What is the difference between JPG and PNG?

You all must have used the image but when you take a photo with your smartphone, you must have seen that the format of the image is in JPG or PNG and these two are different. So today in this post we will know that what is the difference between JPG and PNG.

What is JPG (JPEG)

JPG (also known as JPEG) is a popular image file format that uses lossy compression to reduce the file size of digital images. It was created by the Joint Photographic Experts Group in the late 1980s as a standard for compressing and storing photographic images in digital form.

JPG files can be opened and viewed on almost all devices and operating systems, and they are commonly used for storing and sharing photographs, graphics, and other types of images. The degree of compression applied to a JPG image can be adjusted to achieve a balance between image quality and file size, with higher compression resulting in smaller file sizes but also more loss of detail and image quality.

JPG (JPEG) Full Form - Joint Photographic Experts Group

JPG (JPEG) is a file type developed by the Joint Photographic Experts Group. JPG supports 24 bits per pixel, each 8 bits for brightness, blue, and red, which make up the TrueColor format and display more than 1.6 million colors.

JPG images are best for photographic, natural artwork, and realistic images. JPG can only handle still images.

Although JPG supports 16 million colors and can produce very high-quality images, it also has some disadvantages. Its compression method is harmful to the image, which means that the image you get after decompression is not the same as the original image and it loses clarity and sharpness. Additionally, JPG doesn't work well for line drawing, simple cartoons, letters, or simple graphics.

Unfortunately, JPG does not support transparency and animation.

Because this format is compressed, it is widely used for the web.

Advantage of JPG

The main advantages of the JPG (JPEG) image format are:

1. Small file size: JPG files can be compressed to a small size while maintaining a good level of image quality. This makes them ideal for storing and sharing photographs and other large images over the internet.

2. Wide compatibility: JPG files can be opened and viewed on almost all devices and operating systems, including web browsers, image viewers, and photo editing software.

3. Adjustable compression: JPG compression can be adjusted to balance image quality and file size. This allows for a range of compression levels to be applied to an image, depending on the specific use case.

4. Ease of use: JPG files are easy to create, edit, and share. Most digital cameras and smartphones use JPG as their default image format, and many image editing software applications support the format.

5. Progressive rendering: JPG images can be encoded to allow for progressive rendering, meaning that the image is displayed gradually as more data is downloaded. This can be useful for large images that take a long time to load over the internet.

Disadvantage of JPG

The main disadvantages of the JPG (JPEG) image format are:

1. Lossy compression: JPG uses lossy compression to reduce file size, which means that some image data is discarded during the compression process. This can result in a loss of image quality, particularly in areas with fine details or subtle color variations.

2. Artifacts: JPG compression can produce artifacts, such as compression artifacts, blocking, and color banding. These artifacts can be visible in areas of the image with high contrast or sharp edges.

3. Limited transparency: JPG does not support transparency, which can make it difficult to use for certain types of images, such as logos, icons, and other graphics that require a transparent background.

4. Limited color support: JPG uses a limited color palette, which can result in color shifts or banding in areas of the image with subtle color variations.

5. No support for animations: JPG is a static image format and does not support animations, which can limit its usefulness for certain types of multimedia applications.

What is PNG

PNG (Portable Network Graphics) is a popular image file format that uses lossless compression to reduce the file size of digital images. Unlike JPG, PNG is a lossless format, meaning that it preserves all of the original image data, including any transparency or alpha channels that may be present.

PNG was created as an alternative to the proprietary GIF format, which was widely used for web graphics in the 1990s but had several limitations, including a limited color palette and a patent-related licensing requirement. PNG was designed to address these limitations and provide a more flexible and open format for web graphics.

PNG files can be opened and viewed on almost all devices and operating systems, and they are commonly used for storing and sharing images with transparency, such as logos, icons, and illustrations. However, because PNG files are typically larger than comparable JPG files, they may not be the best choice for images where file size is a concern.

PNG Full Form - Portable Network Graphics

PNG stands for Portable Network Graphics and is an improved form of the non-patented Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) and is the most commonly used lossless image compression format on the Internet. It supports lossless image compression.

Supports images based on the PNG palette. It supports 8-bit color like GIF, but it also supports 24-bit color RGB like JPG. PNG files are lossless for compression, which means they don't lose their quality during editing.

There are many options for transparency in PNG. PNG-24 and PNG-32 support transparency, but they are more advanced than GIF.

Advantage of PNG

The main advantages of the PNG (Portable Network Graphics) image format are:

1. Lossless compression: PNG uses lossless compression, meaning that it preserves all of the original image data without sacrificing image quality or detail. This makes it ideal for images that require high levels of detail and clarity, such as logos, icons, and other graphics.

2. Transparency support: PNG supports transparency and alpha channels, allowing for images with transparent backgrounds or partial transparency. This makes it ideal for use in web graphics, as well as in applications such as print design and image editing.

3. Wide color support: PNG supports a wide range of color depths and color modes, making it well-suited for images with a wide range of color variations and subtleties.

4. Wide compatibility: PNG files can be opened and viewed on almost all devices and operating systems, including web browsers, image viewers, and photo editing software.

5. Lossless edits: PNG files can be edited and saved without losing any image quality or detail, making them ideal for workflows that require multiple edits or revisions.

Disadvantage of PNG

The main disadvantages of the PNG (Portable Network Graphics) image format are:

1. Large file size: PNG files can be significantly larger than other image formats, such as JPG, due to their lossless compression method. This can make them less suitable for use in situations where file size is a concern, such as web graphics or mobile apps.

2. Limited compatibility with older software: Some older software applications and web browsers may not support the PNG format or may not render PNG images correctly, which can limit its usefulness in certain contexts.

3. Limited animation support: PNG is primarily a still image format and does not support animations or moving images, which can make it less suitable for multimedia applications.

4. Limited compression options: While PNG uses lossless compression, it does not offer as much control over the compression process as some other formats, such as TIFF or RAW. This can limit its usefulness for certain types of images or workflows.

Difference between JPG and PNG

So far above we have known what are JPG and PNG files, if you have read all the above things carefully, then you must have come to know about the difference between JPG, and PNG files.

If you still have any confusion in understanding what is the difference between JPG, and PNG files, then now we are going to tell you some important differences between them below.

The main differences between JPG and PNG are the compression method used and the types of images they are best suited for

1. Compression: JPG uses lossy compression, meaning that it discards some of the original image data to reduce file size. This can result in a loss of image quality or detail, particularly in areas with fine textures or subtle color variations. PNG uses lossless compression, meaning that it preserves all of the original image data, resulting in higher-quality images with no loss of detail.

2. Transparency: PNG supports transparency and alpha channels, allowing for images with transparent backgrounds or partial transparency. JPG does not support transparency and cannot be used for images with transparent backgrounds.

3. Color support: JPG is best suited for images with lots of colors and variations, such as photographs. PNG is better suited for images with solid colors and sharp edges, such as logos, icons, and illustrations.

4. File size: Because JPG uses lossy compression, it can achieve much smaller file sizes than PNG for the same level of image quality. However, this comes at the cost of some loss of detail and image quality.

conclusion

JPG is best suited for photographs and other images with lots of colors and variations, where file size is a concern, while PNG is best suited for images with transparency, solid colors, and sharp edges, where preserving image quality and detail is a priority.