corruption within RAW information may give similar symptom):

corrupt Canon CR2, it ain't a pretty sight

Instance of CR2 file with 25% missing information due to fragmentation

And so: If you can not open image at all information technology may be repairable. This is preferred over extraction of full resolution JPEG, because although this is better than nada yous lose a huge amount of data of class.

If image is visually corrupt then probably now although I take seen rare cases where misalignment of data within a CR2 file resulted in this blazon of corruption. And also, if the CR2 looks like to a higher place example after y'all tried to recover it using file recovery software, a data recovery specialist may still be able to recover an intact file.

Repair corrupt CR2 files (using a reference file)

Having a reference file is key. By examining a known good file and by comparing it to the decadent file we can endeavour to determine what's wrong with the corrupt file(s) is if it'southward repairable. A uncomplicated hex editor is preferred IMO. I employ HxD for the purpose. Some knowledge about the CR2 file spec is needed but now a lot surprisingly enough. The file is structured as a TIFF file and could be decoded as one. In my experience though this level of detail is not required. Key is that the RAW data inside a CR2 Canon RAW file is stored as lossless JPEG information.

So what I normally exercise is determine if this lossless JPEG exists inside the corrupt file and if so extract it. I then paste it on top of the lossless JPEG within the intact file > salve every bit new file and encounter if RawDigger tin can decode the file. I adopt RawDigger because it is very accepting with regards to pocket-sized anomalies and it's quick. But you can utilize RAW Therapy besides (complimentary). Problem is that RAW data will non match preview JPEGs (see below), but both RawDigger and RAW Therapy let yous to export every bit TIF.

Since I repair CR2 RAW Catechism files equally a service and often accept to repair lots of them, I decided to make my ain life a picayune easier by writing a simple tool that can automate the in a higher place process. I call this tool the Universal Header Repair Tool because it too tin can repair other RAW photo types, prove with different brand RAW photos.

U.H.R.T. repairing Canon RAW, CR2 photos

Autonomously from automating the procedure of gluing part of the sample and corrupt file together it does some additional processing. Without this processing it'south probable best to export the file equally TIFF every bit you'll cease up with embedded preview JPEGs that do non match the RAW information.

U.H.R.T. is for now a tool for internal use only merely I do offer this type of repair as a service.

How to extract JPEG data from corrupt CR2 RAW files

If the file can non be repaired because RAW data is absent or corrupt it is often possible to extract JPEG previews. Canon RAW files comprise a full resolution JPEG, still it'south quality is lower than the JPEG that is the outcome of shooting in RAW+JPEG style due to higher (lossy) compression.

Using ImageMagick'southward identify control to look at the quality of the JPEG resulting from the photographic camera'south RAW+JPEG mode, you may see 95. When you lot utilise ImageMagick to look at the JPEG preview that has been directly extracted from the RAW part of the same RAW+JPEG photo, you lot become a value of 81.

Even with corrupt CR2 files it often possible to excerpt the JPEG data. Something is better than cipher. Notation that some photograph repair software that claims to be able to handle corrupt CR2 files does the exact same affair! Rather than really repair a decadent Catechism CR2, they just extract JPEG data. Since version 1.eight.63 JPG-Repair also supports this characteristic.

JPG-Repair helps you save JPEGs from these corrupt RAW photos

NEF
CR2
CRW
RAF
ORF
ARW
SRW
PEF
3FR
RW2
DNG
TIF

Select a tool > Choice Extract JPEG
Click folder icon
Browse to the folder containing the corrupted RAW file(s) and select files you want to extract embedded JPEGs from.
Set a minimum resolution (encounter below)!
Click Repair.
JPEG repair volition automatically save repaired files. It too shows previews in the main screen. If there were whatever errors JPEG-Repair shows an error log window.

Set minimum resolution:

RAW photos may contain several embedded JPEGs, such a thumbnail (beneath ane MP), medium sized (almost ane MP) and a full resolution preview. Whenever possible we want to total resolution preview. Select 3 MP for minimum resolution will get the right JPEG and skip smaller ones.