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CRW to BMP Converter

Convert CRW images to BMP online in seconds - free, with no sign-up and no watermark. Batch convert up to 30 files and download them together as a ZIP.

  • Free
  • No sign-up
  • No watermark
  • Private by design

Image Converter

How to use it

  1. 1

    Drop your CRW files onto the converter

  2. 2

    Press Convert to turn them into BMP

  3. 3

    Download your BMP images one by one or as a ZIP

CRW to BMP

Why convert CRW to BMP?

The main difference: CRW is an unprocessed sensor data format, while BMP is a lossless format.

Develop RAW into a ready-to-use photo

A CRW file holds the raw readings from the camera sensor, not a finished picture. Converting it to BMP applies the camera's colors and gives you a normal photo you can share, print or post right away.

Where BMP works best

BMP is ideal for legacy Windows software (files are very large). Converting gives you a file that works in the apps and websites that ask for BMP.

CRW vs BMP: what's the difference?

PropertyCRWBMP
Compression typeUnprocessed sensor dataLossless (exact pixels, larger files)
Transparent backgroundNoNo
AnimationNoNo
Where it opensNone (needs a RAW editor)Most browsers, rarely used on the web
Used forStraight-from-camera photos for editingLegacy Windows software (files are very large)

What is a CRW (camera RAW) file?

CRW is the camera RAW format of Canon - early digital cameras from around 1998 to 2004. Instead of a finished photo, a RAW file stores the unprocessed data straight from the camera's sensor.

That gives photographers maximum room to adjust exposure, white balance and color afterwards, but RAW files are large (often 20-60 MB) and need special software to view. Converting to JPG produces a normal photo you can share right away.

How to open a CRW (camera RAW) file

Canon Digital Photo Professional opens CRW files, and Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop (Camera Raw), Capture One, darktable and RawTherapee support them too. Mac Photos and Preview open most RAW formats; on Windows, the free Raw Image Extension adds support to the Photos app. Without any of these, convert CRW to JPG online.

Extension
.crw
Made by
Canon cameras
Contains
Unprocessed sensor data
Best for
Editing straight-from-camera photos

What is a BMP file?

BMP (bitmap) is Microsoft's original Windows image format. It stores pixels with little or no compression, so it's simple and lossless but very large - a 12-megapixel photo can top 35 MB.

BMP is mainly found in older Windows software, some industrial and embedded systems, and scanner output. For almost every other use, PNG gives the same quality at a fraction of the size.

How to open a BMP file

Windows Photos and Paint open BMP files, as does Mac Preview. Most browsers can display them too. Convert to PNG for a lossless copy that's much smaller, or JPG for photos.

Extensions
.bmp, .dib
Compression
None (usually)
Transparency
Rarely supported
Best for
Legacy Windows software

CRW to BMP

CRW to BMP FAQ

Drag your CRW files onto the converter at the top of this page and press Convert. Download each BMP on its own or grab them all in one ZIP - no software, no account.