How to view a .RW2 file online
No app, no account, no upload.
Open your .RW2
Drag a .RW2 file straight from your memory card onto the viewer, or choose it from your device. It's read right here, so even a 60 MB original opens without uploading.
View the photo and settings
We show the largest preview the camera saved, with shutter speed, aperture, ISO, lens, date, location and a histogram.
Save a JPG
Export the preview as JPG, PNG or WEBP to share it right away. Rotation from the camera is applied.
What is a .RW2 file?
Everything worth knowing about Panasonic Lumix RAW Image (version 2).
An RW2 file is a raw image from a Panasonic Lumix camera, the unprocessed sensor data, like a digital negative. On Windows, install the free Raw Image Extension from the Microsoft Store to see thumbnails, then use darktable, RawTherapee, or Panasonic's bundled SilkyPix to edit. To share, convert to JPG; to archive for the long term, convert to DNG.
Programs that open .RW2 files
- Windows
- darktable, RawTherapee, Adobe Lightroom / Photoshop (Camera Raw), IrfanView (+ RAW plugin), Raw Image Extension (Microsoft Store), SilkyPix Developer Studio (Panasonic edition)
- macOS
- darktable, Adobe DNG Converter, Apple Photos / Preview
- Linux
- darktable, RawTherapee, GIMP (+ darktable/RawTherapee plugin)
| Full name | Panasonic Lumix RAW Image (version 2) |
|---|---|
| Developer | Panasonic (Lumix); also used by some Leica cameras |
| First released | circa 2008 (Panasonic Lumix, replacing the earlier .raw); current Lumix raw format |
| Category | Images |
| MIME type | image/x-panasonic-rw2 |
| Signature | 49 49 55 00 ("IIU\0" - Panasonic variant of the little-endian TIFF header) |
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Frequently asked questions
Is my .RW2 file uploaded?
No. The viewer reads your .RW2 file. RAW files are big and personal, so they never leave your device.
Is this the real RAW image?
It's the full-size JPEG preview the camera stored inside the RAW file, which is what the camera displays. It has the camera's own colors and white balance. Developing the raw sensor data with your own settings is coming soon.
Why is the preview small for my camera?
Some older cameras (and Sigma, Kodak and Minolta models) only embed a small thumbnail. The panel tells you the preview size and how it compares to the sensor.
Where does the location come from?
From the GPS data your camera or phone saved in the file. If you share the photo, remember this data travels with the original RAW.
Can I convert RAW to JPG here?
Yes: open the file and use Save as JPG. You'll get the camera's preview in full quality. For edited exports with your own exposure and color, use a RAW editor until our developer arrives.
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