How to convert PEF to JPEG
- Add your .PEF file - drop it in the box above or click to browse.
- Convert it to .JPEG in a few seconds.
- Download your new .JPEG file.
What to expect
- Raw sensor data is demosaiced and flattened to an 8-bit lossy JPEG, so editing latitude and dynamic range are permanently reduced.
- JPEG re-saving is lossy, so each later re-save of the result loses a little more quality.
- Exif metadata such as camera settings, and potentially GPS, may carry into the JPEG.
Frequently asked questions
What quality do I get converting PEF to JPEG?
The raw Pentax sensor data is rendered and then compressed with JPEG's lossy DCT compression, producing a standard 8-bit photo. It looks like a finished image, but it holds far less tonal headroom than the original raw.
Why convert a PEF to JPEG?
PEF is a proprietary Pentax raw format that most apps and devices cannot open, while JPEG opens everywhere with no extra software. Converting turns unprocessed sensor data into a ready-to-share, universally viewable photo.
Where does the JPEG open?
Every operating system opens JPEG without extra software, including Windows Photos, macOS Preview and any web browser. It is the most broadly compatible image format.
What is lost going from PEF to JPEG?
The raw file's wide dynamic range and non-destructive editing latitude are baked in, and JPEG's 8-bit lossy compression discards data permanently. Recovering highlights or heavily adjusting exposure after conversion is much harder than from the PEF.
Programs that convert PEF: Adobe Photoshop · HDR Darkroom · BatchPhoto · PhotoFiltre Studio · Adobe Photoshop for Mac · darktable
