RAW-- PEF vs DNG... difference?

CEWren · 07-23-2011, 02:10 PM

Hi! Reading up on the manual and page 60 mentions PEF and DNG both being RAW files, but DNG being designed by adobe systems. No other info is offered though. I havent ever used DNG being that I have a kx now (k-5 on the way, yay). What are the advantages of DNG in adobe? I have CS5. THanks!

Rupert · 07-23-2011, 02:17 PM

DNG works in Adobe systems where sometimes PEF doesn't. Otherwise, I have not found any differences in processing? Haven't heard much on this lately, but I think there is little or no real difference. DNG is supposed to be a universal Raw as I understand it?
Someone else may want to elaborate....
Regards!

SpecialK · 07-23-2011, 02:21 PM

Recent post...

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-5-forum/146235-dng-vs-pentax-raw-format.html

DNG stores the adjustments in the same file, PEFs use a small separate file for that information.

CEWren · 07-23-2011, 02:25 PM

ahh, ok, so do most use PEF or DNG.... or maybe I should just read the link before I ask, he he. THanks! Be prepaired for a few more questions from me as I wait for my new baby.. I mean, camera. LOL. thanks!

CEWren · 07-23-2011, 02:40 PM

yes, the link clears that up. thanks again

Smeggypants · 07-23-2011, 03:50 PM

Originally posted by SpecialK

Recent post...

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-5-forum/146235-dng-vs-pentax-raw-format.html

DNG stores the adjustments in the same file, PEFs use a small separate file for that information.

I use PEF now as they are smaller files than DNG out of the K-5. I've never seen or used a sidecar file with PEFs

Bythorn · 07-23-2011, 04:59 PM

I shoot in PEF. I copy the PEF files to a backup folder on my backup hard drive, then use Adobe Bridge to convert the PEF to DNG, which is the file I process in Adobe Camera Raw. That way, I have both versions available on two different hard drives.

George Lama · 07-23-2011, 07:52 PM

I've used PEFs since I purchased the K10, briefly tried DNG, then went back to PEFs - I think mostly due to file size or something about the image itself I didn't like - can't quite remember now.

Recently though, when I couldn't get the K5 PEF files to show in CS4 Bridge, I decided to reconsider DNG.

Smeggypants, if file size is the only consideration, you might want to take a closer look at converting from PEF to DNG out of camera. After today's wedding event, I converted all images to DNG using Adobe's free DNG Converter. I was surprised when the DNG folder showed a 2+ gig reduction in folder size overall (converted PEFs were 1-2 Meg smaller each).

SpecialK · 07-23-2011, 10:03 PM

Originally posted by Smeggypants

I use PEF now as they are smaller files than DNG out of the K-5. I've never seen or used a sidecar file with PEFs

With Elements, a 7K-size .xmp file is created when you convert a PEF to a jpg. It holds the adjustments made in the conversion (WB, tint, contrast, brightness, etc), but not things such as rotation, dust spotting, cloning, etc.

rvannatta · 07-23-2011, 10:34 PM

I have used exclusively DNG files. Many versions ago, I couldn't get my photoshop editor of choice (Photoshop Elements) to work with the PEF format. File size used to be a concern
but monster HD on the computer, unlimited backup space with my Carbonite online backup service, very large SDHC cards available, and support for even larger SDXC cards the compression ratio of the RAW image is not my priority.

MOre to the point is which file format do I think will still be supported and accessible 20years from now.....?

I see the PEF format as a Pentax proprietary format that will disappear if Pentax does, while
I see the DNG format as a raw format with open standards, but promoted by ADOBE.
AS between the two, I have bet that the DNG format will remain usable and accessable longer that the private Pentax format.

I drew this conclusion from the top of page 203 of the Pentax K5 manual. If I'm wrong I'd sure like to know it. To me the really big issue with computer technology is is keeping the stuff around and accessible. I've been using computers for 30 years now and about the 15 years of materials I collected are now lost to me because evolving computer technology made it inaccessible.

If any of our photos are going to be enjoyed by our grandchildren, we need to be very thoughtful about the formats and storage methods of our images.

