GIF:
PROS:
They are always reduced to 256 colors, making for fast-loading visuals.
If you are working with small graphics like banners, charts and buttons, GIF is the best format for the job.
CONS:
GIF isn’t recommended for files with a large range of colors, like photographs or other detailed imagery.
You would use GIF for small graphics with limited colour, but not for photographs.
TIFF:
PROS:
TIFF is best for any bitmap images that you intend to edit.
TIFF files offer options to use tags, layers, and transparency, and are compatible with photo manipulation programs like Photoshop.
CONS:
TIFF doesn’t compress to make for smaller files, because they are meant to preserve quality.
If you are looking for a small file or a web-friendly format, TIFF isn’t recommended.
You would use it for editing and storage but not for online images.
PNG:
PROS:
PNG files support millions of colors, plus varying degrees of transparency — so they are perfect for graphic image files, like logos and infographics.
CONS:
PNG isn’t compatible with all software or applications. If your goal is to find a file format for widespread use, PNG might complicate the process.
You would use it for graphics and small files for the web but not for photos for widespread use.
RAW:
PROS:
Raw files again have the advantage of holding more information before any processing has taken place.
Raw mode on today's cameras may hold either 12 or 14 bits per channel, which gives the potential for 42bit colour images.
A Raw file has a far higher tolerance to processing and is able to maintain subtle details to a greater degree, such as in highlight and shadow areas.
Furthermore, any mistakes can easily be changed without fuss - it's only when you output that Raw file from the editing space for further processing, or save it in another format, that you need to make sure your editing hasn't compromised image quality. This is known as non-destructive editing, as your editing is saved alongside the original Raw file, rather than affecting the file directly.
CONS:
The format forgoes the processing that a JPEG file receives in camera, and with it the compression of the file. As such, a Raw file will take up considerably more room, and will slow down any continuous shooting as your camera records the information to the card. Opening up your Raw file on a computer will reveal it to be relatively 'flat', with low contrast, poor sharpness and possibly even noise - and as it hasn't yet been processed, this shouldn't come as much of a surprise.
A raw file is a collection of unprocessed data. This means the file has not been altered, compressed, or manipulated in any way by the computer. Raw files are often used as data files by software programs that load and process the data. A popular type of raw file is "Camera RAW," which is generated by a digital camera. Instead of processing the image captured by the camera, the data is left unprocessed and uncompressed until it is opened with a computer program.
JPEG:
PROS:
JPEG is the go-to format for online photos. It supports a full spectrum of colors, and almost all devices and programs can open and save to the JPEG format — making it the most universal of the four. JPEG files are ideal when you want to keep file size down and don’t mind giving up a little quality to create a very small file.
CONS:
JPEG quality drops when images are edited and saved. If you plan to continually edit your files, JPEG is not the format for the job.
You would use it for photographs on the web but not for editing images.
WHAT IS RGB?
RGB is a file extension for an image file created on a Silicon Graphics workstation. RGB files can contain Run Length Encoding (RLE) compressed or uncompressed images in grayscale or color, and also supports optional transparency. RGB files can be opened and edited by most image editors, such as Adobe Photoshop and the GIMP.
If the output will be on a computer monitor then RGB is the way to go.
WHAT IS CMYK?
CMYK format refers to a code for colour models where the processing of colour is presented as a mixture of black, yellow, magenta and cyan. This model for colour is regarded as the standard when offset printing full coloured documents. The acronym stands for Cyan – Magenta – Yellow – Black.
Use CMYK on all printing needs, as the color will appear differently if printed in RGB.
PROS:
They are always reduced to 256 colors, making for fast-loading visuals.
If you are working with small graphics like banners, charts and buttons, GIF is the best format for the job.
CONS:
GIF isn’t recommended for files with a large range of colors, like photographs or other detailed imagery.
You would use GIF for small graphics with limited colour, but not for photographs.
TIFF:
PROS:
TIFF is best for any bitmap images that you intend to edit.
TIFF files offer options to use tags, layers, and transparency, and are compatible with photo manipulation programs like Photoshop.
CONS:
TIFF doesn’t compress to make for smaller files, because they are meant to preserve quality.
If you are looking for a small file or a web-friendly format, TIFF isn’t recommended.
You would use it for editing and storage but not for online images.
PNG:
PROS:
PNG files support millions of colors, plus varying degrees of transparency — so they are perfect for graphic image files, like logos and infographics.
CONS:
PNG isn’t compatible with all software or applications. If your goal is to find a file format for widespread use, PNG might complicate the process.
You would use it for graphics and small files for the web but not for photos for widespread use.
RAW:
PROS:
Raw files again have the advantage of holding more information before any processing has taken place.
Raw mode on today's cameras may hold either 12 or 14 bits per channel, which gives the potential for 42bit colour images.
A Raw file has a far higher tolerance to processing and is able to maintain subtle details to a greater degree, such as in highlight and shadow areas.
Furthermore, any mistakes can easily be changed without fuss - it's only when you output that Raw file from the editing space for further processing, or save it in another format, that you need to make sure your editing hasn't compromised image quality. This is known as non-destructive editing, as your editing is saved alongside the original Raw file, rather than affecting the file directly.
CONS:
The format forgoes the processing that a JPEG file receives in camera, and with it the compression of the file. As such, a Raw file will take up considerably more room, and will slow down any continuous shooting as your camera records the information to the card. Opening up your Raw file on a computer will reveal it to be relatively 'flat', with low contrast, poor sharpness and possibly even noise - and as it hasn't yet been processed, this shouldn't come as much of a surprise.
A raw file is a collection of unprocessed data. This means the file has not been altered, compressed, or manipulated in any way by the computer. Raw files are often used as data files by software programs that load and process the data. A popular type of raw file is "Camera RAW," which is generated by a digital camera. Instead of processing the image captured by the camera, the data is left unprocessed and uncompressed until it is opened with a computer program.
JPEG:
PROS:
JPEG is the go-to format for online photos. It supports a full spectrum of colors, and almost all devices and programs can open and save to the JPEG format — making it the most universal of the four. JPEG files are ideal when you want to keep file size down and don’t mind giving up a little quality to create a very small file.
CONS:
JPEG quality drops when images are edited and saved. If you plan to continually edit your files, JPEG is not the format for the job.
You would use it for photographs on the web but not for editing images.
WHAT IS RGB?
RGB is a file extension for an image file created on a Silicon Graphics workstation. RGB files can contain Run Length Encoding (RLE) compressed or uncompressed images in grayscale or color, and also supports optional transparency. RGB files can be opened and edited by most image editors, such as Adobe Photoshop and the GIMP.
If the output will be on a computer monitor then RGB is the way to go.
WHAT IS CMYK?
CMYK format refers to a code for colour models where the processing of colour is presented as a mixture of black, yellow, magenta and cyan. This model for colour is regarded as the standard when offset printing full coloured documents. The acronym stands for Cyan – Magenta – Yellow – Black.
Use CMYK on all printing needs, as the color will appear differently if printed in RGB.
