Difference Between JPEG and PNG

by | Dec 4, 2022 | Image editing, Product photography | 0 comments

There are different formats for saving images to digital copies. The formats JPEG and PNG are two of these. Choosing the right format can be very helpful because each has its benefits and drawbacks. I always upload images in JPEG files for my website. And it occupies less space than in PNG format. Do you want to know the difference between JPEG and PNG? Probably, yes. This article will briefly discuss the “Difference Between JPEG and PNG.” After reading this article, you will understand which format to use for graphic design creation, editing, printing, storing, and online sharing.
JPEG vs PNG Advantages Scaled

JPEG: What is It?

In 1992, the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) released the first version of JPEG. The group wanted to reduce the size of photographic image files, making it easier to share them. They did nicely for the most part.

a format for compressing image files.
“a JPEG image” Definitions from Oxford Languages

Sadly, this process of file compression could be better. Some of the image’s quality is lost when converted to a JPEG file. During the JPEG conversion, some information in the original file is permanently deleted. Visit Wikipedia for more reading.

PNG: What is It?

PNG refers to the Portable Network Graphic, a file format for raster images. PNG files are a bit more recent than JPG files, but both have gained much popularity. In the 1990s, the Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) was replaced by the PNG file format for the first time. PNG quickly gained popularity as an alternative due to the limitations of GIF. PNG files have different benefits than JPEG files. PNG images’ support for transparency is one of the important features.

The contrast between JPEG and PNG

Let’s learn the differences between JPEG and PNG files below. 

Level of compression

Consider the different types of compression these file formats employ when deciding. Files can be compressed without sacrificing quality with lossless compression. It allows you to reduce the size of your file while maintaining its original quality. Lossless formats are widely used for many illustrations, texts, and drawings.

JPEG vs PNG: Level of Compression

All of a file’s information is encoded in these formats, starting with the first version. The achieved variant will not differ from the initial sample when a file is more decompressed. GIF and PNG are the examples of this format that are used the most.

A lossy compression occurs when some data is lost during compression. It is impossible to undo it and restore the file’s original quality. It eliminates irrelevant information that does not enhance the overall view of a photograph. Because the quality of JPEG files decreases, many photographers prefer to save their images in uncompressed formats.

Although they display the image with the greatest precision, uncompressed formats consume the most disk space.

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File Size

JPEG offers lower picture quality. It occupies less room on a hard drive. JPEG format is useful for people with limited storage space because of this. Also, these images load more quickly. The fact that PNG files contain more data. It results in a larger file size and superior quality, which is the primary distinction between them. They may slow down the loading time of your web pages because they are larger than JPEG and GIF files.

Transparency

Transparency is not supported by the JPG format, which is important in some situations. That is the case when a photographer uses photo retouching software and wishes to distinguish objects from the background. This backdrop is already empty in PNG format, so they do not have to waste time cutting it out.

 

Transparency is not supported by the JPEG

Web designers frequently need to save graphic designs and images with transparent backgrounds, so the PNG format is popular. They can choose the level of transparency with this format. These images look better on web pages because of it.

Data Support for EXIF

Another difference between JPEG and PNG formats is that PNG does not support saving digital camera EXIF data. JPEG files, in contrast, support this data. You can see the shutter speed and focal length that a photographer uses to take a picture when you look at information about such files.

JPEG vs PNG: File Format Characteristics Scaled

To demonstrate the many characteristics that might be associated with picture files, I saved the same photograph using six alternative file formats.

Which Format Should You Use?

Depending on your needs, consider either PNG or JPEG.

For Editing Images

Several applications support the PNG and JPEG file formats. They are widely used in image editing. However, if you want the image’s original quality to be preserved, you should consider using PNG formats for editing. Later, you can always export the PNG image into a supported JPEG format.

Storing Your Pictures

If you wish to store a lot of photographs in a restricted space, then JPEG would be a better choice. This is because PNG images can take up a lot of space.

Websites

PNG and JPEG formats are often used on websites and social media platforms. Logos, banners, and illustrations that require a transparent background are the most common applications for PNG. Aside from that, JPEG is a better option for displaying images on various social media and website platforms.

Frequently asked questions

When you know the Difference Between JPEG and PNG, you can decide which format is best for you.

1. Between JPEG and PNG, which is the best?

This question has no universal answer. However, there are multiple instances in which one format outperforms the other, even though the choice might seem difficult.

2. What should I do if my photos become damaged after changing the photo format?

After converting their format, the photos may become damaged; in this case, don’t worry. Some Photo Repair apps can restore photos to their original quality.

3. Is JPG equivalent to JPEG?

Yes, the image formats JPG and JPEG are the same. The only difference is that they use a different container (the format name). JPG is the shortened version of JPEG developed to support it on Windows personal computers.

4. Which image format has the highest quality?

Most of the time, image formats that use lossless data compression are better because they keep the quality of the image. TIFF, PNG, RAW, and BMP are efficient lossless image formats.

5. How can a picture be saved as a JPEG file?

The most common native image format for saving photos is JPEG. You can convert your image to JPEG in any other format. The simplest method is using MS Paint to open and save it as a JPEG file.
MS Paint to open and save it as a JPEG file

6. Can I convert any image file without a converter?

No. You have to use a converter to convert any image.

Final Thoughts

After reading the article “Difference Between JPEG and PNG,” you will better understand the two types of image quality. You can use JPEG and PNG are both widely used image formats. PNG and JPG’s benefits have now been exposed. PNG offers features you should consider if you have detailed illustrations or photos, while JPEG makes storage simple. Of course, you can pick either one if you need to know which is better for your needs!

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