JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group): JPEG is a commonly used image format that employs lossy compression, which means that some image data is discarded to reduce file size. This compression can result in a loss of image quality, especially when using high levels of compression. JPEG is suitable for photographs and images with a wide range of colors and details. It supports millions of colors and is widely supported by various devices and software. However, due to the lossy compression, it's not recommended for images with text or sharp edges, as artifacts may appear.
PNG (Portable Network Graphics): PNG is another image format, but it uses lossless compression, preserving all image data without sacrificing quality. It supports transparency and offers better quality than JPEG for images with sharp edges, text, and graphics with a limited number of colors. PNG files tend to be larger than JPEG files due to the lossless compression, which may make them less suitable for web use when file size is a concern. PNG is often used for images with transparency, such as logos and graphics with a transparent background.
PDF (Portable Document Format): PDF is a versatile file format primarily used for documents. It's designed to display documents consistently across different devices and platforms, maintaining the formatting, fonts, images, and other elements. PDF files can contain text, images, graphics, and even interactive elements. Unlike JPEG and PNG, PDF is not limited to just images; it can include multiple pages, bookmarks, hyperlinks, and form fields. PDFs are widely used for sharing documents that need to be printed or viewed consistently, such as reports, ebooks, forms, and presentations.
In summary:
JPEG is suitable for photographs and images with a wide range of colors but employs lossy compression.
PNG is ideal for images with sharp edges, text, and transparency, using lossless compression.
PDF is a versatile document format that can contain text, images, graphics, and interactive elements, ensuring consistent display across devices.