The Different Image File Formats:

The Photographer’s Guide

Content
Introduction................................................................................................................................................................................................. 4
What Is Image File Formats....................................................................................................................................................................... 5
What Are The Different Categories Of Image Files Formats.................................................................................................................. 6
Raster Image File Formats........................................................................................................................................................................ 7
Vector Image File Formats........................................................................................................................................................................ 8
Difference Between High-Resolution Vs. Low Resolution..................................................................................................................... 9
What Are The Best Image File Formats For Photographers?.............................................................................................................. 11
JPEG (Jpg) - Joint Photographic Experts Group.......................................................................................................................................... 12
PNG - Portable Network Graphics............................................................................................................................................................... 13
RAW - Raw Image File................................................................................................................................................................................ 14
PSD - Photoshop Document...................................................................................................................................................................... 15
PDF - Portable Document Format............................................................................................................................................................... 16
GIF - Graphics Interchange Format.............................................................................................................................................................. 17
TIFF - Tagged Image File Format................................................................................................................................................................. 18
HEIF - High-efficiency Image File Format (.heic)............................................................................................................................................ 19
 BMP - Bitmap............................................................................................................................................................................................ 20
Ai - Adobe Illustrator Document................................................................................................................................................................... 21
INDD - Adobe Indesign Document.............................................................................................................................................................. 22
EPS - Encapsulated Postscript................................................................................................................................................................... 23
SVG - Scalable Vector Graphics................................................................................................................................................................. 24
What Image File Formats Are Use Mostly Used By Photographers?.................................................................................................. 25
What Are The Two Image File Formats Used For Web Pages?............................................................................................................ 26
Which Image File Formats Support Lossless Compression?.............................................................................................................. 27
Which Of The Following Digital Image Formats Compresses The Image File?................................................................................. 28
Final Thoughts.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 29
 4

Introduction
Placing precise and quality image types are the requirement
for building an optimized website. When a visitor visits your
website, the first thing that catches their attention is the visual
content. While most website uses various image file formats,
only 5.7% don’t use any image formats at all.

Moreover, the matter of regret is some photographers don’t

know which common image file formats to choose for the post-
production stage. Understanding the image format guidance
is not a difficult task.

So, here is our guide to opting and working for different image
file formats.
 5

What Is Image File Formats

When photographers finish their photoshoot, the first thing that
requires is to store their photos. When trying to store images
in a computer, they have trouble handling images. As various
image formats contain big sizes, they find it hard to store.

So, what are image file formats?

Image file formats define the typical way the information

is stored in a computer image file. It is the standard way of
arranging and storing digital images in an uncompressed or
compressed format. The different formats contain lossy or
lossless data on the image files.

The lossless image files contain uncompressed data, and it is

a big-sized file format such as raw file formats (.arw, .srf). On
the other hand, a lossy image file contains compressed data,
and it is relatively smaller in size such as JPEG.
 6

What Are The Differ-

ent Categories Of Im-
age Files Formats

As image formats include compressed or uncompressed

data, image file formats contain two major categories.

Here are two main categories of image file formats.

 7

1. Raster Image File Formats

Raster image format contains a series of pixels, blocks, and Advantage Disadvantage
more pixels’ presence defines the quality of raster images. So,
with more pixels, the raster images have more quality images Raster image clearly
it provides. shows the shadows, Stretching the images will
color shades, and result in distorted images
The common file formats such as JPEG, GIF, and PNG are the transition between colors
major image extensions of raster image file formats. Moreover,
File size may get larger
all the online and web images are examples of raster images. These image types are
as it saves the extra
Raster images are the source of high-quality drawings and the source of high quality
color and each pixel's
photographs. and detailed images.
information

Raster image file format includes static images where every Most common file types
single pixel consists of color and proportion that defines by are in raster image file Static image type
their resolution. So, because of the static type, when you formats
stretch the image, it will lose the original shape, and the image
will be distorted.
 8

2. Vector Image File Formats

The specialty of vectorized image file formats is they AI, PDF, and SVG are examples of vector file formats.
don’t include pixels. Unlike the raster image formats, the Let’s see the advantages and disadvantages below
vector image format includes a more flexible and proportional
formula. Vector images are the major source of illustrations,
Advantage Disadvantage
logos, and drawings.

