How do I convert PEF to PNG?

Upload your PEF file above. It is converted to PNG automatically (change the output format or quality in the Settings tab if you need to), then click Download. There is nothing to install.

Does converting PEF to PNG lose quality?

No. Both formats are lossless, so every pixel is kept exactly.

PEF or PNG: which should I use?

Use PEF for adjusting exposure and white balance with maximum latitude. Use PNG for screenshots, logos, text graphics and cut-outs. Keep in mind the main drawback of PNG: large files for photographs.

PEF is the RAW format of Pentax DSLRs. It stores the unprocessed sensor data for maximum editing latitude, so most apps can’t show it as a normal picture.

Can I convert PEF to PNG without Photoshop or Lightroom?

Yes. The PEF file is opened on our servers, so you don’t need Photoshop or Lightroom or any other software installed. Upload the file, then download the finished PNG.

Is the PEF to PNG converter free?

Yes. Convert, preview and download a single result without creating an account. Premium adds batch conversion (many files into one ZIP) and larger uploads.

Convert PEF to PNG — Free Online PEF Converter

Convert PEF to PNG online at full resolution. Open camera RAW files without Photoshop or Lightroom; preview one free or batch-convert with Premium.

Drop your PEF file or click to browse

Why convert PEF to PNG?

PNG is supported far more widely than PEF, so the file is easier to open, share and upload.
PNG is made for screenshots, logos, text graphics and cut-outs.
No Photoshop or Lightroom needed: the file is opened on our servers and you download a ready-to-use PNG.

What to expect when converting PEF to PNG

The RAW file is developed at full resolution with your camera’s white balance. Keep the original PEF to re-edit exposure later.
Your original PEF file isn’t changed: you download a new PNG copy.

PEF vs PNG

Feature	PEF	PNG
Full name	Pentax camera RAW	Portable Network Graphics
Origin	Written by Pentax cameras	Published as a W3C standard in 1996
Compression	Unprocessed sensor data	Lossless
Transparency	No	Yes — smooth, partial transparency
Animation	No	No
Colour	12 to 16 bits per channel from the sensor	Up to 16 bits per channel
Where it opens	RAW editors such as Lightroom; not browsers or most apps	All browsers, phones, computers and image editors
Best for	adjusting exposure and white balance with maximum latitude	screenshots, logos, text graphics and cut-outs
Main drawback	very large files that most apps can’t open	large files for photographs

In short: choose PEF for adjusting exposure and white balance with maximum latitude; choose PNG for screenshots, logos, text graphics and cut-outs.

PEF to PNG: full-resolution working copies of Pentax photos

A PNG made from a PEF is a lossless working copy: no quality slider, no compression artifacts, and the full resolution the converter develops from the sensor. That makes it a better choice than JPG when another program will do the real editing and you want to save repeatedly without wearing the picture down.

If you only need quick adjustments, the photo editor can open a PEF directly, but it works on a copy reduced to at most 4,096 pixels on the long side. Converting to PNG here keeps every pixel, so you can retouch at full size elsewhere or crop deep into the frame later.

The PNG is developed with the recorded white balance and automatic brightness, at 8 bits per channel, and ignores Custom Image looks. A long night exposure, such as a star field shot with Astrotracer, can come out brighter than intended, so keep the PEF to develop it again in a RAW editor. When the edit is finished, save the final version as a smaller JPG or convert it to WebP for a website.

Frequently asked questions

How do I convert PEF to PNG?: Upload your PEF file above. It is converted to PNG automatically (change the output format or quality in the Settings tab if you need to), then click Download. There is nothing to install.
Does converting PEF to PNG lose quality?: No. Both formats are lossless, so every pixel is kept exactly.
PEF or PNG: which should I use?: Use PEF for adjusting exposure and white balance with maximum latitude. Use PNG for screenshots, logos, text graphics and cut-outs. Keep in mind the main drawback of PNG: large files for photographs.
What is a PEF file?: PEF is the RAW format of Pentax DSLRs. It stores the unprocessed sensor data for maximum editing latitude, so most apps can’t show it as a normal picture.
Can I convert PEF to PNG without Photoshop or Lightroom?: Yes. The PEF file is opened on our servers, so you don’t need Photoshop or Lightroom or any other software installed. Upload the file, then download the finished PNG.
Is the PEF to PNG converter free?: Yes. Convert, preview and download a single result without creating an account. Premium adds batch conversion (many files into one ZIP) and larger uploads.

What you can do with PEF to PNG

Review the main capabilities before you begin.

Convert Pentax PEF raw photos to PNG
Turn raw sensor files into standard PNGs
Preserve fine detail with lossless PNG
Batch-convert many PEF files at once
Edit and share converted PEF photos in supported apps

Use this tool

Settings reference

Available controls for PEF to PNG.

Settings

Output formatDropdown: Chooses the file type you download. The page opens on its own output format; switch to any other format before converting.Options: JPGPNGWebPAVIFGIFTIFFBMPICOPDF
QualitySliderRange: 20–100 · Default: 90: For JPG, WebP, AVIF and image-to-PDF output: higher keeps more detail but makes a bigger file; 60–80 suits most photos. Documents (Publisher, XPS, EPS…) become PDFs with every page and sharp text, with no quality setting.
Lossless modeOn / Off: For WebP and AVIF output: keeps every pixel exactly (best for logos, graphics and transparency) at the cost of a larger file.
Background fillColor picker: For JPG, BMP and image-to-PDF output, which can’t store transparency: the colour that fills transparent areas (white by default).