Difference Between JPEG & PNG Photo Format in 2024

The two most common image formats are JPEG and PNG. Even if you don’t have a solid knowledge of Photoshop, you must know about the two formats. It’s too common! 

Most people use JPEG or PNG formats while saving images. However, do you know the difference between JPEG & PNG photo formats? If not, this article can be a go-through portal for you. Learn the difference between the two image file formats, and you will know how to select them for your work ideally. 

Let’s cut the words short, and start already. By the end of our article, we will know, all about these two image formats and how to use them properly. 

You must be thinking what’s so serious use case with two image formats? It’s because both image formats are different in size and quality. JPEG may not fit somewhere quality means more than size. Let’s start. 

Difference Between JPEG & PNG Photo Format

Before we directly get into the difference between JPEG and PNG photo formats, wouldn’t it be wise to have a good start with the two? Here’s what JPEG and PNG mean – 

What Is A JPEG Image Type? 

The format is known as JPEG. It was standardized in the late 1980s and early 1990s by the Joint Photographic Experts Group, an international organization. It’s the standard file format for digital photographs, and it has been since photographers began shooting and saving images on digital cameras and other reproduction devices.

Up to 24-bit color is supported via JPEG files, which also employ lossy compression to reduce picture size for easier emailing and storing. This may make JPEGs more suitable for everyday usage, but it requires surrendering some of the original image quality.

JPEG formats include the following filename extensions:.jpg,.jpeg,.jpe,.jif,.jfif,.jf.

What Is A PNG Image Type? 

PNG files are commonly used on websites to display high-quality digital images. PNGs were designed to outperform GIF files, providing not just lossless compression but also a considerably larger and brighter color palette. Continue reading to learn about PNGs’ advantages and disadvantages, primary applications, and how to make a PNG picture.

Unlike JPG, PNG stands for Portable Network Graphic, a sort of raster image file. It is a popular file format among web designers because it can handle graphics with translucent or semi-transparent backgrounds. Because the file format is not trademarked, you may open a PNG with any image editing program without having to purchase a license.

PNG files, which have the.png extension, can accommodate 16 million colors, which distinguishes them from other file formats.

Learn more about the 3 Best Image File Type for Product Photography & Post Processing

Here’s the Difference Between JPEG & PNG Photo Format

PNGs and JPGs each have advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to learn all of the different formats. However, the optimal file type for you will be determined by how you want to use it. While PNGs provide high-quality compression, JPGs use less space and load quicker on the web. 

1) File Size 

The Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) created the JPG, which is generally pronounced “jay-peg” in 1992. The group recognized the need to reduce enormous photo files so that they could be more readily shared.

When you convert a photo to a JPG, it loses some quality. This is because the compression is ‘lossy’, which implies that some superfluous information is permanently removed. However, a JPG allows you to produce lower file sizes than a PNG.

Anytime it’s crucial to have a compact file, a JPG should be utilized. Beyond saving an image as a JPG, there are techniques available to further compress the file. This is beneficial for online pictures since smaller files improve the speed with which the web page loads.  

Although contemporary broadband and fiber optic internet connections have made this less of a problem, individuals with slower connections or less capable PCs will appreciate it.

2) Image Quality 

The Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) was replaced in 1994 by the PNG file format, which is commonly pronounced as “ping.” We won’t get into why — this is about PNG versus JPG, after all — but let’s just say that the GIF had significant restrictions that led to the design and widespread use of the PNG.

The ability that PNG files to enable transparent pixels is a significant advantage and is frequently a determining factor in their use. This implies that you may have a transparent backdrop around an irregular-shaped item without using a white (or other colored) box to outline your image. So, if you want transparency, you will need a PNG.

3) Compression Speed 

JPGs download and distribute considerably more quickly across various devices, networks, and online platforms because of their smaller file sizes, which also result in speedier load times. Once more, if you are a website manager, you will probably appear higher in Google search results if your page runs quickly. Even if it’s only a few microseconds quicker, every bit counts. 

Because JPG files are made to efficiently compress picture data, they take up less space on your website or storage device. This is ideal for individuals who have limited storage space or manage websites with a large number of images. 

4) Compatibility

JPG files are supported by almost every picture viewer, editing tool, and gadget on the market, making them a reliable choice for the majority of applications.

Photos captured in JPG format typically require less post-production effort. White balance, contrast, and sharpness are generally pre-adjusted, saving photographers a significant amount of time when editing photographs.

5) Transparency

One of the main distinctions between PNG and JPG photos is their transparent backgrounds. Transparent backgrounds are often not supported by JPG photos. As a result, if your backdrop is transparent, you should use a PNG picture. The backdrop quality will be considerably better preserved.

Summary of the Difference Between JPEG & PNG Photo Format

The photos’ quality is something else to think about. Because they need to store more photographs on their devices, photographers typically utilize JPG images. To include the most photographs, they require a reduced file size. However, you must maintain the file’s definition if your image has a lot of text or fine details, as well as sharp lines. Then, you ought to use a PNG picture in its place.

So, Which One’s Right for You – JPG or PNG? 

There are several aspects to consider when deciding which compression method to utilize and which file format is most suited to your requirements.

It is important to preserve the quality of your photos, but it’s also important to make sure the file size is appropriate for the intended use. Because of this, you should use the greatest program available to suit your demands, especially if you wish to stay competitive in the modern commercial environment.