Color varieties and

Vector graphics don’t use single-pixel; rather, it uses the lines Resize the image without
photographic transitions
and curves to form in the total area of the image. So, you any distortion
are hard to achieve
can effortlessly stretch the image resolution as big as an
18-wheeler! Not appropriate for high
Usually small file
detail images
Awesome, right?
 9

Difference Between
High-Resolution Vs. Low
Resolution

Difference Between High-Resolution
Vs. Low Resolution
The high and low-resolution image defines by the PPI or DPI.
PPI refers to pixels per inch, and DPI refers to dots per inch.
So, easily the high and low title defines the difference between
them.
But high resolution contains more pixels and provides crisp,
high-quality graphics while stretching the image doesn’t bring
down the quality of the image.
On the other hand, low-resolution images contain low pixels,
and if pixels are stretched, the image will be distorted.
The concept of high and low resolution will be crystal clear
with an example.
10
While capturing a photo with a high-resolution camera, it
will provide high-resolution images. For example, a high-
resolution image contains 600 PPI or 600 pixels. It means
the image contains 600 PPI in every inch of the image, and
the output image will look sharp and crisp in terms of the
density of the pixels.
On the other hand, while the camera provides low resolution,
such as 72ppi, the image will contain low pixels in every
inch. So, it will be either vague or unclear and not even
close to the 600ppi, the sharp image.
 11

What Are The Best

Image File Formats
For Photographers?

You capture high-resolution photos with your handheld camera,

but to get the high-resolution output, you need to know which
formats you should use more often.

There are abundant image file formats, but the most used file
formats are mentioned below.
 12

1. JPEG (Jpg) - Joint Photographic Ex-

perts Group
One of the most versatile image file formats is JPEG; it refers Advantage Disadvantage
to Joint Photographic Experts Groups and is a raster image
and compressed image file format. JPEG or jpg file is the lossy Compressed & lossy
Most browsers support
compressed file format that contains the reduced file size, formats lack the text
this file format
and this is the reason JPEG image format is the most used readability
extension all over the web.
Not the usual format for
Provides low file sizes crisp and crystal clear
Since compression of this file type is top-notch, JPEG file
text
format is supported by most browsers and most social media
supports JPEG file format as well.
Browser and Camera Support
• Supports major browsers and from the earlier version
of Chrome, Firefox or Safari
• Supports all digital cameras and major editing software
 13

2. PNG - Portable Network Graphics

PNG stands for Portable Network Graphics and is the most Advantage Disadvantage
used image file format that supports transparency. PNG is the
raster image file type and lossless file format. This lossless High quality and crystal
Often big file sizes would
format was introduced to use in place of GIF image file format. clear uncompressed
take a little time to load
image
The uncompressed characteristic of this file format provides
Best used for web
detail and crystal clear colors that can contain up to 16 million Not the usual format for
images and transparent
colors and is different from GIF color support, 256 colors. photos or artwork
view

Browser Support
• Most browsers support this image extension
• All the free web tools and image editors support this
format

3. RAW - Raw Image File
The name suggests it all!
Raw image file types are most valuable for snapping with detail
elements, and the processing doesn’t lose any visual appeal.
Most cameras can shoot the images in RAW.
Raw image formats can save a lot more information, but it
needs to be properly edited and processed in editing software,
for example, Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom.
If you want to transfer and resize them, you can create the
vector or raster package file type. Also, different cameras
provide various RAW image file formats.
14
• Nikon: NEF NRW (Nikon Electronic Format for Raw
images)
• Pentax: PEF (Pentax Electronic Format for Raw images)
• Sony: ARW, SRF, SR2 (Raw image file type by Sony
that uses TIFF specifications)
• Epson: ERF (Raw image file by Epson camera)
• Olympus: ORF (Raw image file for Olympus cameras)
• Kodak: CR, K25, KDC (also called Kodak Photogen
File that uses Bitmap image data)
While JPEG files provide 8-bit color, Raw image files provide
14-bit color in every image file. So, you can scale up or
down the image with more confidence.

Advantage Disadvantage
Let’s see it in a later section.

