What Is an RW2 File?
A file with the .RW2 file extension is a raw image created by a Panasonic digital camera, like the LUMIX AG-GH4 or LUMIX DMC-GX85. A raw image file perfectly reproduces what it captured. In other words, there hasn’t been any processing done to the file since it was taken by the Panasonic camera. These files are ideal for image editors that adjust the photo’s color, exposure, etc.
How to Open RW2 Files
Windows’ Photos app, and the Preview app in macOS, should be able to open RW2 files. If you’d rather use a different program, these are free: XnView MP, IrfanView, FastStone Image Viewer, and RawTherapee. Other programs that work to open RW2 files—but that are not free to use—include Adobe Photoshop Elements, ACD Systems Canvas X, Corel PaintShop, and FastRawViewer. The LUMIX RAW Codec adds RW2 file support to Windows if you need it in Windows 7 or Windows Vista.
How to Convert an RW2 File
Convert your RW2 file to DNG with Adobe DNG Converter. DNG is a more widely used image format than RW2, so chances are it will open in more programs than if you keep it in the RW2 format. iLoveImg is a free online RW2 file converter that works on any operating system, which means you can convert RW2 to JPG on Windows or on macOS by just uploading the image to that website and then downloading the JPG to your computer. It can even load RW2 files from Dropbox and Google Drive. After your RW2 file is in the JPG format, run it through another free image converter program to make it a PNG or some other image file format.
Still Can’t Open Your File?
A common reason for not being able to open a file of any format, including a Panasonic raw image file, is that you’ve misread the file extension or some other program claims that file extension. For example, maybe you really have an RW3 file, in which case it’s related to web pages and the RapidWeaver 3 program from Realmac Software.
