Convert Pentax PEF to JPG Online
Convert Pentax PEF to high-quality JPG. Supports K-3 III, K-1 II, and more.
Drop up to 50 PEF files at once — no install, no sign-up required.
Drop Pentax PEF Files Here
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How it works
- 1 · Drop your files
Drag & drop or choose Pentax PEF files. No account required on Free—paid plans unlock bigger batches, higher limits, and priority queues.
- 2 · We convert securely
Processed on our dedicated servers. Encrypted in transit & at rest. EXIF metadata stripped by default. We never store filenames—only file types & sizes for accounting.
- 3 · Download & auto-delete
Grab your JPGs in seconds. Files delete automatically after 1 hour. Delete anytime after downloading with one click.
About PEF
PEF (Pentax Electronic Format) is Pentax's proprietary RAW image format used by Pentax DSLRs and the newer Pentax mirrorless cameras. Based on TIFF structure, PEF stores unprocessed 14-bit sensor data, preserving maximum dynamic range and color information for post-production flexibility. PEF files include embedded JPEG previews and comprehensive EXIF metadata including Pentax's Shake Reduction stabilization data.
Learn more: Pentax RAW on Wikipedia
PEF is the standard RAW format for Pentax cameras including the K-3 III, K-3 III Monochrome, K-1 II, KF, and the medium format 645Z. Pentax cameras are renowned for exceptional weather sealing and compatibility with decades of K-mount lenses. For sharing or web publishing, conversion to JPEG is necessary since RAW formats require specialized software like Adobe Lightroom, Capture One, or Pentax's Digital Camera Utility.
JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) is the universal standard for photographic images, using lossy DCT-based compression to achieve 10:1 or higher compression ratios with minimal visible quality loss. First published in 1992, it supports 24-bit color and works across every device, browser, and application. The lossy nature means repeated editing and saving degrades quality—best used as a final delivery format.
Learn more: JPEG on Wikipedia
JPEG excels at photographic content and remains the de facto standard for sharing, publishing, and web delivery. With mature encoders like MozJPEG delivering excellent quality-to-size ratios, JPEG continues to dominate despite newer alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a PEF file?
PEF (Pentax Electronic Format) is Pentax's proprietary RAW image format, used since the *ist D in 2003. PEF files store 12-14 bit unprocessed sensor data with lossless compression.
Pentax cameras can also save RAW files as DNG (Adobe's open format), but PEF remains the default RAW option. Since Ricoh acquired Pentax in 2011, the format has continued unchanged under Ricoh's ownership.
PEF files typically range from 25-50 MB depending on resolution and Pixel Shift Resolution mode.
Which Pentax cameras are supported?
All Pentax cameras producing PEF files are supported:
- Full-Frame K-mount: K-1 Mark II, K-1
- APS-C K-mount: K-3 III, K-3 III Monochrome, K-3 II, K-3, KP, K-70, K-S2, K-50
- 645 Medium Format: 645Z, 645D
- Legacy: K-5 IIs, K-5, K-7, K-x, K-m, *ist D series
Note: Ricoh GR series cameras use DNG format, not PEF. Use our DNG to JPG converter for GR files.
PEF vs DNG - which should I use?
Pentax cameras can save RAW files in either PEF or DNG format. Both are fully supported by this converter.
- PEF: Pentax's native format. Some photographers prefer it for potential proprietary metadata preservation.
- DNG: Adobe's open standard. Better for long-term archival since it's an open specification not tied to one manufacturer.
For conversion purposes, both formats produce identical JPG output quality.
Will I lose quality converting PEF to JPG?
Some data reduction occurs, but quality remains excellent. PEF files contain 12-14 bit RAW sensor data with full dynamic range. JPG is an 8-bit lossy format, so highlight/shadow recovery latitude is reduced.
Our converter uses:
- Quality 90 encoding (high quality, minimal artifacts)
- sRGB color space for universal compatibility
- Auto white balance with camera-embedded hints
- LibRaw for accurate Bayer demosaicing
For lossless output with full color depth, use our PEF to PNG converter.
What software can edit PEF files?
PEF files are supported by most professional photo editors:
- Digital Camera Utility 5 (free from Ricoh) — Pentax's native RAW editor
- Adobe Lightroom/Camera Raw — Full support via Adobe Camera Raw
- Capture One — Excellent color science for Pentax sensors
- DxO PhotoLab — Advanced noise reduction for high-ISO PEF
- Darktable (free, open-source) — Full PEF support
Converting to JPG is useful for sharing, web upload, or archiving processed images without requiring RAW-capable software.
What are the limits for this converter?
| Tier | Max File Size | Max Files/Batch | Parallel Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guest/Free | 100 MB | 50 files | 3 at once |
| Pro | 1024 MB | 1000 files | 6 at once |
Note: File size limits are specific to this converter. Batch and parallel processing limits apply to all images converters site-wide. See all converter limits →
How are credits calculated for this conversion?
Cost: 1 credit per 5 MB
How it works:
- Files up to 5 MB: 1 credit
- 6-10 MB: 2 credits
- 11-15 MB: 3 credits
- 16-20 MB: 4 credits
Example: A 5 MB photo = 1 credit. A 95 MB photo = 19 credits.
Why per-megabyte? Larger files require more resources (processing, bandwidth, storage).
What are my daily and monthly credit limits?
Credit allocations vary by account tier:
| Tier | Daily Limit | Monthly Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Guest | 100 credits/day | — |
| Free | 100 credits/day | — |
| Pro | — | 12,000 credits/month |
Daily credits (Guest & Free tiers) reset every day at midnight UTC. Monthly credits (Pro) reset on your billing cycle date.
Note: With 1 credit per 5 MB, PEF files under 5 MB cost 1 credit each. Pro users can convert 12,000 PEF files per month.
Answers at a Glance
Quick answers to common questions.
- Are my files secure?
- How long do you keep my files?
- What metadata do you keep?
- What happens after I drop a file?
- Why are conversions so fast?
- How do you measure performance?
- What are the exact limits for each plan?
- Can I process files in bulk?
- Why did my file fail to convert?
- Do you use my files to train AI?
What's New in PEF to JPG
Latest improvements to this converter
Added Resize, Smart Compression, and Metadata options.
Launch of Pentax PEF to JPG converter.
Need to get more done? Pro starts from $5.
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