The expression “60D file” is not a genuine extension but a simple shorthand for media generated by the Canon EOS 60D, which produces CR2 RAW files, JPG images, and MOV videos rather than anything ending in .60D; when people use the phrase, they’re talking about the camera of origin because editing workflows rely heavily on camera-specific traits, and CR2 metadata lets software recognize the model and adjust for differences in sensor design, color output, noise levels, and dynamic range, so photographers commonly refer to these as “60D files” for quick communication.

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 practice started during the peak DSLR period, when models varied significantly and mixed-camera productions were common, so editors had to track which camera created which files because color work, noise handling, and lens adjustments depended heavily on the model; as a result, naming clips by camera became standard and still persists even though extensions haven’t changed, and the misunderstanding comes when someone thinks there is a special .60D file type, even though a “60D file” is simply a regular image or video with metadata identifying the Canon EOS 60D, meaning the real concern isn’t opening a .60D file but correctly working with CR2, JPG, or MOV files from that camera.

People often say “60D file” instead of “CR2” because in practical workflows the camera model gives clearer expectations while “CR2” only tells you it’s Canon RAW and nothing about the sensor, and although CR2 is shared across models, each Canon camera has unique color science, dynamic range, noise performance, and highlight characteristics; calling something a “60D file” instantly signals editing behavior, suitable profiles, and expected strengths or weaknesses.

Another reason is that **editing tools reinforce thinking in terms of cameras**, with Lightroom, Capture One, and Photoshop assigning model-specific adjustments rather than treating all CR2 files equally, choosing customized color matrices, tone curves, and profiles for cameras like the Canon EOS 60D; the result is that a 60D CR2 is processed differently from a 5D or Rebel CR2 despite identical extensions, prompting users to adopt the same camera-focused language.

Workflow organization also plays a major role because on professional shoots files are commonly sorted by camera model rather than by extension, especially when several cameras are involved, so a folder labeled “60D” might hold CR2 photos, JPG previews, and MOV videos, yet the entire team simply calls them “the 60D files,” which reduces confusion, speeds communication, and helps coordinate editing, color matching, and delivery; clients and non-technical stakeholders reinforce this since they understand gear labels more than extensions, so when they request “the 60D files” or “the RAWs from the 60D,” they just want the original high-quality material from that specific camera, with the model name setting clearer expectations about quality and editability than a file extension ever could.

#keyword# Finally, this way of speaking comes from DSLR-era workflows, when various camera models created clearly varied results even with matching RAW formats, making it essential for editors and shooters to track which model was used to keep a unified look, and over time camera-based file references became the norm; that convention stuck, so “60D file” remains shorthand for “a Canon RAW from a Canon EOS 60D,” even though the underlying file is just a CR2. #links#