AVIF: The compression artist

AVIF (AV1 Image File Format) is one of the most promising formats that could replace JPG. It is based on the AV1 video codec and offers impressive compression performance that significantly reduces the size of photos while maintaining the same quality. With support for HDR and a color depth of up to 12 bits per channel as well as transparency options, AVIF is particularly future-proof.

Another advantage of AVIF is its ability to display animations, making it a modern and more efficient alternative to the outdated GIF format. It has been supported by the most important browsers such as Chrome and Firefox since 2020, and Apple also followed suit with Safari in 2022.

JPEG XL: the logical successor

JPEG XL is designed as the direct successor to the JPG format. It offers a similar user-friendliness and is highly compatible, while at the same time enabling more efficient compression. With JPEG XL, users can easily save 50 to 75 per cent of storage space without compromising image quality. It also supports a color depth of up to 32 bits and huge resolutions, which makes it particularly attractive for professional applications.

WebP: The all-rounder for the web

WebP, a format developed by Google, is particularly important for the web. It combines the advantages of JPG and PNG by supporting both lossy and lossless compression as well as transparency.

WebP scores particularly well for images with transparent backgrounds and is already integrated into many web applications such as WordPress and Twitter. However, despite its advantages, WebP has not yet achieved the same popularity as JPG.

HEIC and HEIF: Apple’s foray into the future

With HEIC (High Efficiency Image Coding) and HEIF (High Efficiency Image Format), Apple has introduced its own image format, which is primarily used on iPhones and some top-of-the-line cameras. It offers better compression with the same quality, supports transparency, and a color depth of up to 16 bits. HEIC/HEIF could replace the JPG format in the long term, but has the disadvantage of incurring license fees for encoding.”