{"id":868,"date":"2025-02-10T01:42:08","date_gmt":"2025-02-10T01:42:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.batterymap.co.nz\/blog\/?p=868"},"modified":"2025-02-10T01:42:08","modified_gmt":"2025-02-10T01:42:08","slug":"what-is-a-jpeg-file-type-why-the-most-common-image-format-may-not-be-the-best-option-for-photography","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.batterymap.co.nz\/blog\/2025\/02\/10\/what-is-a-jpeg-file-type-why-the-most-common-image-format-may-not-be-the-best-option-for-photography\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a JPEG file type? Why the most common image format may not be the best option for photography"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Here’s everything you need to know about JPEGs, one of the most widely used file formats for photographs<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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While much of the technology behind digital cameras has changed since the first prototypes, one feature that\u2019s nearly as old hasn\u2019t: the JPEG. A JPEG is one of the most widely used file formats for a digital photograph. The file format\u2019s widespread popularity means the file can be opened by nearly any device and thousands, if not millions, of different programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to share a digital photograph, the odds are the file type that you want is a JPEG. But just because the JPEG is one of the most widely used formats doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019salways<\/em>the best option. Photographers \u2013 and anyone who has ever snapped a photo with a camera or a smartphone \u2013 should know what a JPEG is, when to use one, and when not to use one. Consider this your Photography 101 course to the ins and outs of a JPEG.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is a JPEG file type? Explaining the most common image format<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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A JPEG is a compressed, processed image file that is easily shared. Because the JPEG is one of the world\u2019s most widely used file formats for a digital image, it\u2019s typically the best file format for an image that\u2019s meant to be shared. If you want to share a photograph, whether through email, social media or uploading it to a photo printer, a JPEG is the file type you want because anyone can open one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

JPEG stands for Joint Photographics Experts Group<\/a>, the name of the committee that maintains the list of standards for the JPEG file type. But don\u2019t worry, you don\u2019t have to memorize the long name to understand and use a JPEG properly. The JPEG was first developed in the late 1980s, with the standards first published in 1992, to create a smaller yet standarized digital image file type. Before the JPEG, graphics were often saved as Bitmaps, which took up quite a bit of hard drive space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

JPEG files end in .JPG. A JPEG and JPG are the same thing, but file formats typically only have three letters so the E is dropped in the file extension. If a file ends in .JPG, it\u2019s a JPEG. You can also check the file type by viewing the files in File Explorer (on PC) or Finder (on Mac) and look under the file type column in the list view. On a smartphone, you can check the file type by clicking on the photo in the Camera Roll (iPhone) or Google Photos and tapping the i icon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because a JPEG can be opened by nearly any device, the file format is often the best choice formost people<\/em>when saving a photo that is meant to be shared. But, understanding a few other key image file formats will help you determine if the JPEG is the best choice for your particular project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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JPEG isn\u2019t always the best file format for photography, this is why<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The RAW file type is often favored by advanced photographers for its editing flexibility<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psst! Here’s a hint<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t know whether to use RAW or JPEG? Most cameras will allow you to select RAW + JPEG to save both file types.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While JPEGS are one of the most widely image formats used, it\u2019s not the best for every situation. If you don\u2019t want to edit the image and aren\u2019t short on hard drive space, then the JPEG is a great format to use. But file types like HEIF save space on your device while RAW files are more versatile for photo editing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HEIF, or High Effeciency Image Format<\/strong>, is a file type that takes up less space than a JPEG, without a noticeable impact on image quality. However, HEIF isn\u2019t as widely compatible as the standard JPEG. An HEIF file can be opened by mostAppledevices, while many Windows users need to download extra software to be able to open them, and if you send an HEIF by text to an Android phone, it looks tiny. Apple also has a similar format called HEIC that\u2019s newer though less widely compatible than HEIF.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PNG or Portable Network Graphic<\/strong>is a file type that\u2019s designed more for graphic design than for photographs. But while photographs are easiest to save as a JPEG, you may need to use the PNG format for things like logos and, in particular, graphics designed to have a transparent background.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A RAW file<\/strong>is uncompressed and often preferred by professional and advanced photographers. A JPEG is a compressed image file with the camera\u2019s automatic edits already applied. A RAW file doesn\u2019t have any edits applied from the camera and it retains more of the original data, which makes the file type better for photo editing.It\u2019s worth noting, when comparingRAW and JPEG, that once photographers edit their RAW photos, they typically export the finished file as a JPEG so it can be easily shared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n