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What is PEF?

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

What is ICO?

ICO (Icon) is a file format for computer icons in Microsoft Windows. ICO files contain one or more small images for application icons and favicons.

When Should You Use PEF vs ICO?

Use PEF When...

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

Use ICO When...

Reach for ICO when your priority is favicons, application icons, platform-specific assets — its uncompromising quality ensures every detail is preserved.

PEF vs ICO: Key Differences

  • •PEF uses lossless compression while ICO uses lossless compression — both take the same approach to file size management.
  • •Since both PEF and ICO use lossless compression, the quality characteristics are comparable — differences in file size come down to how efficiently each format implements compression.
  • •How transparency is handled: ICO supports transparency, so alpha information is preserved during conversion.
  • •PEF files are typically 15-45MB per photo while ICO files range 1-16KB
  • •PEF is optimized for pentax camera post-processing while ICO is designed for favicons, application icons, platform-specific assets — choose based on your specific workflow needs

Advantages of PEF

  • ✓PEF compresses data using lossless methods, keeping file sizes manageable for Pentax camera post-processing.
  • ✓Industry-wide support means PEF files open anywhere — from legacy systems to the latest devices.
  • ✓Lossless quality makes PEF the gold standard for archival and master copies.
  • ✓From professional software to open-source alternatives, PEF works out of the box.

Advantages of ICO

  • ✓ICO uses lossless compression tailored for Favicons, application icons, platform-specific assets.
  • ✓ICO is supported natively on virtually every device, browser, and operating system.
  • ✓ICO files are bit-for-bit perfect, preserving every pixel and sample for professional work.
  • ✓ICO integrates seamlessly with all major creative tools and workflows.

Common Use Cases for PEF to ICO Conversion

  • Presentation graphics
  • Blog and article illustrations
  • Mobile app UI assets
  • Product photography for marketplaces
  • Digital art portfolios
  • Brochure and flyer design

Industry Applications

UI/UX DesignAdvertisingBrand ManagementContent ManagementMedical ImagingReal Estate Photography

Best Practices for PEF to ICO Conversion

  • →When converting PEF to ICO, check whether ICO supports transparency — if not, your transparent areas will be filled with a solid color
  • →Use ICO for maximum quality archival and PEF for lossless workflows
  • →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 PEF and ICO formats in our detailed guide.

Troubleshooting PEF to ICO Conversion

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

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Convert PEF to ICO Online - Free & Fast

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

Image Converter

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.pef,.PEF (max 100MB)

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About PEF and ICO

PEF

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

ICO

ICO (ICO icons) - Icon - Windows favicon and application icon format. Ideal for favicons, application icons, platform-specific assets.

Format Comparison

CompressionLossless → Lossless
TransparencySupported
Use CaseConvert from pentax camera post-processing to favicons, application icons, platform-specific assets
File Size~1-16KB after conversion

FAQs

Is converting PEF to ICO free?

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

How long does it take to convert PEF to ICO?

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

What is ICO best used for?

ICO is ideal for favicons, application icons, platform-specific assets. Icon - Windows favicon and application icon format

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

File size after PEF to ICO conversion depends on the content complexity and quality settings. Both formats use similar compression approaches so sizes are comparable.

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