High quality and crystal Huge sizes for a

Different Raw File Formats And The Companies
clear uncompressed single image, 30 to 40
• Panasonic: RW2 (Panasonic Lumix Digital Camera image megabytes
Format)
• Canon: CRW CR2 CR3 (Canon Camera Raw image Not supported in any
Variable colors to choose
type based on TIFF format) browsers
 15

4. PSD - Photoshop Document

The title shows the workaround of this vector image file format. Since this format is not supported by any browsers, it’s not
a web-safe image file type.
This Photoshop document-saving format saves image
documents you work on the Photoshop software. Also, this
Advantage Disadvantage
specific format helps you save the progress of your work for
further usage. These files contain high-quality image data Using Photoshop,
and editing capability that includes different settings and Large file size may be
the full format is
adjustments. inconvenient for storage
customizable

Lossless and no Limited to saving and

compression at all storing projects
 16

5. PDF - Portable Document Format

This widely used format is the most popular for sharing Advantage Disadvantage
documents and uncompressed images.
This format should be
Provides high-quality
PDF file types were first introduced by Adobe. The aim was opened as a separate file
infographics and reports
to capture, review and share the high-quality information with within web content
anyone. This file format can be used to save the vector image
Include links and File size may get bigger
file and share it with anyone.
interactive actions for high-quality images

The PDF extension can carry the links, buttons, visual reports,
e-books, infographics, and high-quality visual content.
Browser Support
• It supports all the major browsers, but you need to
open the file separately
• The format is supported by the traditional document
editors, but not the image editors
 17

6. GIF - Graphics Interchange Format

GIF is another popular raster image file format and consists of Advantage Disadvantage
lossless image compression. As the GIF format is confined to
256 colors, it provides transparency and animation. GIF files are low in size 256 colors limitation may
and allow transparency lead to low-quality image
GIF file size is the most user-friendly because of its 8-bit per
Best used for web
pixel or 256 colors support and is famous as the animated file Limited number of colors
images and transparent
extension lead to limited usage
view
.

Browser Support
• This image extension is supported by major (Firefox,
Chrome, Internet Explorer) browsers
• All the free web tools, operating systems, and image
editors support this format
 18

7. TIFF - Tagged Image File Format

Here is the lossless raster image file format that doesn’t lose Advantage Disadvantage
quality at all.
These high-quality files Large file size may be
This image format is mostly used for storing and editing images are perfect for printing & inconvenient sometimes
that will be used later for printing. This lossless image format editing for storage
doesn’t lose quality despite how frequently you copy or try to
Best used prints,
compress the files.
publications & archival Limited browser support
copies
This image file type supports lossy compression but is also
used as a lossless image format as well. High-end apps like
Photoshop or illustrator support TIFF file format, and these Browser Support
• Browsers require add-ons or extensions to support
apps don’t use compression mode while editing files. So, this
this extension
format can be larger in size.
• These formats are used as an export format and used
in professional graphics designing
 19

8. HEIF - High-efficiency Image File

Format (.heic)
This file format is the direct competitor of the JPEG file format. Advantage Disadvantage
You can call this an alternative version of the JPEG file format
because of its usage in modern mobile devices such as the These files provide
Not supported by most
iPhone device. The format was first brought to light by the compressed and high-
browsers and OS
creator of the MPEG video format. quality images

Mostly used in high-end

The compression and quality of this image type are double Only great for storage
devices to store photos
the quality of the JPEG file format. The most amazing fact is
that it can hold the same file size as the JPEG file format while
holding the JPEG image criteria. Browser Support
• Don’t support any traditional browsers
• Supported only on iPhone OS and iPhone browser
 20

9. BMP - Bitmap
This obsolete image format is an uncompressed and or Advantage Disadvantage
lossless image file format. This was first introduced by Microsoft
Large file size may be
for windows. This file format forms the individual pixels that These high-quality files
inconvenient sometimes
consist of lossless quality, and this makes its file sizes huge. contain no compression
for storage

Best used proprietary,

scanning, and archival Limited software support
copies

Browser Support
• Most browsers support this image file format
• Supports default OS image editors such as Microsoft
Paint
 21

10. Ai - Adobe Illustrator Document

This Adobe image file system extension is designed to work
with vector image files. Using adobe illustrator, you can save
the work related to vector image editing and project state.

Similar to PSD, this file format also doesn’t support any

browsers nor any kind of image editing software.

