PEF File: What It Is and How to Open?

I know the feeling when your computer can't open a file. That usually happens with a PEF file format. It looks strange, and you're left wondering if it's safe or how to even open it.

But don't worry! That's why I wrote this guide. I'll explain what a PEF file is and the easiest ways to open it. I'll also point you to a few tools that make the job simple.

By the end, you'll know exactly how to deal with PEF files without any confusion.

Part 1. What Is a PEF File?

PEF stands for Pentax Electronic File, a Pentax RAW photo format. It stores sensor data with minimal processing from the camera. It is basically a digital film, ready for careful developing later. This gives you more control over color, detail, and exposure.

Under the hood, PEF uses a TIFF-based container with directories. The file records a Bayer pattern mosaic, not a finished image. Bit depth is typically 12 or 14 bits per pixel channel. Lossless compression may be used, saving space without losing data. PEF stores EXIF and MakerNotes with lens, focus, and settings. A small embedded JPEG preview may be included for quick viewing. The MIME type used in tools is image slash x pentax pef.

Also Read: MPO File: Everything You Need to Know

Part 2. How to Open PEF Files?

So, now that you pretty much know about the PEF file format, it's time to move forward and discuss how to open it. As mentioned earlier, it's a RAW file. This means you won't be able to open it using every software. You may need specific software to open a PEF file.

The good news? You don't need to spend money just to view it. If you want a free option, you can use UPDF for Mac. It's simple, quick, and will soon support PEF files directly on Mac. You just need to download UPDF using the button below or install it from the App Store. Once it's installed, you'll be ready to handle PEF files on your Mac.

To open a PEF file on Mac, simply open UPDF, then drag and drop your PEF file into UPDF. It will be automatically opened here in the PDF format. You can edit, annotate, or whatever you want.

(Note: For now, UPDF supports PEF files on Mac only, but it will support them on Windows very soon.)

Part 3. How to Convert PEF to PDF?

If you need to convert a PEF file to a PDF, no problem. You can easily do this with UPDF, for a single file or multiple files at once. UPDF has you covered. It's a quick way to turn your raw PEF file format into shareable PDFs without any hassle.

Here is how you can do that:

For Single PEF File Conversion:

Step 1. Click tools, Select other under Create PDF section.  

Step 2. Drag and drop PEF file or click on the “Select File” to import the PEF file.  Click okay to open file

Step 3. Click Save button to safe file as pdf.

For Multiple PEF Files Conversion:

Step 1. You can click on the “Tools” > “Create” in the “Batch PDFs” section.

Step 2. Click on the “+ Add Files” to import all the PEF files into the UPDF, then, select the create mode, customize the page size and orientation. Click Apply to convert all PEF files into PDFs.  

Part 4. How to Convert PEF to PNG/JPG…?

Sometimes, you may want to open this PEF file where you can't access UPDF. Or you may want to share it with someone who just doesn't have the PEF file viewer, don't worry! We have a solution for that as well.

You can convert this PEF file into more common formats, such as PNG or JPG. There is no need to open third-party sites. You can do this conversion right in UPDF.

Here is how you can do that: Click the “Tools” and select “Convert”, add the PEF files to UPDF by clicking on the “+Add Files”, select the output format as image, choose image format as png or jpg or any, then, click on the “Apply” to convert PEF files to PNG/JPG.

Apart from the features for PEF file, UPDF has many other features. Some of them are here.

Key Features of UPDF

• View and Annotate: Open and read PDFs with ease. Add comments, highlights, or drawings to mark important sections.
• Edit PDFs: Make changes to text and pictures right in the PDF. This means you do not have to use extra editing software.
• Convert Files: Quickly turn PDFs into other file types. You can convert them to Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, and more.
• Organize Pages: Rearrange, delete, or merge pages. Make your PDFs just right for your needs.
• Secure PDFs: Add a password to your PDFs. This keeps your private information safe and secure.
• Fill and Sign: You can easily complete forms and sign documents. You will never need to print anything out first.
• OCR: You can turn scanned images and pictures into editable text.
• UPDF AI: The UPDF AI can chat with your PDF for you. It can also summarize, explain, or translate the content.

Want to see more? Watch the video below to learn how UPDF can help you, or read this review article for a deeper dive into its features.

FAQs About PEF File

Final Words

Now, you know everything about PEF file here. If you want to open and view PEF file, you can use UPDF for Mac. And for those who want to open the PEF file on any device can use UPDF to convert it to PDF or PNG or JPG. Just download UPDF via the button below to test it.