You’ve just taken a photo and when you go to transfer it, you come across a strange file extension. HEIC, RAW, PNG… You’re not quite sure what’s going on. It’s a situation that lots of people find themselves in, and you should know that it’s perfectly normal. The world of photo formats may seem complicated at first glance, but it actually follows a fairly simple logic once you look into it a little. Each format has been designed to meet a specific need, and knowing which one to use can really improve the quality of your images or save you precious time. We’ll explain it all.
What are the different photo formats?
Before choosing a format, you first need to understand what lies behind each one. JPEG, PNG, HEIC, RAW… these file extensions you come across every day are not interchangeable. Each serves a very specific purpose, relating to compression, image quality or compatibility with your devices. Here’s an overview to help you make sense of it all.
JPEG, PNG, HEIC, RAW, TIFF, WEBP… a comprehensive guide to formats
You’re familiar with JPEG, as it’s undoubtedly the most widely used format in the world. It compresses images to reduce their file size. This makes it very practical for sharing photos online or via email. This compression results in a slight loss of quality, but in the vast majority of cases, it’s completely imperceptible to the naked eye. You could say it’s the everyday format, the one you probably use without even thinking about it.
PNG, on the other hand, works differently. Its compression is known as ‘lossless’, meaning the image retains all its original details. It also supports transparency, making it a very attractive choice for graphic designers and content creators. On the other hand, as you might expect, PNG files are significantly larger than JPEGs.
HEIC is a newer format, developed by Apple and introduced on the iPhone from 2017 onwards. It offers image quality comparable to, or even superior to, JPEG, whilst being half the size. Its main drawback is inevitably its limited compatibility outside the Apple ecosystem.
The RAW format, on the other hand, isn’t really a standardised format but rather a family of formats. It captures the raw data from the camera’s sensor, without any compression or processing. It is undoubtedly the format of choice for photographers who wish to edit their images with complete freedom in post-production using a photo editing tool.
Have you ever heard of TIFF? It is a professional format, widely used in printing and publishing. It preserves maximum quality but, on the other hand, generates extremely large files. It is rarely found in mainstream use.
Finally, we can mention WebP, a format developed by Google, designed for the web. It combines efficient compression with good visual quality and is gradually becoming the norm on websites to speed up loading times.
Which is the smallest file format? Which is the lightest photo format?
The size of a photo file depends on several factors, including the image resolution, the level of compression applied and whether or not there is any additional data. But if we had to pick a clear winner in terms of file size, JPEG would remain the everyday champion, as mentioned earlier.
For the same photo taken in high resolution, a JPEG file can weigh between 2 and 6 MB on average, whereas a PNG of the same image can easily exceed 10 to 15 MB. HEIC performs even better than JPEG in this respect, with files around half the size for equivalent quality. This is, in fact, one of the reasons why Apple has adopted this format on its mobile devices.
Google’s WebP follows this same trend. For web use, it produces very compact files without sacrificing image sharpness.
At the other end of the spectrum, RAW and TIFF files are by far the heaviest. Bear in mind that a RAW file from a professional camera can easily reach 25 to 50 MB per image. This size is due to the amount of information recorded, which is far richer than in any compressed format.
The choice of the lightest format therefore depends on your needs. For quick sharing and efficient storage, JPEG and HEIC are clearly your best options. For maximum quality without compromise, you’ll need to accept larger files.
JPEG, PNG, HEIC: which one should you choose depending on your needs?
JPEG, PNG and HEIC are probably the three formats you come across most often, whether on your phone, your computer or online. However, they aren’t quite suited to the same needs. Here’s how to choose between them.
Which is better, JPEG or PNG?
It all depends on what you want to do with your images. JPEG stands out for its practicality. It produces lightweight files that are compatible with absolutely every device and platform. Whether you’re sharing holiday memories, posting photos on social media, or simply storing a large number of images without filling up your hard drive, it does the job remarkably well. Its compression results in a slight loss of image quality, but, as mentioned, this is imperceptible in most everyday situations.
PNG, on the other hand, excels where JPEG shows its limitations. Its lossless compression guarantees absolute fidelity to the original image. Every pixel is preserved exactly as it is, without artefacts or degradation. This is a valuable advantage for technical images, screenshots, logos or any visuals containing text, particularly thanks to its handling of transparency.
