Nowadays there is a wide variety of designs, models in which there are many types of image files available, but most likely you have come across some that are usually the most common: JPG (also known as JPEG), PNG and GIF . These three contain a series of characteristics although they appear to be the same, they all have their advantages and disadvantages, so we invite you to get to know them better and be able to recognize and decide which one we need to use in different scenarios.
Most Internet browsers have the ability to display these three types of images without any problem , some formats work better for certain occasions. For example, JPGs are often used for images that are realistic and look good even if the file size is very small; GIFs , which are so widely used today, show animated images ; PNGs , on the georgia business email list other hand, have the ability to maintain maximum quality at all times and support transparency .
However, before knowing what their characteristics are due to, we must differentiate them from each other, in order to apply their uses:
GIF – Perfect for use on small files with limited colors (grayscale, for example). Avoid using it for photographs.
PNG : Use for graphics, illustrations, and small web files that require transparency. Avoid for highly detailed photos that need to be uploaded to the web because they will be too heavy.
JPG – Ideal for displaying photos on the web without taking up much space on a server. Terrible for image editing.
But let's focus on the JPG in more detail.
JPG is a file type that was developed by the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) to be the standard for images taken by photographers. In order for JPG to be small, the file size is compressed into blocks of pixels, also known as “ mosaics .” The problem with this compression is that it is permanent because it was created with the idea of storing large images in small storage spaces.
JPG has become the most widely used image file type on the Internet because it can be compressed up to 100 times. Its popularity began when dial-up was still used for browsing, as connections were so slow that this was the only option.
On the other hand, the peculiarity of the GIF format has been noted .
GIF is also a type of image file that has been around for quite some time, although it was almost forgotten for a while, it has recently become very popular again . It stands for Graphics Interchange Format.
The main feature of GIF is that it supports 256 color palettes , and it also supports animations and transparency . This will not create a distortion of the image, like JPG, but it will blur the colors quite a bit, making it look slightly pixelated. However, in a GIF image you do not lose straight lines like text, as you would with a JPG.