THE FILE FIELD GUIDE

.pef

PENTAX RAW Image

Images

PEF is PENTAX RAW. Support depends on camera model and processor version; an embedded JPEG preview does not prove full RAW decoding.

Main use: Develop PENTAX camera RAW captures
Data type: Binary data

All sections, questions and sources

Content reviewed：2026-10-19 · Editor：Kai

Opening steps

Choose your environment or purpose to see its steps.

Camera Raw or another model-compatible RAW processor

Preserve the original and inspect a working copy in a compatible application.

Match the camera model against the support list.
Import a PEF copy into a compatible processor.
Check white balance/exposure and export a separate image.

Inspect the received file and its requirements

Establish dependencies and settings before proceeding.

Check exact camera model and required version.
Identify the camera’s PEF/DNG/JPEG capture choice.
Retain processing settings and sidecars.

Menu labels and support vary by app, OS and version. Preserve the original before making changes.

Troubleshooting by symptom

Cannot open: check model/version support.
Preview only: inspect full RAW processing support.
Color differs: compare profiles and processing settings.
Renamed JPEG fails: export through RAW processing.

PEF → JPEG / TIFF / supported DNG

Choose JPEG for viewing, TIFF for editing or supported DNG conversion.
Reopen the output and check it against the preservation points in this guide before handoff.

JPEG/TIFF hold processed results rather than all RAW adjustment latitude.

Check in-camera development by model

Some cameras offer in-camera RAW development; follow the model manual separately from PC troubleshooting.

Source for these steps：Ricoh Imaging · PENTAX KF FAQ / Adobe · Cameras supported by Camera Raw / Adobe · Adobe Digital Negative Converter

Worked example: checks before handoff

Example: export an sRGB JPEG, inspect focus/highlights and retain PEF.

Source for these steps：Ricoh Imaging · PENTAX KF FAQ / Adobe · Cameras supported by Camera Raw / Adobe · Adobe Digital Negative Converter

Related-format differences

Related-format differences
Format / method	Purpose and preserved information
.pef	Develop PENTAX camera RAW captures
DNG / JPEG	RAW interchange family / processed image.
PEF → JPEG / TIFF / supported DNG	JPEG/TIFF hold processed results rather than all RAW adjustment latitude.

Handling and security

Inspect location, people and camera metadata before sharing.

Questions and answers

Identical to DNG?

They are separate RAW format choices.

Does a visible preview prove RAW support?

Only the embedded preview may be supported.

Replace the original with JPEG?

Retain PEF if future RAW processing matters.

Format facts: name, steward and MIME type

Formal name: PENTAX RAW Image
Steward / specification: Ricoh Imaging
MIME type: Consult the producer or delivery system. The extension alone does not establish a MIME type.

Primary and official sources

Software documentationPENTAX KF FAQ
PEF/DNG and in-camera RAW development.
Ricoh Imaging · Link checked：2026-10-16
Software documentationCameras supported by Camera Raw
RAW support by camera model and required version.
Adobe · Link checked：2026-10-16
Software documentationAdobe Digital Negative Converter
Converting supported RAW files to separate DNG copies.
Adobe · Link checked：2026-10-16