PEF File Extension

Programs that support PEF files

• Windows ¹⁷
• Mac OS ⁴
• Linux ²

Windows

• PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory
• FastPictureViewer Pro
• Microsoft Camera Codec Pack
• HDR Darkroom
• ACDSee Photo Manager
• Adobe Lightroom
• PaintShop Pro
• FastStone Image Viewer
• PENTAX PHOTO Browser
• Zoner Photo Studio
• XnView
• Adobe Photoshop
• BatchPhoto
• PhotoFiltre Studio
• Adobe DNG Converter
• Picture Information Extractor
• Adobe Photoshop Camera

Mac OS

• Adobe Photoshop
• PhotoScape X
• XnView
• Adobe Lightroom

Linux

• XnView
• darktable

How to open a PEF file?

If you can’t open a PEF file, it is usually because the necessary software is missing. To resolve the issue, select the right program from the list for your operating system. Then go to the official website of the developer, download the software, and install it.

PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory, FastPictureViewer Pro and Microsoft Camera Codec Pack stand out as the preferred programs to manage PEF files effectively. To get the latest version of PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory, open the Pentax website where a universal installer for all operating systems is available.

When you finish installing PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory, the system will automatically launch PEF files with it.

Set PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory to open PEF by default

Change default apps on Mac

1. Right-click or use Control + Left-click on the desired PEF file to access the file’s context menu;
2. Choose "Open in Application" and click "Other";
3. At the bottom of the window, you will see the "Enable" menu. It is already set to the default option, "Recommended Programs";
4. Within this menu, select "All Programs" and then search for PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory. Check the box next to "Always open in app" to make it the default program.

Set default programs for Windows

1. Take the first step by right-clicking on your PEF file. Next, select "Open With" and then choose "Choose another app" from the available options;
2. Find the PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory application in the pop-up window and select it as your preferred program;
3. Select the "Always use this application" check box and click "OK" to save your selection as the default application for opening PEF files.

Convert files to and from PEF

If a PEF file is difficult to handle, you might try converting it to formats such as JPG, JPEG, TIF, TIFF, NEF or similar, which may be easier to work with.

Be aware that converting a PEF file may reduce some features, but you can usually revert it to the original format.

Convert PEF to other file formats

• PEF to TIFF
• PEF to JPG
• PEF to NEF
• PEF to TIF
• PEF to DNG
• PEF to JPEG

Converting Files to PEF Format

• NEF to PEF
• SCR to PEF
• PDF to PEF
• RAF to PEF

Easy PEF Troubleshooting

When facing challenges with PEF files, simple adjustments in your software can often solve the problem. Find helpful troubleshooting guidance below.

How to edit a PEF file?

To make changes to PEF files, you need specialized software that allows both opening and editing the camera raw files. Online PEF editors offer fewer capabilities than applications optimized for Pentax Electronic Format.

Best PEF Editor Software in 2026

After analyzing the criteria, we have created a list of PEF editors available for use.