Opening a PEF File

The PEF file type is primarily associated with Pentax Codec.

PEF	File extension: PEF
	File type:	raw image

What is a PEF file

PEF files mostly belong to Pentax Codec by Pentax. PEF is the filename extension of high-resolution photographs stored in the RAW format used by digital cameras manufactured by Pentax. PEF RAW format use a TIFF/EP container to store minimally processed photographs captured by the camera's image sensor without compressing the image. The file may also contain metadata such as camera settings, color information, and timestamps. Pentax RAW codec software for Windows operating system provides a library of codecs which allow Windows programs such as Photos to decode and display PEF images. Third-party programs like PaintShop and ACDSee Photo Studio can also open images saved in PEF format. Some programs use an XML-based PEF format to store resource descriptions written according to the Dublin Core Metadata Element Set standard. PEF is also the filename extension of executables saved in the Preferred Executable Format used by Macintosh computers with PowerPC processors. The format is considered obsolete.

How to open a PEF file

You need a suitable software like Pentax Codec to open a PEF file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your PEF file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a PEF file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online PEF File Viewer

Choose your .pef file to view this image

or drag and drop it here

Online File Viewer

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How to convert a PEF file to JPG, PDF, HTML, DOC, ...

If you want to convert or edit a PEF file, you can use our free Online PEF File Converter (powered by Convert.Guru):

Just click the "Choose your .pef file to view this image" button on this page.
Your PEF file will then be displayed in the browser.
Now click on "Save as..." at the top of the page.
Then click the file format (e.g. PDF, JPG, DOCX, TXT, ...) you want.
Your file will be converted and downloaded.

Programs that open and convert PEF files:

Pentax Codec by Pentax
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. PEF files are often referred to as Pentax Codec camera raws because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
ACDSee Photo Studio (raw image) by ACD
ACDSee Photo Studio is an all-in-one software for editing, enhancing, and retouching digital photographs. It supports a range of raster graphics formats including TIFF and PEF. This file format is classified as Camera Raw. Related links: Pentax Tags
Photoshop (raw image) by Adobe
Photoshop is a cross-platform software used to edit photographs and create raster graphics designs. RAW images saved in PEF format can be opened and edited with Photoshop. This file format is classified as Camera Raw. Related links: Pentax Tags
Sublime (data) by Sublime
Sublime is a cross-platform, lightweight and extensible code editor. It can display and edit resource description and metadata saved in PEF files. The resource descriptions in these PEF files are written according to the Dublin Core Metadata Element Set standard. This file format is classified as Data. Related links: DCMI Metadata Terms

Technical Data for PEF File Extension

File classification:

Camera Raw

Related files:

ref, pdf, pdo, ad, lmt

Related links:

Pentax Tags

Mime type:

image/x-raw-pentax, image/dng, image/x-pentax-pef

The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.

ProgramID: ACDSee 7.0.pef
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ACD Systems\ACDSee\7.0\ACDSee7.exe %1

ProgramID: PaintShopPro9.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Jasc Software Inc\Paint Shop Pro 9\Paint Shop Pro 9.exe /dde

ProgramID: PaintShopProStudio1.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Jasc Software Inc\Paint Shop Pro Studio\Paint Shop Pro Studio.exe /dde

ProgramID: XnView.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\XnView\xnview.exe %1

ProgramID: ACDSee 7.0.pef
EXEFile: %SystemRoot%\Program Files\ACD Systems\ACDSee\7.0\ACDSee7.exe %1

ProgramID: ACDSee 8.0.pef
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ACD Systems\ACDSee\8.0\ACDSee8.exe %1

ProgramID: FastStone.pef
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\FastStone Image Viewer\FSViewer.exe %1

ProgramID: PaintShopProX.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Corel\Corel Paint Shop Pro X\Paint Shop Pro X.exe

ProgramID: MediaCenter.11.File
EXEFile: %SystemRoot%\system32\MC11.exe /Play

ProgramID: ACDSee Pro.pef
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ACD Systems\ACDSee\8.0.Pro\ACDSee8Pro.exe

ProgramID: FastStoneMV.pef
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\FastStone MaxView\MaxView.exe

ProgramID: PaintShopProPhotoXI.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Corel\Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo XI\Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo.exe

ProgramID: SnapfireI.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Corel\Corel Snapfire Plus\Corel Snapfire.exe

ProgramID: MediaCenter.11.File
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\K-Lite Codec Pack\Media Player Classic\mplayerc.exe

ProgramID: peffile
EXEFile: %SystemRoot%\system32\rundll32.exe %ProgramFiles%\Windows Live\Photo Gallery\WLXPhotoViewer.dll,LaunchPhotoViewer /v

ProgramID: Photoshop.CameraRawFilePentax.10
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\PhootoshopCS\Adobe Photoshop CS3\Photoshop.exe

ProgramID: ACDSee.pef
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ACD Systems\ACDSee\5.0\ACDSee5.exe

ProgramID: MyViewPad.pef
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\My ViewPad\MyViewPad.exe

ProgramID: FastStone.pef
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\FastStone\FSIV\FSViewer.exe

ProgramID: Pentax PEF Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ArcSoft\RAW Thumbnail Viewer\RAW Thumbnail Viewer.exe

Show all 20 listings To Top

a pef raw image is a special file format by Pentax and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with PEF files

Associate the PEF file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open raw images. Because only the current version supports the latest PEF file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the Pentax manufacturer website after an available Pentax Codec update.
To make sure that your PEF file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
Click here to open your .PEF file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.