Convert CR2 to JPG on Windows

Real estate and portrait workflows store Canon CR2 files for editing. Upload forms want JPEG. Convert CR2 to JPG on Windows means export from Photos, Lightroom, or Canon tools, then optional resize for MLS caps. Keep card copies read-only. Write JPEG to deliverables\jpeg\ only.

A typical listing shoot produces one hundred CR2 files. The MLS portal wants JPEG at 3000 px long edge. Export once at the right width, then compress only if upload still fails.

Keep the CR2 master

File	Role
CR2	Edit master
JPEG	Client and portal delivery

See RAW to JPG on Windows for cross-brand RAW practice. For DNG and NEF, see DNG to JPG on Windows and NEF to JPG on Windows .

Never overwrite CR2. Never email CR2 unless requested.

Mistake to avoid	Why
Overwriting CR2	Destroys edit latitude
Full-res JPEG to email	Bounce or client frustration
Mixed Canon and phone RAW in one batch	Color profiles may differ
Skipping zoom check	Soft proofs go live

R-series and older Canon bodies produce different CR2 sizes. Set export width per job type, not one preset for every shoot.

Export JPEG from Photos

Photos on Windows 11 opens many CR2 files when codecs are installed:

1. Open CR2 in Photos.
2. Select images → export or Save as when available.
3. Save JPEG to deliverables at high quality.

Blank preview in Photos means install Canon codec or use Lightroom.

Batch from card copy often flows faster through Lightroom than importing hundreds of CR2 into Photos just to export.

Target	Max width hint
Email proof	2048 px
MLS	3000 px (check portal)
Web	1920 to 2400 px

Compare three random exports at 100% zoom before you upload the full set. Highlight recovery in Photos may differ from Lightroom for the same CR2 frame.

Photos defaults to sRGB JPEG, which matches most portal requirements.

Lightroom and Canon software

Lightroom or Canon Digital Photo Professional is more reliable for every CR2 variant:

1. Import CR2 with your edit preset.
2. Export → JPEG, quality 80 to 95.
3. Set long edge per portal rules.

Lightroom export checklist:

Setting	Typical value
Color space	sRGB for web and MLS
Quality	85 to 90
Long edge	Portal max width
Sharpening	Screen for web, print for vendor

Save export presets per client so second shooters match your deliverable spec without asking for settings each job.

Install FFmpeg with winget if it is not already on PATH:

winget install --id Gyan.FFmpeg -e

After export, resize with FFmpeg:

mkdir web
Get-ChildItem deliverables\*.jpg | ForEach-Object {
  ffmpeg -i $_.FullName -vf scale=3000:-2 -q:v 3 "web\$($_.BaseName)-3000.jpg"
}

Paint is not a RAW tool. Use Photos or Lightroom for CR2, Paint only for cropping a finished JPEG if needed.

Delivery sizes for listings

Export at portal long edge first. Compress only when upload still fails.

See how to compress images on Windows after JPEG export.

Spot-check three frames at 100% zoom before publishing the full MLS set.

Phone JPEG sidecars from the same shoot day should not mix into the CR2 ingest folder. Keep phone files separate so batch scripts do not treat 12 MP phone images like 45 MP CR2 exports.

Filename discipline helps clients: 2026-06-27_0142.jpg beats IMG_9842.jpg when sorting hundreds of proofs.

Keep CR2 on the ingest volume read-only. Second-shooter JPEG from a backup body can join the same deliverables queue after matching width presets.

Using GetCompress

After CR2 to JPEG export, GetCompress batch-resizes deliverables to portal presets.

• MLS and web gallery presets.
• Quality presets for portal caps.
• Local processing for listing photos under contract.
• Folder monitoring on editor export paths.

Develop CR2 in Photos or Lightroom. Size JPEG deliverables in GetCompress.

GetCompress does not replace RAW development. Use Photos or Lightroom for the initial CR2 to JPEG export, then GetCompress for consistent delivery sizing across the whole shoot. When a portal rejects the first upload, tweak quality once in the saved preset rather than re-exporting from CR2 unless the edit changed.

Second-shooter JPEG from a backup body can join the same GetCompress queue as Photos exports. Match long edge and quality presets so MLS or gallery uploads show consistent grain and sharpness across the full set.