A Comparison of HEIC and JPG File Formats
If you have ever wondered what the difference is between an HEIC (High Efficiency Image File Format) and JPG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) image file, then look no further. Here we take a closer look at both image formats and analyze their differences, including their strengths and weaknesses. For detailed information about both formats, please check out these in-depth articles on Wikipedia for JPG and HEIC files.
Structure
HEIC and JPG files are similar in that they both store compressed image data in a fraction of the storage space compared to the equivalent uncompressed image. JPG files are general-purpose image files that employ efficient lossy compression algorithms to reduce file size while maintaining a good-quality image. Due to the excellent quality and small file sizes, the JPG format is an ideal candidate for use on the internet.
HEIC files are a modern alternative to JPG. The format supports both higher color depths and more advanced lossy compression, resulting in better quality compared to the JPG format. While JPG files support a maximum of 8 bits per color channel, an HEIC file can support 10-bit and 12-bit color channels.
Supported Color Formats
HEIC files support multiple images per file, whereas JPG files contain a single image. The compression algorithms used by both are quite different, with the HEIC algorithm, due to it being a more modern format, benefiting from advances in compression technology.
Some balloons captured in the HEIC format
A JPG file of some rain pots
A JPG file of a rendered dragon
Editing
The vast majority of image editing software supports JPG due to its age and industry-wide adoption and its role as one of the major standard image formats. HEIC, on the other hand, enjoys far less support, and where it is "supported" all of its features may not be supported. An example of this is Photoshop supporting HEIC files containing 8-bit color channels, but not 10-bit or 12-bit images.
File Size
Both formats implement excellent image compression, which is necessary to reduce the size of the file. JPG files use an algorithm named simply the JPEG compression algorithm, which creates files with a very small file size when compared to the original uncompressed image without any noticeable loss in quality. HEIC is a newer format and, as such, enjoys better compression, leading to smaller files whilst retaining a high-quality image.
Compatibility
As the JPG file format is considered a standard for image file formats, support for JPG files is widespread, with support for JPG files often implemented at the operating system level, meaning you do not need any specialist software to open and view JPG files. With the HEIC file format being a much more modern image file type, support for viewing and editing these is still growing. The latest version of most operating systems (including Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Ubuntu, and others) supports opening HEIC images with no specialist software. For editing HEIC files, the choice of applications is smaller compared to JPG files, and one should check for compatibility with HEIC files before investing in a particular image editing application.
Summary
For the widest possible compatibility, or if your image is destined for the web, then JPG would be the preferred format. If working with environments that support HEIC or indeed favor this format (we're looking at you, iOS), then HEIC would be the better format to use.
