100% Work | Recover Deleted Photos from Pentax Camera

Want to recover deleted photos from Pentax camera? Read this post, you can easily and quickly recover PEF files that are deleted/lost from the memory card.

By @Lori Last Updated October 30, 2024

Your Pentax camera holds more than just files; it also contains precious memories, and losing them can be very upsetting. But what if you could recover deleted photos from a Pentax camera? Let’s explore how to do that.

Is It Possible to Recover Data from Pentax Camera?

Yes, you can recover deleted photos from Pentax camera. Pentax cameras store photos and videos on SD cards, which can be recovered even after deletion. When a file is deleted, it is not erased, but marked as free space until it is overwritten by new data. So, deleted photos can usually be recovered from Pentax cameras (including photos saved in the Pentax-specific PEF file format).

This guide provides 2 effective methods to recover deleted PEF from Pentax digital camera and dives into the details of working with PEF.

Common Causes of Data Loss and Recovery Solutions

Here is an overview of some possible causes of losing data on a Pentax camera

πŸŽ‡ Accidental Deletion: It's easy to accidentally delete photos without a recycle bin to recover from. However, data recovery tools can scan your SD card to retrieve deleted files.

🎊 Accidental Formatting: Formatting the SD card erases all files, but recovery tools can recover files from formatted SD cards.

πŸŽ† Improper Ejection: Removing the SD card from a device during file transfers can render PEF images inaccessible or lost. Similarly, unsafely ejecting the SD card can also cause data loss. However, if these files have not yet been overwritten, data recovery software can help.

🎑 SD Card Corruption: Logical corruption can be reversed by data recovery software, but if files are physically corrupted (e.g., due to malware), recovering deleted PEF photos may be impossible.

🐱‍🏍 Physical Damage to Device: Camera damage is irrelevant to data recovery; the condition of the memory card is key. Professional data recovery services may salvage data from a damaged card, though success isn't guaranteed.

🌟Tip: When you realize you've lost an important file on your Pentax camera, stop using the memory card immediately to prevent overwriting data. The sooner you initiate the recovery process, the better your chances of fully restoring your files.

How to Recover Deleted Videos/Photos from Pentax Camera

In this part, you will discover two effective methods to recover deleted photos from your Pentax camera. Whether you prefer third-party photo recovery software or Windows data recovery utilities, you'll find a solution that suits your needs.

#1. Recover Deleted Photos from Pentax Camera with MyRecover

If your Pentax photos are permanently lost and you don’t have backups. The best way is to use reliable camera photo recovery software - MyRecover to help you recover deleted photos from Pentax camera in Windows 11/10/8/7 effortlessly.

πŸ• Support all Pentax camera models (e.g., Pentax K-1, K-3, K-5, K-S1, Pentax 645Z, classic K1000) and work with standard SD card, SDXC , SDHC, MicroSD, CF, Cfast, xD-Picture, etc. πŸ• Recovers over 200 file formats, including common photo formats (PEF, NEF, ARW, CR2, JPG, PSD, SVG, X3F) and other file types like Word documents, Excel files, videos, and audio. πŸ• Quickly recovers Pentax PEF images with a high success rate, allowing you to preview and filter them before recovery. πŸ• Handles multiple data loss scenarios such as accidental deletion, formatted disk, virus attacks, and disk corruption. πŸ• Compatible with all the Windows OS, including Windows 7, 8/8.1, 10, 11, and Windows Server.

You can also use MyRecover to recover up to 500MB of files for free. Download this PEF file recovery tool to have a try.

Download Software Windows 11/10/8/7/Server
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Guide to Recover Pentax Camera RAW Images

Step 1. Run MyRecover and start scan

Connect the SD card to the computer and run MyRecover. Then, hover the mouse over the SD card and click Scan.

Step 2. Filter and preview photos

It will run a Quick & Deep Scan to find all your deleted and lost photos on Pentax camera. As the scan progresses, you can filter, preview, and recover the scanned files to find your desired images more efficiently.

🌟Tip: There are 3 options that allow you to quickly filter files.
  • Type: Select the file type (Images, Videos, Documents, Audios, Mails, Webpages, Compressed files, etc.)
  • Date modified: Set the date (today, yesterday, last 7/30 days, etc.)
  • Size: Filter the file size (<128KB, 128KB~1MB, 1MB~ 512MB, 512MB above, etc.)

Step 3. Recover photos

Choose all the files you want to recover (like PEF images) and click Recover x files. You will then be asked to select a location. Select a new location instead of the original one may result in further data loss.

🌟Tips:
  • If you want to recover more than 500MB of data, please upgrade MyRecover to the Professional or Technical Edition, which is a more cost-effective and labor-saving option.
  • In addition, MyRecover supports various brands of digital cameras, you can use it to recover photos from Sony camera and other digital cameras like Canon, Nikon, Polaroid, Olympus, Leica, etc.

