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PEF to RTF Converter

Turn PEF photos into RTF documents — quick and free

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Cross-Platform

The converter runs in any modern web browser. Use it on your desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone — no platform restrictions.

Your Files, Protected

Your data stays protected — PEF files are erased as soon as conversion finishes, and any RTF output is permanently removed within 24 hours.

Batch Processing

Need to convert a stack of PEF images? Upload them all at once and Convertio will produce individual RTF files for each — all in one session.

How to convert PEF to RTF

1

Select files from Computer, Google Drive, Dropbox, URL or by dragging it on the page.

2

Choose rtf or any other format you need as a result (more than 200 formats supported)

3

Let the file convert and you can download your rtf file right afterwards

About formats

PEF (Pentax Electronic Format) is the proprietary RAW image format used by Pentax digital SLR and mirrorless cameras, introduced in 2003 with the *ist D — Pentax's first digital SLR — and continuing through the current K-mount and medium-format 645 lineup. PEF files capture the unprocessed 12-bit or 14-bit readout from the camera's CMOS sensor in its native Bayer mosaic pattern, stored in a TIFF-based container with Huffman-coded lossless compression. The format includes embedded JPEG previews at multiple sizes, comprehensive EXIF metadata, and Pentax-specific MakerNote tags that record Custom Image mode settings, Shake Reduction (SR) gyroscope data, lens identification from the K-mount electronic interface, and the camera's Auto Level correction parameters. Pentax cameras are notable for their weather-sealed construction and compatibility with the vast legacy of K-mount lenses dating back to 1975, and PEF files from these bodies can include manual lens metadata entered through the camera's menu system. One advantage is the preservation of Pentax's distinctive color rendering — the brand's Custom Image modes (Bright, Natural, Reversal Film, Bleach Bypass, etc.) are stored as metadata rather than applied to the raw data, allowing photographers to explore different rendering interpretations during post-processing while the original sensor capture remains untouched. The format's longevity is another strength: PEF files from every Pentax DSLR are supported by Adobe Lightroom, Capture One, dcraw, RawTherapee, Pentax's own Digital Camera Utility, and other modern RAW processors.
Developer: Pentax
Initial release: 2003
RTF (Rich Text Format) is a document interchange format developed by Microsoft and first published in 1987 with Word 3.0. The format encodes document content and formatting as plain ASCII text using control words (backslash-prefixed commands) and groups (curly-brace-delimited sections) that describe fonts, character formatting, paragraph layout, tables, images, and page setup. Because RTF is fundamentally a text format with no binary components, documents pass cleanly through any text channel — email systems, clipboard operations, and cross-platform transfers — without corruption. Microsoft designed RTF explicitly as a cross-application and cross-platform exchange format, and it achieved broad adoption: virtually every word processor, text editor, and document tool on every operating system has supported RTF reading and writing for decades. One advantage is exceptional cross-platform compatibility — an RTF document created on any application renders with consistent formatting on any other, making it the most reliable format for text exchange between incompatible systems. The text-based structure provides another benefit: RTF files resist corruption, are trivially generated by programs (requiring only string concatenation), and can be debugged by reading the raw markup in a text editor. While RTF lacks modern features like tracked changes and advanced layout controls, and Microsoft declared the specification frozen at version 1.9.1 in 2008, the format persists as a dependable interchange option where DOCX compatibility cannot be assumed.
Developer: Microsoft
Initial release: 1987

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the benefit of converting PEF to RTF?

Transform your PEF images into RTF documents for easy distribution — recipients can view the converted photo without needing RAW-compatible image editors.

How do I open a RTF file?

RTF works with Microsoft Word, LibreOffice Writer, TextEdit, WordPad, and Google Docs.

How long are converted files stored?

Files are stored temporarily — your RTF result is available for 24 hours after conversion, then automatically deleted for security.

Is PEF to RTF conversion free?

Standard PEF to RTF conversions are free on Convertio. Premium plans unlock higher limits and faster queue priority for larger workloads.

How fast is the PEF to RTF conversion?

Conversion typically takes just a few seconds — PEF images are processed on powerful servers and the RTF output is ready almost immediately.