How to view a .PEF file online
No app, no account, no upload.
Open your .PEF
Drag a .PEF 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 .PEF file?
Everything worth knowing about Pentax Electronic File (Pentax digital camera raw image).
A PEF file is the raw image format produced by Pentax (Ricoh Imaging) DSLRs, the unprocessed sensor data before any color or sharpness adjustments are applied. On Windows, install the free Raw Image Extension from the Microsoft Store to preview PEF files in Explorer. To edit or convert them, use the free darktable or RawTherapee.
Programs that open .PEF files
- Windows
- darktable, FastStone Image Viewer, RawTherapee, Adobe Lightroom / Photoshop (Camera Raw), Raw Image Extension (Microsoft Store), XnView MP
- macOS
- darktable, Adobe Photoshop / Lightroom (Camera Raw), Apple Photos / Preview
- Linux
- darktable, RawTherapee, GIMP (+ darktable/RawTherapee plugin)
| Full name | Pentax Electronic File (Pentax digital camera raw image) |
|---|---|
| Developer | Pentax (Ricoh Imaging) |
| First released | early 2000s (Pentax *ist D era, c. 2003); still produced by current Pentax/Ricoh DSLRs alongside DNG |
| Category | Images |
| MIME type | image/x-pentax-pef |
| Signature | 49 49 2A 00 ("II*\0" - little-endian TIFF header) |
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Frequently asked questions
Is my .PEF file uploaded?
No. The viewer reads your .PEF 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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