We live in a wonderful world where hard-and-fast rules for anything are rare. However, whenever image file formats come up in discussion, you’ll always hear the same advice from the internet.
JPEGs are for when you want to store photos, and GIFs (because of their animated qualities) are for when you want to show anything that might contain a significant number of colors.
However, as we’re about to reveal, these rules are mostly an urban legend. With this helpful guide to both JPG vs PNG, you can make the most informed choice possible.
Introduction to Image File Formats
There are two common image file formats, JPG and PNG. JPG is better for photos because it uses lossy compression, meaning that some image data is lost when the file is compressed. This results in a smaller file size, which is important for photos because they are often large files.
PNG is better for screenshots and other images with sharp lines and few colors because it uses lossless compression, meaning that no image data is lost when the file is compressed. This results in a higher quality image, but a larger file size.
Advantages and Disadvantages of JPG vs PNG
JPG is the most popular format than PNG and is used by most digital cameras and photo editing software.
Advantages of JPG:
JPG is a lossy compression format, which means that it eliminates some of the image data in order to reduce file size. This makes it ideal for storing photos and images on your computer or devices. Files can be small in size, which makes them easy to transfer and download.
The JPG format is supported by all web browsers and most photo editing software.
Disadvantages of JPG:
A JPEG file tends to be larger in size than a PNG file. This can be a problem when you’re trying to save space on your computer or when you’re sending files via email. Additionally, JPEG files can lose quality when they’re compressed.
PNG is a newer format and is becoming more popular because it offers some advantages over JPG.
Advantages of PNG:
PNG is a lossless compression format, which means that all of the image data is retained. This makes it ideal for storing images that need to be preserved in their original quality, such as lines art, logos, and illustrations.
Files are usually larger than JPG files, but they can be compressed further without losing any quality. PNG format is supported by all web browsers and most photo editing software.
Disadvantages of PNG:
PNG files don’t support animation, while JPEG files do.
How to Convert JPG to PNG and Vice Versa
To convert images from one format to the other, you can use an online converter tool such as heic to png.
When converting an image from one format to the other, it is important to consider the quality of the image. If quality is important, then PNG is the better choice. If file size is more important, then JPEG is the better choice.
FAQs About Color and Quality
JPG and PNG both have their own unique advantages and disadvantages that make them each better for different types of images.
JPG files are better for images with lots of colors and shades, like photos. This is because JPG compresses images by analyzing and discarding data that the human eye can’t see. This makes JPG files much smaller in size, which is ideal for images that will be loaded onto a website.
PNG files are better for images with few colors, like logos or illustrations. This is because PNG compresses images by reducing the number of colors used. This makes PNG files bigger in size, but the quality of the image is better.
When to Use JPG vs PNG
There are many image file formats to choose from when saving digital images, but the two most common are JPG and PNG. Both are great choices for different purposes, but knowing when to use each one is important for creating the best quality images.
JPG format files are best used for pictures that will be used on the internet because they do not take up a lot of space. They are also good to use when printing because they can be made smaller with little quality loss. This format compresses the image, which means that some of the detail is lost.
However, the loss is not noticeable to the human eye, so JPG is still a great choice for images that need to be of high quality.
PNG format files are best used for images that need to be high quality, such as images used in a professional setting. This format does not compress the image, so all of the detail is preserved. However, this also means that PNG files are much larger than JPG files, so they are not ideal for large images.
The Best Image Formats for Different Types of Photography
JPEG is best for images that have lots of detail, like photos taken with a DSLR camera. The file format compresses images, which means that it can reduce the quality of the image. However, JPEG is a good choice for images that will be edited or printed, since the compression doesn’t affect the quality too much.
PNG is best for images that don’t have as much detail, like screenshots or images with text. The file format doesn’t compress images, so the quality is always high. However, PNG files are often much larger than jpeg files, so they can take up more space on your computer.
Choose Based on Image File Format Needed
The main considerations when deciding on image file formats are, that JPG is best for photographs, while PNG is best for images with fewer colors, like logos or illustrations. They both have their advantages and disadvantages, so choose the format that’s right for the image you’re trying to create.
Do you want to learn more about digital images and how to make your designs more efficient? Check out the rest of our blog page to find more guides like this one!
