JPEG uses pixels to compress photos and complex images, potentially losing some visible quality. GIF compresses simple graphics like drawings without quality loss, but only allows 256 colors and can create basic animations. PNG provides a smaller file size than GIF for simple graphics without loss of quality or animation capabilities.

1. JPEG vs. GIF vs. PNG What’s the difference?

2. JPEG

3. JPEG Stands for “Joint Photographics Expert Group“ Used to compress photos and complex images The information that is lost is mostly what humans can’t see

4. JPEG Uses small squares of shaded colours called pixels Not good for letters, drawings or simple graphics, as there is nothing to get rid of

5. GIF

6. GIF “ Graphics Interchange Format” Doesn’t remove any quality when compressing Multiple images can be combined to create simple GIF animations

7. GIF Only good for simple graphics, as it only supports 256 colours Can also be edited to be transparent, allowing background images/text to show through

8. Animated GIFs

9. PNG

10. PNG “ Portable Network Graphics” Upgraded version of GIF, as it can be the same quality but 20-25% smaller Doesn’t support animation

11. Summary JPEG: used to compress complex images by creating coloured pixels, but reduces quality GIF: used to compress simple images without loss of quality, but only supports 256 colours PNG : upgraded version of GIF but doesn’t support animation