Advantage Disadvantage

Great for designers, Large file size may be

artwork, print media, and inconvenient sometimes
digital graphics for storage

Use the format to work on Only applicable for Adobe

illustration illustrator
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11. INDD - Adobe Indesign Document

This specific file format is created to use in Adobe InDesign. Like PSD and AI, this format doesn’t support any browsers.
The format is intended to save the InDesign work for content,
styles, or swatches. The format is mainly used on print materials
Advantage Disadvantage
to view the content.
Save the large design Intended to use in print
The work of Adobe Photoshop and illustrator can be projects materials only
accumulated and placed in InDesign software to get the rich
design and art. Customizable elements Customizable elements
to work on projects to work on projects
 23

12. EPS - Encapsulated Postscript

This vector file system is the image file format for saving
illustration work in Adobe illustrator. EPS is designed to provide
high-quality graphical work for printing. All the design software
can create EPS.

Similar to SVG files, EPS is a text-based document that

provides output using shapes and lines without any colorful
high quality, or detailed graphics.

Advantage Disadvantage

EPS provides lossless Doesn’t support any

output browsers

Printing support for Only applicable for Adobe

designs illustrator
 24

13. SVG - Scalable Vector Graphics

This type of image file format is the vector image format and Advantage Disadvantage
is intended to work for two- dimensional images that support
Provides lossless shapes, Not the standard format
interactive graphics and animation. This was first introduced
text and simple illustration for complicated works
by W3C to use as a markup language.
Small File sizes and
This format usually works best with icons, logos, or basic Only applicable for
stretch image without any
illustrations, but they won’t work with highly detailed images or responsive web design
quality loss
complicated graphics.

Browser Support
• Most browsers support this image file format
• Only illustration application supports this format
 25

What Image File Formats Are

Use Mostly Used By Photogra-
phers?
We have covered different and the most used image formats
up until now.

But what are the most used image formats by photographers?

Photographers use JPEG, PNG, GIF, and PSD formats

for their convenience. But the most used format among
photographers is the TIFF format. It is widely used by designers
and photographers as it is the best format for post-processing.

Also, it contains the lossless image format, and you can use it
to form any kind of digital image. Photographers prefer to save
the photos in TIFF format as they can retouch their photos at
any time.
 26
What Are The Two Image File
Formats Used For Web Pages?
The most used image formats for web pages are quite a few,
but the two of the most used formats are JPEG and PNG.

As we have mentioned earlier, JPEG images can hold the color

combination of images while maintaining the lossy compression
mode. It means the size of the JPEG file formats is relatively
smaller, but the image color, contrast, and brightness can be
maintained with precision.

The smaller size and highly optimized color of the image lead
the JPEG file formats to be used all over web pages.

On the other hand, PNG file formats support millions of color

combinations while maintaining the overall quality of the
image. The most website also uses this file format to use
as a transparent image. While JPEG images provide lossy
compressed image output, PNG provides the lossless image
format.
 27

Which Image File Formats

Support Lossless Compres-
sion?
There are several lossless image formats such as RAW, BMP,
GIF, and PNG.

While RAW image file types are superior in terms of maintaining

image quality, BMP, GIF, and PNG are on the 2nd base lossless
compression file types.

RAW image files can hold a lot more information and image
detail and provide more solid image colors. On the other
hand, PNG, GIF, or BMP supports lossless compression and
results in large file size with an extra tweak in images such as
transparency or animation.
Which Of The Following Digital 28
Image Formats Compresses
The Image File?
JPEG or JPG format is the best compression format. The
advantage of this format is despite the compression, you can
barely see the quality fall down, and you can save the disk
space and bandwidth.

The issue is when stretching the image; the JPEG image

might get distorted. So, keep the image in original resolution
to maintain the color combination.

While processing an image, the JPEG file format provides a

considerably smaller file size; when it comes to PNG or another
file format, the file size becomes larger. An example will clear
up the confusion,

When processing the 22MB TIFF to JPEG, the file size gets
to 8MB. On the other hand, converting the JPEG file to PNG
provides a 28MB file size.

Which is quite astonishing!

 29

Final Thoughts
The image file formats explained above are the file types that
have been used by photographers for a long. While some file
formats may seem irrelevant, you can exclude those from your
working methods.

The comprehensive details of the image file formats list are

relatable to photography. You can use the most convenient
and common image file formats for your work but focus on
the format that can hold detail and lots of information for your
work.