When you start working with images, much confusion arises about which image format is good for you according to your needs. So I am writing this article to help you to select the best image file format according to your type of work.
The image format gives information about the image like its compression method, application used to view and edit it.
JPEG
JPEG(Joint Photographic Experts Group) is an image format mainly used for photos. JPEG is the most common format used to store and share images on the internet. In jpeg, the lossy compression method is used to compress images.
The compression level is adjustable and can be done according to storage size and image quality. JPEG image storage size depends on image quality. Image quality starts affecting after 10:1 compression is applied to the image. Image quality becomes poor as the compression level increase.
The most common filename extensions for JPEG images are .jpg and, though .jpe, jfif, and .jif. All operating systems support JPEG.
PNG
PNG(Portable Network Graphics) is good for infographic images. PNG used lossless compression to save images. This type of image format is generally considered a replacement for a GIF but PNG doesn’t support animation.
PNG is used where a portion of the image needs to be transparent. Linux and MacOS used PNG format to save a screenshot by default. PNG can be useful in the case of designing logos, developing websites, and making infographic images.
PNG is good when you need to edit images again and again. Sometimes PNG images become significant and it causes problems in sharing, storing, and slowing down the website you use that images. PNG is better at dealing with sharp contrast.
GIF
GIF( Graphical Interchange Format) are image file format used to create animated images.GIF image format doesn’t contain audio. This is the most engaging image file format. GIF compress images in a lossless format.
Almost all operating systems support the Opening of GIF images in their default browser. Some parts of the GIF are transparent, revealing the background behind the image.
Some GIF images can be a maximum of 256 colors due to their size as compared to other image formats like jpg which has a million colors.
TIFF
TIFF(Tagged Image File Format) is used for high-quality raster-type graphics images. TIFF compresses images in a lossless format. GeoTIFF image files also use the TIF file extension, this includes GPS coordinates where a photo is clicked in file metadata.
TIF file extension is also used in some scanning, faxing, and OCR(Optical Character Recognition). Sometimes when GEOTIF converts into other image formats GPS coordinate metadata may be lost.
PSD
PSD(Adobe Photoshop Document) is the default format used in adobe photoshop for saving files. To open a PSD file you need Adobe Photoshop, but it’s not free. But you can open the PSD files in GIMP software which is completely free.
PSD file is the format used when the image is not completely edited or prepared, it needs some editing and the editor doesn’t want to work more. In this situation, he saves the file in PSD format. And later on, open the PSD file where he left off and continue the work.
PSD files have a maximum height and width of 30,000 pixels and can be a maximum size of 2GB. If you want more height, width and maximum file size go with PSB which is similar to PSD.
XCF
XCF(eXperimental Computing Facility) is the default format used in GIMP(GNU Image Manipulation Program). XCF format works the same as PSD. But by default, PSD work in photoshop, and XCF works in GIMP.
BITMAP
A bitmap is a map of bits that form a particular picture when rendered to a computer monitor. The image size of the bitmap image cannot be changed without losing quality.
The resolution is the main factor that affects bitmap because the resolution is fixed when the image is created.
The file size of bitmap images is large. Each pixel in the Bitmap image is assigned at least one bit.
RAW
RAW images are captured by a digital camera. It has more detail in the image compared to other formats. The RAW image format is good for that photo where editing is needed. The RAW image is that image that is unprocessed.
To open a RAW file, you need special software to view and edit the RAW images. The RAW image needs to be processed before using to store and share in an editor.