JPEGs versus HEIF
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Comparing HEIC and JPEG formats - The insets are 250x250 pixel uncropped excerpts from originals. |
HEIF (notice the F is not a C) is a file type for storing images. HEIC is that type of file but is proprietary to Apple and used in iOS devices like iPhones. The HEI portion stands for High Efficiency File and the F is for File format and the C is for Container. This type of file has been around since 2016 or so.
JPEGs have been around forever (1992) and for many years has been the universal standard for creating and saving image files. However, some new mirrorless cameras gives you the option to use HEIF format and most cellphones now allow saving your images in this format.
I can set my iPhone to take HEIC images, but it defaults to JPEG when using burst mode. I only learned this because I was photographing my game on Sunday and discovered my burst were JPEGS while my singles were HEIC.
HEIF formats are technically better than JPEG formats because the former involves compression but no artifact creation - the files are lossless. The latter also involves compression but do have artifacts associated with them - they are lossy in nature. The difference is that JPEGS are universally available to all devices capable of working with images, while not all devices are capable of working with HEIF images. Apples can use HEIC without problems and a Windows 11 machine can also deal with them effortlessly. Windows 10, however, requires a patch to do so, otherwise, it can't read the file. Android can open iPhones HEIF files and visa versa.
I learned a few things about these file types this weekend. Cool.
Thanks for reading.
Eric Svendsen www.ericspix.com
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