ORF File Recovery: Free Recover Olympus RAW ORF Image

About ORF File

ORF (Olympus RAW Format) is the proprietary RAW image file format used by Olympus digital cameras. Unlike standard JPEG images, ORF files store unprocessed image data directly from the camera sensor. This allows photographers to adjust exposure, white balance, sharpness, and other details with greater flexibility during post-processing.

Because ORF files contain high-quality, uncompressed data, they are larger in size and mainly used by professional photographers or users who need advanced editing capabilities. However, like other RAW formats, ORF files can become lost, deleted, or corrupted due to accidental deletion, formatting, or storage errors—making reliable ORF file recovery methods very important.

Common Reasons Why You Lost ORF File

After understanding what ORF files are and why they are important, it’s also crucial to know the common situations that can lead to their loss. Recognizing these scenarios can help you prevent data loss in the future and choose the right recovery method if your valuable ORF photos go missing.

• Accidental Deletion– Mistakenly removing ORF photos while managing your memory card or camera storage.
• Formatting Errors – Formatting the SD card or internal storage without backing up files.
• Corrupted Storage Device – Bad sectors, file system errors, or damaged memory cards leading to inaccessible ORF files.
• Camera Malfunction– Unexpected shutdown, battery failure, or firmware issues causing file corruption.
• Virus or Malware Attack– Infected storage devices that delete or damage RAW images.
• Improper File Transfer – Interruptions during data transfer between camera and computer, resulting in lost or incomplete ORF files.

Possible to Recover ORF File Directly from Olympus Digital Camera?

Recovering ORF files directly from an Olympus digital camera is generally not possible. Unlike Windows operating system, Olympus cameras do not have a built-in Trash or Recycle Bin to temporarily store deleted files, which means you cannot restore lost or deleted RAW images directly on the device.

When a file is deleted, it is marked as removed, but the actual data usually remains on the SD card until it is overwritten by new photos or videos. So, you can connect the Olympus SD card to a computer and then perform Olympus RAW orf image recovery.

Easily Recover Olympus Camera RAW File From Computers

If photos or videos are missing from your Olympus camera, first take the following steps to improve the chances of a successful recovery:

❌Stop Using Your Olympus Camera – Do not take any new photos or record new videos. Any new data onto the SD card can overwrite the deleted files, which significantly reduces the possibility of recovery.

✔️Remove the SD Card – Safely eject the SD card from your camera and connect it to your PC via a reliable card reader. Make sure it is detected by your computer successfully.

Now, you can use one of the following methods to recover recover ORF files successfully. Choose one based on your specific situation and computer skills.

Method 1: MyRecover (Free, Beginner-Friendly GUI Tool)

MyRecover is a free, user-friendly data recovery software ideal for beginners who want to restore lost ORF files from Olympus cameras without any technical hassle. Its graphical interface makes the recovery process intuitive and straightforward.

Steps to recover ORF files using MyRecover:

Step 1. Go to the official MyRecover website or other reliable sites like Microsoft Store, download the software, and install it on your computer.

Step 2. Launch MyRecover, choose the connected SD card as the target device and click "Scan" for scanning.

Step 3. The software will a quick or deep scan to search for lost ORF files on the SD card. If the quick scan does not find your ORF files, you can manually switch to "Deep Scan".

Step 4. Select the ORF images you want to restore, and click "Recover". (💥if you want to preview the recoverable files before recovery, please upgrade to Professional).

Step 5. Save them to a different drive to avoid overwriting.

When it is done, you will see a mini window, where you can know how many files have been successully recovered and where they are. By clicking the path link, you will be able to directly access the recovered ORF files.

Method 2: Microsoft Windows File Recovery (Free, Advanced Command-Line Tool)

Windows File Recovery is a free tool developed and provided by Microsoft, designed for advanced users comfortable with command-line interfaces. It allows detailed control over file recovery, including Olympus RAW ORF files. While it’s powerful, it requires careful usage to avoid mistakes.Besides, it is only compatible with Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Step 1. Download Windows File Recovery from the Microsoft Store and install it on your Windows 10 or 11 computer.

Step 2. Search the Windows File Recovery tool from the Start menu and launch it with administrator privileges.

Step 3. Run the correct command, such as: winfr I: D: /regular/n *.orf

The tool will scan and recover ORF files to the destination folder.

This method is recommended for users familiar with command-line tools. Always double-check drive letters and commands to avoid accidental data loss.

FAQs

Q: How To Convert An ORF File To JPEG?

A: You can convert an ORF file to JPEG using photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, or Olympus Workspace. Free tools such as IrfanView or online converters also support ORF to JPEG conversion.

Q: How Do You Open ORF Files?

A: ORF files can be opened with Olympus Workspace, Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, or free viewers like IrfanView and RawTherapee. On Windows and macOS, you may need additional codecs or RAW image support software.

Q: Can You Recover Deleted Photos From An Olympus Camera?

A: Yes. While Olympus cameras don’t have a Recycle Bin, deleted photos remain on the SD card until overwritten. By stopping camera use immediately and using data recovery software, you can often restore deleted photos, including ORF files.

Bottom Line

ORF files are valuable for photographers who want maximum editing flexibility, but they are also at risk of loss due to accidental deletion, formatting, or corruption. Fortunately, with the right recovery tools like MyRecover or Windows File Recovery, you can restore Olympus RAW ORF images effectively.

If you delete ORF files from computers, you can check the Recycle Bin first. If nothing found, then follow the methods in this guide. Apart from helping with ORF file recovery, MyRecover also enables you to recover other types of images, like jpg/jpeg/jpe, png, tif/tiff, hevc/heic/heif, gif, psd, svg, arw, x3f, etc. To enjoy unlimited data recovery quota on unlimited devices for billable service, try Technician edition.