PNG files support truecolor images with 16 million colors and alpha channels for transparency. They are best for images that will be edited further. JPEG files use lossy compression to produce smaller file sizes but lower quality images best as a final product. GIF files are limited to 256 colors but support animation and are best for simple images like logos. BMP files are uncompressed but widely supported on Windows.

1. By: Justin Macri, Jordan Sparks & Wesley Chan

2.  PNG - Portable Network Graphics
 JPEG - Joint Photographic Experts Group
 GIF - Graphics Interchange Format
 BMP - Windows bitmap

3.  This file format was created as the free, open-source successor to the GIF.
 The PNG file format supports truecolor (16 million colors) while the GIF
supports only 256 colors.
 PNG-8 saves to 256 colors as well, but the file size was noticeably smaller.
 The PNG file mainly used when the image has large, uniformly colored areas.
 PNG-24 contains a range of colors similar to the high colors of a JPG, but in
no means replace it because PNG file sizes are larger, since PNG files are
lossless (uses complex algorithms to cut the file size in the most efficient
way yet show an image in the most accurate form), they are best suited for
editing pictures
 PNG contains alpha channels that allow users to to specify the opacity of any
pixels from 0-255. 0 as fully transparent, 255 as fully opaque. Best suited
for making graphics where the PNG file is to be placed on top of a
background color to create a translucent effect.
 Many older browsers currently do not support the PNG file format; however,
with Mozilla Firefox or Internet Explorer 7, all contemporary web browsers
now support all common uses of the PNG format.


4.  Is a compression method
 JPEG-compressed images are usually stored in
the JFIF (JPEG File Interchange Format) file format.
 JPEG compression is (in most cases) lossy
compression.
(The quality of the image is degraded slightly in
this format)
 Nearly every digital camera can save images in
the JPEG/JFIF format, which supports 8 bits per
color (red, green, blue) for a 24-bit total,
producing relatively small files.
 The JPEG/JFIF format also is used as the image
compression algorithm in many Adobe PDF files

5.  Is limited to an 8-bit palette, or 256 colors.
 This makes the GIF format suitable for storing
graphics with relatively few colors such as simple
diagrams, shapes, logos and cartoon style
images.
 The GIF format supports animation and is still
widely used to provide image animation effects.
 (This is known as an “animated gif”)
 It also uses a lossless compression that is more
effective when large areas have a single color,
and ineffective for detailed images or dithered
images.
 Illegal to make GIF up until 4 years ago.

6.  Handles graphics files within the Microsoft
Windows OS
 Typically, BMP files are uncompressed, hence
they are large in size.
 The advantage is their simplicity and wide
acceptance in Windows programs.
 Sometimes used for vector artwork.

7. In conclusion, the different file types have
different uses on webpages and in HTML5, but
they all have the same function, to allow others
to see a picture. To summarize, PNG’s are used
when you want a lossless (yet large sized) image
that can still edit with. JPEG’s are used when you
want a final product image, that will look good
but not preferred for editing. GIF’s are useful for
small images or simple diagrams, shapes or
logos. BMP’s are used mostly in Windows
applications, however are completely lossless and
widely accepted.