Canon RAW Codec for Windows Vista Released

I used to be a Nikon guy, but I decided to dabble with the Canon Rebel XT a couple of years ago, and so far, I'm pleased. Most of my newer wallpaper images were taken with the Canon camera and a 60mm macro lens. Unfortunately, until now, all of those wonderful .CR2 files sitting in my picture folders didn't display thumbnails, and they weren't viewable in the Windows Photo Gallery. The good news is that Vista provides an extensible platform for camera manufacturers to add support for their RAW file formats directly into the operating system (as an aside, if you want to read more about writing a custom codec, check out the Windows Imaging Component Overview article on MSDN).

Canon released the first version of their RAW codec today, and a few others are also available:

• Canon RAW Codec 1.0 - choose your digital camera, then click Drivers / Software to find a link to the codec. According to the site, this version works with .CR2 files from the following cameras: EOS-1D Mark III, EOS-1Ds Mark II, EOS-1D Mark II N, EOS-1D Mark II, EOS 5D, EOS 30D, EOS 20D, EOS Kiss Digital X / EOS DIGITAL REVEL XTi / EOS 400D DIGITAL, and EOS Kiss Digital N / EOS DIGITAL REBEL XT / EOS 350D DIGITAL. No support is currently mentioned for files with a .CRW extension.
• Nikon RAW Codec 1.0.1 - works with .NEF files from the following cameras: D1, D1H, D1X, D100, D2H, D2Hs, D2X, D2Xs, D200, D40, D50, D70, D70s, D80, COOLPIX 8800, COOLPIX 8700, COOLPIX 8400, COOLPIX 5700, COOLPIX 5400, COOLPIX 5000.
• Sony RAW Codec - works with .SRF and .SR2 files, but I'm not sure which camera models are specifically supported.
• Olympus RAW Codec - work with .ORF files from the following cameras: E-1, E-300, E-330, E-400, E-500,E-10, E-20, C-70 ZOOM, C-5050ZOOM, C-5060 Wide Zoom, C-7070 Wide Zoom, C-8080 Wide Zoom, SP-310, SP-320, SP-350, SP-500UZ, SP-510UZ.

As an alternative, you can open up Windows Photo Gallery, choose File/Options, then click on the Check for updates button in the General tab. This will lead you to any added/updated codecs too.

For more information on Microsoft and photography, visit the Microsoft Photography Blog.

Comments

• Anonymous
  March 30, 2007
  Please specify which of these codecs supports Vista x64

• Anonymous
  March 31, 2007
  Excellent news. Unfortunately the Cannon add-ons are 32-bit only and will not install on Vista 64-bit :(

• Anonymous
  April 15, 2007
  Vista x64 is great, but this lack of x64 RAW support is killing me. Can you put some pressure on Nikon, Canon etc. to get this done?

• Anonymous
  April 27, 2007
  What happen with EOS 10D ? This works ?

• Anonymous
  April 30, 2007
  indeed no support for x64 again.

• Anonymous
  May 18, 2007
  The comment has been removed

• Anonymous
  May 21, 2007
  Being a Photographer, i use x64 fo its faster and more stable functionality in prgarms such as photoshop. How can Canon not make it for the 64bit version of Vista as well? This is getting a bit annoying. Guess i'd ahve tos tick to the fidly Canon software provided with the camera. By the way mines a 400D.

• Anonymous
  June 21, 2007
  The lack of .CRW support is dissapointing - is there any sign of a future update?

• Anonymous
  June 21, 2007
  It worked. the codec worked. BUT.. bugs.. it takes forever to close a preview after you open it. you probably have to wait for the image to load completely before you CAN close it. omg.

• Anonymous
  July 25, 2007
  The comment has been removed

• Anonymous
  August 16, 2007
  What a bad news to hear that RAW is not supported. Indeed it is a shame for the camera companies not making drivers for the latest technology they produce. Do you think this problem will be fixed till the end of this year?

