Image Format Comparison: HEIC vs JPG vs PNG vs WEBP
Understanding image formats is crucial for optimizing your digital content. Whether you're a photographer, web developer, or content creator, choosing the right format can significantly impact image quality, file size, and compatibility across different platforms.
Image Format Comparison Table
| Format | Compression | Transparency | File Size | Compatibility | Ideal Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HEIC | High efficiency lossy | Yes | Very Small | Limited (Apple ecosystem) | Mobile photography, storage optimization |
| JPG | Lossy | No | Small | Universal | Photos, web images |
| PNG | Lossless | Yes | Large | Universal | Screenshots, logos, graphics |
| WEBP | Lossy/Lossless | Yes | Small | Modern browsers | Web optimization |
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between JPG and PNG?
JPG uses lossy compression ideal for photographs, while PNG uses lossless compression and supports transparency, making it better for graphics and screenshots.
Which format keeps best quality?
PNG and TIFF maintain the highest quality as they use lossless compression. HEIC and WEBP can maintain high quality while achieving better compression than JPG.
What image format is smallest?
HEIC and WEBP typically achieve the smallest file sizes while maintaining good quality. JPG can also be very small but with more noticeable quality loss.