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What is PCD?

Kodak Photo CD (PCD) is a high-resolution image format for storing scanned photos on CD, supporting multiple resolutions from thumbnail to 3072x2048.

What is PEF?

Pentax Electronic Format (PEF) contains raw sensor data from Pentax digital SLR and mirrorless cameras.

When Should You Use PCD vs PEF?

Use PCD When...

Reach for PCD when your priority is photo cd scanning, legacy photo archiving — its efficient compression makes sharing fast and storage minimal.

Use PEF When...

Reach for PEF when your priority is pentax camera post-processing — its uncompromising quality ensures every detail is preserved.

PCD vs PEF: Key Differences

  • •The core technical difference: PCD relies on lossy compression whereas PEF uses lossless compression.
  • •The switch from lossy compression to lossless compression means you preserve full quality at the expense of larger file sizes.
  • •Alpha channel support: PEF lacks transparency support.
  • •Storage footprint: 4-6MB per image at base resolution for PCD vs 15-45MB per photo for PEF.
  • •Primary audience: PCD is built for photo cd scanning, legacy photo archiving scenarios, while PEF focuses on pentax camera post-processing — pick the format that matches your output requirement.

Advantages of PCD

  • ✓PCD applies lossy compression specifically calibrated for Photo CD scanning, legacy photo archiving.
  • ✓PCD enjoys broad native support across operating systems, browsers, and creative tools alike.
  • ✓PCD delivers impressive compression ratios, shrinking files dramatically while keeping visual quality high.
  • ✓You will find PCD support built into virtually every tool that handles Photo CD scanning, legacy photo archiving — no plugins or converters needed.

Advantages of PEF

  • ✓PEF uses lossless compression tailored for Pentax camera post-processing.
  • ✓PEF is supported natively on virtually every device, browser, and operating system.
  • ✓PEF files are bit-for-bit perfect, preserving every pixel and sample for professional work.
  • ✓PEF integrates seamlessly with all major creative tools and workflows.

Common Use Cases for PCD to PEF Conversion

  • Digital art portfolios
  • Brochure and flyer design
  • Newsletter graphics
  • Video thumbnail creation
  • Certificate and badge design
  • Websites and online content

Industry Applications

Medical ImagingReal Estate PhotographyGame DevelopmentScientific VisualizationE-learning ContentWeb Development

Best Practices for PCD to PEF Conversion

  • →When converting PCD to PEF, check whether PEF supports transparency — if not, your transparent areas will be filled with a solid color
  • →Use PEF for maximum quality archival and PCD for smaller file sizes when quality is less critical
  • →Optimize images for web to reduce page load times — tools like our converter let you adjust quality settings before conversion
  • →Maintain original aspect ratio to avoid distortion during conversion
  • →Always keep a backup of your original files before converting
  • →Choose the appropriate quality settings for your specific use case

Related Article

JPG vs PNG vs WebP: Which Image Format Should You Use?

Learn more about PCD and PEF formats in our detailed guide.

Troubleshooting PCD to PEF Conversion

  • !PEF shows visible compression artifacts → lower the compression level or switch to a lossless variant
  • !The converted PEF image looks washed out → the source PCD likely uses a wider color space than PEF supports
  • !PEF file is much larger than expected → check if the conversion preserved an unnecessarily high resolution
  • !Text in the converted PEF looks fuzzy → text-heavy images benefit from higher quality settings or a different output format

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Convert PCD to PEF Online - Free & Fast

Convert PCD files to PEF online for free. High-quality conversion with no registration required.

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About PCD and PEF

PCD

PCD (PCD photos) - Kodak Photo CD, high-resolution photo scanning format. Best for photo cd scanning, legacy photo archiving.

PEF

PEF (Pentax PEF raw) - Pentax Electronic Format, raw format for Pentax cameras. Ideal for pentax camera post-processing.

Format Comparison

CompressionLossy → Lossless
TransparencySupported
Use CaseConvert from photo cd scanning, legacy photo archiving to pentax camera post-processing
File Size~15-45MB per photo after conversion

FAQs

Is converting PCD to PEF free?

Yes, GoConvertFile offers free conversion of PCD to PEF for files up to 100MB. No registration required.

How long does it take to convert PCD to PEF?

Most PCD to PEF conversions complete within seconds for standard-sized files. Larger files may take longer depending on the conversion complexity.

What is PEF best used for?

PEF is ideal for pentax camera post-processing. Pentax Electronic Format, raw format for Pentax cameras

Does converting PCD to PEF lose quality?

No, converting PCD to PEF does not cause additional quality loss — PEF uses lossless compression. However, any artifacts already present in the original PCD file will persist in the PEF output.

What file size should I expect after converting PCD to PEF?

PEF files are typically 2-5x larger than equivalent PCD files because PEF preserves all pixel data. This is expected and necessary for lossless quality.

Will transparency be preserved when converting PCD to PEF?

Yes, PEF supports transparency. Alpha channel information from PCD is preserved during conversion.

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