PEF to PNG Converter
Convert PEF to PNG in your browser. The embedded JPEG is converted, with the Custom Image settings (Bright, Natural, Monochrome and so on) that were active in camera. No raw development happens here. You get a lossless 8-bit PNG with full alpha. Nothing is uploaded.
- Processed locally
- No upload, no wait
- No sign-up
- No watermark
Drop images here
or choose files · paste with Ctrl/⌘ V
RAW expected · other image formats also work
How to use PEF to PNG
- 1
Add your PEF files: drop them here, choose them, or paste from the clipboard.
- 2
There is nothing to tune: the PNG is written losslessly. Resizing and rotating are under More options if you need them.
- 3
Click Convert. Each file is decoded and encoded in a background thread on this device.
- 4
Download the .png files one at a time or together as a ZIP.
Why use Aback Images for pef to png
Where the PNG goes next
PNG opens in every browser, operating system and image editor.
PNG next to PEF
The PNG holds the camera preview's pixels with lossless compression: usually smaller than a 20 to 50 MB raw file, though far larger than a JPEG of the same photo.
No new artefacts
The preview inside the PEF is a camera JPEG; the PNG stores its decoded pixels losslessly, so this step adds no compression damage of its own.
Processed on your device
Your images are decoded, edited and encoded inside this browser tab by Web Workers. Nothing is uploaded to a server.
PEF vs PNG
What changes from PEF to PNG
Encoding: the PEF uses Pentax-compressed or uncompressed sensor data with a JPEG preview; PNG uses lossless DEFLATE with a prediction filter chosen per row, and the download is a lossless 8-bit PNG with full alpha.
Bit depth: 12 or 14 bits per channel in the PEF; PNG allows 1, 2, 4, 8 or 16 bits per channel, and the PNG written here has 8 bits per channel. The sensor's 12 or 14 bits are not used: the 8-bit camera preview is converted.
Colour: camera RGB from a Bayer mosaic in the PEF; PNG supports RGB, greyscale, or an indexed palette of up to 256 colours, written here as 8-bit sRGB.
Metadata: the PEF can carry EXIF and Pentax maker notes with an embedded JPEG; PNG can carry text chunks, an ICC profile, physical resolution and EXIF in an eXIf chunk, but nothing is copied across.
About PEF
PEF is the raw format of Pentax DSLRs and Pentax-branded cameras from Ricoh Imaging. Pentax bodies can also record DNG instead, which many owners prefer for compatibility.
PEF is TIFF-based, with the sensor data and a JPEG preview referenced from its image directories and Pentax's maker notes. Pentax K-series bodies let you choose PEF or DNG for raw capture; both carry the same sensor data and an embedded preview.
PEF files usually come from Pentax K-series DSLRs and 645 medium-format cameras.
About PNG
PNG stores pixels losslessly with full alpha transparency. It is ideal for screenshots, logos, UI and anything with sharp edges, but photos saved as PNG are several times larger than JPEG.
A PNG opens with an 8-byte signature and is a chain of chunks, each with its own CRC: IHDR (size, depth, colour type), optional PLTE and tRNS for palettes, one or more IDAT chunks with the compressed rows, and IEND.
When converting PEF to PNG makes sense
PNG is the better choice for screenshots, logos, graphics and anything that needs transparency, while PEF suits editing Pentax photos in a raw developer.
PNG strengths: Lossless: no quality loss, ever; Full transparency with smooth edges; Perfect for text, screenshots and graphics. Drawbacks to weigh: Large files for photographs; No standard animation (that is APNG).
Limitations
- A PEF and a DNG from the same Pentax body convert the same way, through the embedded preview.
- A PNG of a photograph is often several times larger than a JPG; PNG pays off for screenshots, graphics and anything with transparency.
- The PNG is written in full colour; Compress PNG can shrink it further with a palette.
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Frequently asked questions
Does converting PEF to PNG lose quality?
PNG is written losslessly, so the pixels are stored exactly as decoded. Those pixels come from the camera's JPEG preview, so its compression stays, but nothing new is lost. The sensor's 12 or 14 bits are not used: the 8-bit camera preview is converted.
Which apps open PNG files?
Every browser, operating system and image editor.
Are my images uploaded anywhere?
No. Processing happens inside your browser with WebAssembly and Web Workers. The site only downloads the app code and codecs; your files never leave your device. You can confirm this with the live upload counter on the tool, or in your browser's network panel.
Can I process many files at once?
Yes. Drop a whole selection or folder. Files are processed in parallel on several worker threads, each result can be downloaded on its own, and everything can be saved as one ZIP.
Is it free? Is there a file limit or watermark?
It is free with no account, no watermark and no daily limit. The only limit is your device's memory: very large images (over roughly 100 megapixels) may be refused to keep the tab from crashing.