#2. Recover Deleted PEF Photos from File History

If you have previously backed up your PEF photos using File History on Windows, you can perform RAW PEF image recovery easily.

Step 1. Typefile historyin the search box on your Windows desktop and choose Restore your files with file history.

Step 2. Ensure that File History is enabled and set up correctly in the Control Panel, and select Restore personal files.

Step 3. Choose the specific PEF files you want to recover from the backup. Click on the green "Restore" button to recover RAW PEF images.

What Is a PEF File and How to Open/Manage/Convert it?

PEF, short for Pentax Electronic File, is a RAW photo format exclusively used by Pentax cameras. These files retain uncompressed RAW image data captured directly by the camera sensor.

Unlike standard JPEG files, PEF files preserve higher image quality and finer details, making them optimal for advanced post-processing. Due to their intricate structure, specific software is necessary to view and edit PEF files effectively.

To open and manage PEF Files:

Viewing PEF Files: Modern applications like Windows Photos and Live Photo Gallery support the viewing of PEF files. For more sophisticated editing capabilities, software such as Adobe Photoshop, PENTAX PHOTO Browser, Corel Aftershot, and ACD System ACDSee are recommended. Ensure compatibility by installing the Raw Image Extension from the Microsoft Store if using Windows 10 or higher.

Managing PEF Files: These applications offer robust tools tailored to manage the depth of data within RAW files, enabling precise adjustments and enhancements to your images.

To convert PEF Files:

Convert PEF files to formats like JPG, JPEG, BMP, or PNG using major photo editing software that supports PEF input and desired output formats. This simplifies the process of sharing and viewing images across various platforms and devices.

Bonus Tip: Protect Your Pentax Photos and Videos

To safeguard your precious memories, here are some helpful tips:

1️⃣ Regular backups: Always back up your photos and videos using reliable methods such as external hard drives and cloud storage. Consider using free backup software AOMEI Backupper Standard for Windows for added security.

2️⃣ Safe handling of SD cards: Use the "Safely Remove Hardware" option on your computer before ejecting the SD card from your Pentax camera to prevent data corruption.

3️⃣ Proper SD card formatting: Regularly format SD card in the camera (not on your computer) to maintain optimal performance. Always back up your data ahead of time to prevent accidental data loss.

4️⃣ Antivirus software: Keep your computer's antivirus software up to date to protect your files from potential virus infection.

5️⃣ Maintain battery life: Make sure your Pentax camera's battery is fully charged during use to avoid sudden shutdowns that can damage your files.

6️⃣ Protect your equipment: Protect your camera and SD card with a protective case to prevent accidental drops and adverse weather conditions.

7️⃣ Firmware updates: Regularly check for and install firmware updates for your Pentax camera. These updates often include bug fixes and enhancements to improve overall performance.

Final Words

If you don't have a file backup, you can rely on MyRecover to easily recover deleted photos from your Pentax camera or any other camera brand. With its advanced recovery features, you can recover permanently deleted photos from various data storage devices like SD cards, USB drives, HDD, SSD, etc. What's more, it supports free data recovery of up to 500MB. Why not give it a try?

Download Software Windows 11/10/8/7/Server
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FAQs on Pentax Camera Photo Recovery

How to recover deleted photos from Pentax digital camera?
 
Step 1: Run MyRecover and Start Scan Connect your SD card to your computer and open MyRecover. Click Scan on your SD card. Step 2: Filter and Preview Photos MyRecover will scan for deleted and lost photos. You can filter, preview, and select the Pentax camera RAW images you want to recover. Step 3: Recover Photos Select the photos you want to recover and click Recover X Files. Save them to a new location.
Can I recover data from Pentax cameras connected directly to a PC?
 
No, you cannot recover data directly from Pentax cameras connected via USB to a computer. Instead, remove the memory card and use a card reader for data recovery.
Can I recover photos from a formatted memory card?
 
Yes, it is possible to recover photos from a formatted memory card. Many people accidentally perform a quick format, but you can undo quick format and recover data easily with MyRecover.
How to recover lost RAW PEF files from Pentax cameras?
 
When images are deleted from Pentax storage media, they can't typically be retrieved easily because there's no built-in recovery process. To attempt recovery, use a Pentax photo recovery tool like MyRecover. Stop using the SD card immediately to avoid further data loss, as continued use can reduce the chances of successful recovery.
How to recover deleted PEF files on Mac?
 
If you have Time Machine enabled on your Mac before losing PEF files, you can use it to recover them: 1. Press Command and Space to open Spotlight. Type "Time Machine" and press Return. 2. Go to the folder where the deleted PEF files were stored and find your backup images. 3. Select the PEF files you want to restore and click the Restore button.