The idea of a "60D file" is not representative of an official file type but simply a convenient way to mention files coming from a Canon EOS 60D, which stores data as CR2 RAW images, JPG photos, and MOV videos instead of anything with a .60D suffix; when someone uses that term, they’re referring to the source camera because camera-specific behavior matters in editing, and CR2 files include metadata that tells software which Canon body was used—important due to variations in sensor output, color science, noise performance, and dynamic range—leading editors to casually label them as "60D files."

Studios and production workflows commonly categorize project materials by the camera model rather than the extension, so a project folder might contain sections labeled 60D, 5D, or Sony A7S, even if all files inside are CR2, JPG, or MOV, and people naturally refer to each set as "the 60D files," which boosts clarity when tackling multi-camera shoots; this habit is reinforced by clients and non-technical users who focus on the camera used, so when they say "the 60D files" or "the RAWs from the 60D," they simply mean the original, high-quality footage from that camera, whose name offers clearer expectations about quality than any technical extension.

This convention traces back to the DSLR era, when model differences were striking and multi-camera shoots were common, so editors needed to identify which camera produced each file because grading choices, noise treatment, and lens fixes varied across models; this naming approach became standard even as file extensions remained unchanged, and confusion only arises when someone assumes "60D file" means a dedicated .60D format, when in fact it’s just a normal image or video containing Canon EOS 60D metadata, making the real issue how to open CR2, JPG, or MOV files shot with that camera.

People say "60D file" instead of "CR2" because in real workflows the camera model conveys far more information than the extension, since "CR2" only identifies a Canon RAW file and not the sensor behind it, and different Canon cameras that all shoot CR2 still vary in sensor design, color science, dynamic range, noise behavior, and highlight response; by using "60D file," photographers instantly know how the image will behave in editing, which profile fits best, and what strengths or limitations to expect.

Another reason is that **editing software pushes a camera-first mindset**, because programs such as Lightroom, Capture One, and Photoshop apply model-specific processing by reading EXIF information and selecting the right camera profile, tone curve, and color matrix for models like the Canon EOS 60D; practically, this makes a 60D CR2 behave differently from a 5D or Rebel CR2 even if they share the same extension, so people naturally mirror the software’s camera-based terminology.

Workflow norms matter because professional teams habitually sort footage by camera rather than extension, especially on multi-camera shoots, so a folder titled "60D" may contain CR2, JPG, and MOV files, yet everyone calls them "the 60D files," which streamlines communication and editing coordination; clients and non-technical stakeholders reinforce the habit because they recognize camera names, so asking for "the 60D files" or "the RAWs from the 60D" simply means they want the original, high-quality source material, with the camera name providing clearer expectations about quality and editability than a file extension ever provides.

#keyword# Finally, this expression survives from long-standing DSLR workflow culture, where during the DSLR boom different camera bodies generated noticeably different looks even with identical RAW formats, so teams relied on camera identity to maintain uniformity, and camera-based labeling became common practice; that convention still holds, meaning "60D file" is just shorthand for "a Canon RAW image from a Canon EOS 60D," even though the file itself is simply a CR2. Should you loved this post and you wish to receive more details with regards to 60D file technical details kindly visit the web page. #links#