In practice, if you’re photographing landscapes, portraits or everyday scenes, JPEG will easily meet almost all your needs. If you’re working on visuals intended to be edited, layered or integrated into graphic designs, PNG will be better suited to your workflow.
Is HEIC or PNG the better quality format?
The quality of a photo format isn’t measured solely in pixels. It also depends on how the data is compressed and what is retained or sacrificed in the process.
HEIC uses advanced compression that allows it to store very high-quality images at a reduced file size. Apple has placed its full faith in this format precisely because it offers image quality comparable to JPEG, and even slightly superior in certain details. All whilst taking up half the space – that’s pretty impressive. For photos taken on a smartphone and intended to be viewed on a screen, the visual quality of HEIC is truly remarkable.
As for PNG, it doesn’t compress in the usual sense. It saves the image without altering a single detail. From a purely technical standpoint, no compressed format can rival it in terms of fidelity to the original image. But, as you’ll have realised, this perfection comes at a cost: much larger files that aren’t always practical for standard photographic use.
In short, if you’re looking for a balance between quality and file size on mobile devices, HEIC stands up very well to comparison. If you need impeccable quality for professional or creative use, PNG remains a more than solid standard.
Why are my photos in HEIC rather than JPG?
If you own a recent iPhone or iPad, you may have noticed that your photos are automatically saved in HEIC rather than JPEG. This choice is not insignificant.
As briefly explained above, Apple introduced the HEIC format as the default from iOS 11, released in 2017. This format therefore allows you to store twice as many photos for the same amount of storage space. On a device with limited memory, such as the iPhone, this is a tangible and immediate advantage.
HEIC uses a more recent compression technology than JPEG, which has been around since the 1990s. It also handles colour nuances and gradients better, resulting in photos that are more true to life. This is particularly noticeable in high-contrast scenes.
The problem arises when sharing. Some Android devices, Windows software or online platforms do not yet natively support HEIC. You then end up with files that your friends and family cannot always open easily.
Rest assured, there is a very simple solution to this. In your iPhone settings, you can choose to automatically convert your photos to JPEG when sending them to an incompatible device. Your phone continues to save them as HEIC internally, but converts them on the fly when sharing. It’s convenient and seamless.
The RAW format: the choice of discerning photographers
There comes a point in many photographers’ careers when JPEG is no longer enough. You start wanting more control over your images, more freedom in post-processing. It is often at this stage that you’ll start using the RAW format. Although less well-known to the general public, it is nevertheless at the heart of the work of many professionals and enthusiasts. Here’s why.
Why are my photos in RAW? What is the benefit of the RAW format?
If your photos are saved in RAW, it is because your camera has been configured to capture the raw data from the sensor, without any automatic processing. This setting is usually adjusted in the camera menu. It is often deliberately enabled by photographers who wish to work on their images in depth after shooting.
That is precisely the advantage of RAW. When your camera saves a JPEG, it makes a series of decisions for you. It automatically adjusts the white balance, saturation, contrast and sharpness. These adjustments are often correct, but they are final. Once the JPEG file is saved, you have very little scope to go back.
With RAW, nothing is set in stone. You can retrieve all the information captured by the sensor, without any loss. The white balance can be completely adjusted after the shot. Blown-out highlights can sometimes be recovered and blocked-up shadows can be brightened without degrading the image. It’s a freedom that discerning photographers are no longer willing to give up once they’ve had a taste of it.
RAW is also particularly useful in difficult lighting conditions. Indoors, in backlight, at sunset… all those situations where exposure is tricky to get right on the spot. The RAW file gives you a second chance to correct things calmly, in front of your screen.
On the other hand, you need to be prepared to accept a few limitations. RAW files are large, sometimes ten to twenty times larger than an equivalent JPEG. They require editing software to be opened and processed, such as Lightroom, Capture One or even the software supplied with your camera. And, of course, they cannot be shared directly on social media or via email without first being converted.
So which photo format should you choose in the end?
Each format has its own purpose, and none is fundamentally better than another. It all depends on what you do with your images. For easy sharing and storage, JPEG remains a safe bet. For flawless quality on mobile devices, HEIC delivers on its promises. For precise post-processing work, RAW is the natural choice.
The key is to understand what you expect from your photography. Once you’ve asked yourself that question, the right format becomes clear. And if you want to take your photography even further, the equipment you use also plays an important role. At Agfa Photo, you’ll find cameras suited to all levels, from curious beginners to the most seasoned photographers, to capture every moment with the quality it deserves.
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