07-23-2011, 02:10 PM	#1
CEWren Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 258	RAW-- PEF vs DNG... difference? Hi! Reading up on the manual and page 60 mentions PEF and DNG both being RAW files, but DNG being designed by adobe systems. No other info is offered though. I havent ever used DNG being that I have a kx now (k-5 on the way, yay). What are the advantages of DNG in adobe? I have CS5. THanks!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Difference between DNG and PEF?	ismaelg	Pentax DSLR Discussion	15	06-06-2011 01:16 PM
UFRAW and K5 raw files (DNG and PEF)	sterretje	Pentax K-5 & K-5 II	3	11-23-2010 11:39 PM
RAW shooting, PEF or DNG?	Gian	Pentax DSLR Discussion	27	09-16-2009 09:04 PM
Difference between PEF and DNG formats	john_mantz	Pentax DSLR Discussion	6	09-25-2007 11:24 AM
RAW - PEF vs DNG???	rprii	Pentax DSLR Discussion	7	12-11-2006 08:51 PM

07-23-2011, 02:17 PM	#2
Rupert Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 25,123	DNG works in Adobe systems where sometimes PEF doesn't. Otherwise, I have not found any differences in processing? Haven't heard much on this lately, but I think there is little or no real difference. DNG is supposed to be a universal Raw as I understand it? Someone else may want to elaborate.... Regards!

07-23-2011, 02:21 PM	#3
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,482	Recent post... https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-5-forum/146235-dng-vs-pentax-raw-format.html DNG stores the adjustments in the same file, PEFs use a small separate file for that information.

07-23-2011, 02:25 PM	#4
CEWren Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 258 Original Poster	ahh, ok, so do most use PEF or DNG.... or maybe I should just read the link before I ask, he he. THanks! Be prepaired for a few more questions from me as I wait for my new baby.. I mean, camera. LOL. thanks!

07-23-2011, 02:40 PM	#5
CEWren Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 258 Original Poster	yes, the link clears that up. thanks again

07-23-2011, 03:50 PM	#6
Smeggypants Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,536	Originally posted by SpecialK Recent post... https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-5-forum/146235-dng-vs-pentax-raw-format.html DNG stores the adjustments in the same file, PEFs use a small separate file for that information. I use PEF now as they are smaller files than DNG out of the K-5. I've never seen or used a sidecar file with PEFs

07-23-2011, 04:59 PM	#7
Bythorn Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Parker, Colorado Photos: Gallery Posts: 28	I shoot in PEF. I copy the PEF files to a backup folder on my backup hard drive, then use Adobe Bridge to convert the PEF to DNG, which is the file I process in Adobe Camera Raw. That way, I have both versions available on two different hard drives.

07-23-2011, 07:52 PM	#8
George Lama Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Buffalo/Rochester, NY Photos: Albums Posts: 1,133	I've used PEFs since I purchased the K10, briefly tried DNG, then went back to PEFs - I think mostly due to file size or something about the image itself I didn't like - can't quite remember now. Recently though, when I couldn't get the K5 PEF files to show in CS4 Bridge, I decided to reconsider DNG. Smeggypants, if file size is the only consideration, you might want to take a closer look at converting from PEF to DNG out of camera. After today's wedding event, I converted all images to DNG using Adobe's free DNG Converter. I was surprised when the DNG folder showed a 2+ gig reduction in folder size overall (converted PEFs were 1-2 Meg smaller each).

07-23-2011, 10:03 PM	#9
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,482	Originally posted by Smeggypants I use PEF now as they are smaller files than DNG out of the K-5. I've never seen or used a sidecar file with PEFs With Elements, a 7K-size .xmp file is created when you convert a PEF to a jpg. It holds the adjustments made in the conversion (WB, tint, contrast, brightness, etc), but not things such as rotation, dust spotting, cloning, etc.

07-23-2011, 10:34 PM	#10
rvannatta Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Apiary, Oregon Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,181	I have used exclusively DNG files. Many versions ago, I couldn't get my photoshop editor of choice (Photoshop Elements) to work with the PEF format. File size used to be a concern but monster HD on the computer, unlimited backup space with my Carbonite online backup service, very large SDHC cards available, and support for even larger SDXC cards the compression ratio of the RAW image is not my priority. MOre to the point is which file format do I think will still be supported and accessible 20years from now.....? I see the PEF format as a Pentax proprietary format that will disappear if Pentax does, while I see the DNG format as a raw format with open standards, but promoted by ADOBE. AS between the two, I have bet that the DNG format will remain usable and accessable longer that the private Pentax format. I drew this conclusion from the top of page 203 of the Pentax K5 manual. If I'm wrong I'd sure like to know it. To me the really big issue with computer technology is is keeping the stuff around and accessible. I've been using computers for 30 years now and about the 15 years of materials I collected are now lost to me because evolving computer technology made it inaccessible. If any of our photos are going to be enjoyed by our grandchildren, we need to be very thoughtful about the formats and storage methods of our images.