It is possible for you to discover many different types of image formats. If you are an average computer user, you have a clear understanding about it. At certain times, you must have even wondered why images are available in many different formats.
You will be able to discover a large number of differences in the images that are available in different formats. In order to help you get a better understanding, we thought of reviewing the most prominent types of image formats out of them. You can go through the list and get a clear understanding about the differences that exist in between them. Along with that, you can go to the next step of using those different formats of images to get your work done as well.
- JPEG
JPEG is the most common image format that you can find out there in the world. In fact, most of the images are available in this format. The abbreviation JPEG refers to Joint Photographic Experts Group. It was a standard created for image formatting. You will notice that JPEG files are relatively small. In fact, it has been one of the objectives of the standard as well. It is compressing the image files, so that they can be used to store a considerable amount of information, without enhancing the size.
In most of the digital cameras, captured images are saved in JPEG format. This is applicable to the camera of your mobile phone as well. Then you will be able to capture a large number of photos, without consuming the available space on your memory card. If the images are saved in another format, you will come across the need to use a higher storage volume, which is practically not possible.
In order to ensure the compact size, JPEG file formats are compressed. This compression is a unique one as well. In fact, it is done in a way, so that details of the images are not lost. That’s the main reason why you can discover a high quality in the JPEG images. You will even be able to go ahead and print them without keeping any doubts in mind.
On the other hand, JPEG images can easily be uploaded to the websites. Since these are small files, you will be able to make sure that people who access the website can easily load all the images. They can contribute a lot towards the good looks offered by a website as well.
- TIFF
TIFF is another popular image format that you can find out there. In fact, TIFF refers to Tagged Image File Format. You will notice that TIFF images are relatively large in size. That’s because the TIFF images are not compressed. Hence, you will be able to find lots of image data in a TIFF file. On the other hand, you will also notice that the TIFF images come along with a high level of flexibility. You will be able to experience this flexibility in terms of color and content. In other words, you can change the colors of TIFF images to CMYK, grayscale and RGB without any issues. Depending on the requirement, you can change them. Likewise, you will find multiple content layers, such as image tags on TIFF file.
You will be able to find TIFF files being used commonly in the photo software applications, such as Adobe Photoshop. That’s because a high volume of information is available and it is possible to manipulate the details and end up with a quality output at the end of the day.
- RAW image files
High end DSLR cameras are storing image files in a format called RAW. This is another prominent image file format available, so we thought of adding it to the list as well. These files are called as RAW mainly because they are not processed. Hence, you will not be able to print or edit the RAW files. You can also discover many different sub-variations in the RAW files that are available. They mainly differ based on the companies that manufacture cameras. In other words, different camera companies come out with different variations of RAW.
You will be able to discover a massive amount of data in the RAW files as well. They are uncompressed. Hence, you will also notice that the RAW files are relatively large when compared to the others. You will be able to convert the RAW files into TIFF files, so that you can proceed with color-correcting and editing.
- GIF files
GIF is the abbreviation that stands out for Graphic Interchange Format. This format has got the ability to compress images. However, it is done in a different manner when compared to JPEG. That’s because the compression process is a loseless one.
You can discover a limited color range in the GIF files. Hence, you will not be able to print them. This image file format is not used for photography. However, you can see how GIF images are widely being used for animations. That’s the most appropriate application of GIF files as well.
- PNG
PNG refers to Portable Network Graphics. It was created mainly as an open format, in order to replace GIF. That’s because GIF image format was owned by a company and there was a patent for it. People wanted to come up with an open version for it and PNG eventually came into play. Hence, there is no need to pay a licensing fee to use the PNG images.
PNG files are widely being used for the web images. However, they are never used for printing. PNG file formats are extremely popular among photographs. That’s because they are in a position to hold information of a photograph in a better way. Hence, it will be possible to extract a lot of useful information from a PNG image at the end of the day.