Convert ERF to APNG Online

Convert ERF to APNG Online

Build one animated PNG from a set of Epson ERF raw photos: upload your frames in shooting order, set a frame rate, and download a single looping APNG. ERF is the raw format from Epson's R-D1 and R-D1s rangefinder cameras, so each file is demosaiced and rendered to a standard 8-bit sRGB frame before it goes into the animation. Upload one ERF and you get a clean single-frame APNG; upload a sequence and each becomes a frame — handy for stitching a bracketed or timelapse R-D1 series into a smooth, full-color loop that GIF would crush to 256 colors.

How to Convert ERF to APNG

1. Upload Your ERF Files: Drag and drop or click "Add Files" to add your Epson raw photos. They become frames in the order you add them, so arrange the sequence before converting.
2. Set the Framerate: Pick a value from the Framerate dropdown — 10 FPS (Recommended) for a typical loop, or slower for a slideshow feel and faster for quicker motion.
3. Adjust Image Quality or Resolution (Optional): Use Image quality (%) to trade fine detail for a smaller file, or set a Preset Resolution / Width x Height under Image resolution to resize every frame.
4. Convert and Download: Click Convert and save your APNG. Files upload over an encrypted connection, are processed on our servers, and are deleted automatically after a few hours. No sign-up, no watermark.

APNG vs GIF for ERF Photo Frames

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I combine multiple ERF files into one animated APNG?

Add every ERF you want as a frame before you convert — the upload order is the playback order. Each raw photo is rendered to an sRGB frame, and the Framerate setting controls how long each frame is shown. A single uploaded ERF produces a valid one-frame (static) APNG rather than an animation.

What is an ERF file and where does it come from?

ERF stands for Epson Raw File. It is a TIFF/EP-based raw format written only by the Epson R-D1 (2004) and R-D1s digital rangefinder cameras — Epson left the camera business, so no other camera produces it. The file holds the sensor's bit-packed CFA (Bayer) data, which has to be demosaiced into a viewable RGB image; this converter does that rendering for you before assembling the frames.

Why pick APNG over GIF for ERF photos?

R-D1 raw frames are full-color photographs, and GIF caps every frame at 256 colors, which adds visible banding to skies, skin tones, and gradients. APNG stores full 24-bit color losslessly, so the rendered frames keep their tonal smoothness. In our testing, a 3-frame R-D1 sequence exported to APNG showed no posterization, while the same frames as a GIF dithered noticeably across smooth areas.

Will my APNG be larger than a GIF?

Often yes. APNG keeps full 24-bit color and applies lossless compression, so a photographic sequence can be heavier than the same animation flattened to 256 colors as a GIF. The trade is fidelity for size — if file size matters more than color accuracy, GIF stays smaller; if you want the photos to look like the originals, APNG is worth the bytes. You can also lower Image quality (%) or downsize the resolution to pull the file back down.

Which browsers and apps play APNG files?

Chrome 59+, Firefox 3+, Safari 8+, Edge 79+, and current Opera play APNG natively — about 94.7% of users worldwide per caniuse. In an app or old browser that does not support it (such as Internet Explorer), the file falls back to showing its first frame as a normal still PNG, so viewers never see a broken image.

Are my uploaded ERF files kept private?

Yes. Your files upload over an encrypted (TLS) connection, are processed on our servers, and are deleted automatically after a few hours. There is no sign-up, no watermark, and your photos are never shared or made public. If you only need stills rather than an animation, convert ERF to PNG or convert ERF to JPG instead.