• Anonymous
  October 16, 2007
  If Canon does not release RAW support for Vista. I will not be buying another Canon product. They do not support any Software for Vista as ultimately their drivers do not work. I have 3 canon bodies and multiple lenses. My newest body is less than 3 years old and still under warranty.  I wonder if I have a claim that non functional support is voiding the warranty, might be worth a claim in court. or at least multiple people attempting to make Canon realise they cannot dump customers whilst utilising their products. It is funny as I was planning on buying a new body next year, might sell all my gear on ebay and go for Nikon. At least they support their old RAW format.

• Anonymous
  April 04, 2008
  We are working on a 64 bit codec for Canon's CR2 on Vista x64. The current beta version is available at http://www.ardfry.com/cr2-codec/

• Anonymous
  April 04, 2008
  YES, IT's WORKS !!! Ardfry works fine under Vista 64 bit and support Canon RAW CR2 !!!!! Wonderfull !!!

• Anonymous
  April 22, 2008
  It works, but...it's not FREE! Why should I pay for it only because I have 64bit OS??? I know it is only 20 USD, but I live in Czech Republic, Europe, and I don't have a credit card which is commonly accepted worl-wide for  credit transfers... SHAME ON YOU CANON!!!

• Anonymous
  July 04, 2008
  The comment has been removed

• Anonymous
  July 08, 2008
  Agreed.  I would never pay for this! x64 raw support is something that should be free from Canon.  

• Anonymous
  August 01, 2008
  Still, no Vista x64 support.  If Canon can't, or won't do it, I'll have to address where my loyalties lie (that Nikon D3 does look sweet!). Dave

• Anonymous
  August 19, 2008
  Canon / Nikon should be paying ardfry for that software and giving it free to their users, if they cannot be bothered solving the issue themselves.

• Anonymous
  August 27, 2008
  Canon needs to support Vista x64.  I'm going to switch to Nikon if they won't.

• Anonymous
  September 11, 2008
  All you canon guys threatening to move to Nikon if Canon doesn't release a Vista x64 codec - Nikon doesn't have a Vista x64 codec either, only a x86 codec, just like canon. I have Nikon and Canon bodies, lack of x64 support is annoying, I will agree to that!

• Anonymous
  September 25, 2008
  check http://www.baldursoft.de/cr2.php for how to view cr2 in windows foto gallery under vista 64 bit

• Anonymous
  October 04, 2008
  Guys n Girls, You don't need to buy the codec to get support!!! You don't need to wait for Canon either. Unless you want to. While this is annoying you can get it to work pritty easily. Follow the steps below and you will get support for the Canon codec. It may no be 100% functional but it will be dam close. Steps required.

1. Install the 32bit version of the codec you want. I used the 1.3 version with vista 32bit support(64bit not supported). URL ---> http://support-au.canon.com.au/contents/AU/EN/0200034303.html
2. Make a 32bit explorer launch shortcut. This will effectivly enable you to use 32bit apps that integate with 32bit versions of windows. Note, this will only enable 32bit windows explorer integrated apps for the ONE windows that is stated!!!! So you have to view your photos and everything from that one windows. Or lauch more 32bit winows from the shotcut. To make the shotcut is easy. Simply right click on a blank space on your desktop. Select 'New' -----> 'Shortcut' -----> Enter the following text '%windir%SysWOW64explorer.exe /separate, /root, c:'. Obviously if you want it to open to a different directory than 'C:' you can modify it. Now your done. To start viewing your CR2 files just lauch a 32bit explorer window with the shortcut and navigate to your photos. Done. If you don't believe me try it for yourself it only takes a minute. Screen shot of it in action here ----> http://www.users.on.net/~jpetz/images/screen1.jpg

• Anonymous
  June 12, 2009
  The comment has been removed

• Anonymous
  June 12, 2009
  The comment has been removed

• Anonymous
  July 04, 2009
  The comment has been removed

• Anonymous
  October 04, 2009
  The comment has been removed

• Anonymous
  October 16, 2009
  It's mid-October 2009 and still no 64-bit .CR2 codec...

• Anonymous
  November 04, 2009
  Hey guys.. check out these codecs.  They work! Theyre free.   http://www.fastpictureviewer.com/codecs/