Image formats are different types of file types used for saving pictures, graphics, and photos. Choosing the right image format is important because it affects how your images look, load, and perform on websites, social media, or in print. Common formats include JPEG, PNG, GIF, and SVG, each with its own strengths. JPEGs are popular for photos because they balance quality and file size. PNGs are great for images that need clear backgrounds, and SVGs are best for designs that need to stay sharp at any size. Knowing which format to use can help make your images look their best and fit your needs perfectly.
Image Formats
Image Format describes how data related to the image will be stored. Data can be stored in compressed, Uncompressed, or vector format. Each format of the image has a different advantage and disadvantage. Image types such as TIFF are good for printing while JPG or PNG, are best for the web.
TIFF(.tif, .tiff):
Tagged Image File Format this format store image data without losing any data. It does not perform any compression on images, and a high-quality image is obtained but the size of the image is also large, which is good for printing, and professional printing.
JPEG (.jpg, .jpeg):
Joint Photographic Experts Group is a loss-prone (lossy) format in which data is lost to reduce the size of the image. Due to compression, some data is lost but that loss is very less. It is a very common format and is good for digital cameras, nonprofessional prints, E-Mail, PowerPoint, etc., making it ideal for web use.
GIF (.gif):
GIF or Graphics Interchange Format files are used for web graphics. They can be animated and are limited to only 256 colors, which can allow for transparency. GIF files are typically small in size and are portable.
PNG (.png):
PNG or Portable Network Graphics files are a lossless image format. It was designed to replace gif format as gif supported 256 colors unlike PNG which support 16 million colors.
WebP:
Basically Google created WebP to replace JPEG as the standard format for images on the web by shrinking image files to expedite the loading of online pages. Also WebP employs a RIFF-based container which is based on the intra-frame coding of VP8.
HEIF (High Efficiency Image File Format):
A High Efficiency Image File Format or HEIF is an image container format which was standardized by MPEG on the basis of the ISO base media file format to solve some problems. The HEIF standard specifies the storage of HEVC intra-coded images and HEVC-coded image sequences that make use of inter-picture prediction, even though HEIF can be used with any image compression method as per requirement.
AVIF (AV1 Image File Format):
In order to benefit from contemporary compression algorithms and an entirely royalty-free image format, the video consortium Alliance for Open Media (AO Media), which created the video format Av1, standardized the AV1 Image File Format (AVIF) to process the needful technology. It employs the AVIF-coded picture format and also suggests utilizing the HEIF container.
Bitmap (.bmp):
Bit Map Image file is developed by Microsoft for windows. It is same as TIFF due to lossless, no compression property. Due to BMP being a proprietary format, it is generally recommended to use TIFF files.
EPS (.eps):
Encapsulated PostScript file is a common vector file type. EPS files can be opened in applications such as Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW.
RAW Image Files (.raw, .cr2, .nef, .orf, .sr2):
These Files are unprocessed and created by a camera or scanner. Many digital SLR cameras can shoot in RAW, whether it be a .raw, .cr2, or .nef. These images are the equivalent of a digital negative, meaning that they hold a lot of image information. These images need to be processed in an editor such as Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom. It saves metadata and is used for photography.
What is Image Saved With Transparency?
Images saved with transparency look good on colored background whereas images without transparency will have a white background which will be visible on colored background.
Transparency
Conclusion
Choosing the right image format is key to making your pictures and graphics look good and perform well. JPEGs work well for everyday photos, while PNGs are perfect for images that need high quality or transparency. SVGs are great for logos and icons that need to stay sharp, no matter how big or small. Understanding these formats can help you pick the best one for your projects, whether you’re designing a website, posting on social media, or printing. By selecting the right format, you can make sure your images always look their best and work smoothly everywhere.
Image Formats -FAQs
FAQs on Image Formats
What are the different image formats?
Common image formats include JPEG, PNG, GIF, SVG, TIFF, BMP, and WEBP, each suited for different purposes like photos, graphics, animations, and high-quality prints.
What are 3 image file types?
Three popular image file types are JPEG, PNG, and GIF.
What is the full form of JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF?
JPG/JPEG: Joint Photographic Experts Group
PNG: Portable Network Graphics
GIF: Graphics Interchange Format
What is the best image format?
The best format depends on your needs: JPEG is great for photos, PNG for high-quality images with transparency, and SVG for scalable vector graphics.
What is a TIFF file?
TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) is a high-quality image format often used in printing and professional photography because it supports lossless compression.
How many types of images are there?
There are mainly two types: raster (pixel-based like JPEG, PNG) and vector (math-based like SVG).
Are JPG and JPEG the same?
Yes, JPG and JPEG are the same format, with different file extensions due to old naming conventions.