File Extension DCR

File type: Kodak RAW Image File

About the DCR file type:

If Windows cannot find the appropriate program associated with .DCR files, then your registry may have errors. Check your Windows registry for errors (includes file association errors).

The proprietary format DCR file extension represents the presence of the Kodak RAW image file which is described as the uncompressed image saved from SLR digital camera types. This Kodak developed technology is utilized for capturing images without the need for color adjustments or any type of compression. Basically, RAW photographs can be more accurately modified by image editing applications compared to the JPEG image format once they have been transferred to the computer system. The DCR file extension first made its appearance in the digital photography market with the release of the Kodak models DSC Pro SLR/c, DSC PRO 14nx, DSC Pro 14N, and DSC Pro SLR/n. These digital camera models released by Kodak to the market were accompanied by the Kodak Custom Looks proprietary software. The DCR file format is considered as a raster image type also referred to as a bitmap image. This particular image file uses a data structure representing rectangular pixel grids or color points which can be viewed on a computer monitor, paper, or other types of display media. The name bitmap describes the way the image is represented which means it corresponds to a bit-for-bit image on the screen similar to how a video stream is displayed.


Detailed information for file extension DCR

Category: Raster Image File
File format: Proprietary
Open with Windows: Kodak Custom Looks, Adobe Photoshop CS or other RAW image viewer, ACDSee Photo Manager, ACD Systems Canvas
Open with Linux: Adobe Photoshop CS
The DCR file extension, like many RAW image formats are characterized by their uncompressed nature wherein the digital photograph image data is saved exactly the way it was captured using the camera device's sensor. Normally, majority of digital camera devices apply color temperature and exposure adjustments almost simultaneously to the taking of the picture. This process results in an image which is then further compressed and saved commonly using the JPEG format to the camera's storage media. The storage media used by a digital camera can either be the internal memory of the device or a removable memory card. The difference with RAW mode shooting like in the case of the DCR file extension is that the color temperature and exposure settings are not directly applied to the image with the photograph being saved in its uncompressed form. This is the reason why the image is referred to as RAW. The use of RAW images also results in a significant increase in the use of file storage normally twice the file size utilized by the JPEG image file. The advantage in using RAW images is that since it remains free from image compression, it retains majority of the original details resulting in higher quality images compared to JPEG files. This difference may not be noticeable to the ordinary user but to the professional photographer, RAW is the preferred mode because they can make sure of the best quality outputs for every image file.