JPG vs JPEG: Difference and Comparison

When dealing with images, we come across two popular extensions, JPG and JPEG. Sometimes, this can be confusing because they are so similar that it can be difficult to distinguish between them.

The two are widely used in online projects.

Both formats are still all around the net, meaning most pictures we download are in JPG and JPEG. Of course, we also see formats that may sound familiar, like PNG and GIF.

What makes JPG so unique and famous is its size since it is relatively smaller than other formats. However, not many people can tell the difference between JPG and JPEG.

Key Takeaways

1. JPG and JPEG are two file formats for digital images.
2. JPG is a shortened version of JPEG, and both refer to the same image format that uses lossy compression to reduce file size.
3. JPG and JPEG are widely used for storing and sharing digital photos.

JPG vs JPEG

The difference between JPG and JPEG is .jpg is a short version of the .jpeg extension. JPG is a three-lettered file extension, whereas JPEG is of four letters. JPEG gives the better colour quality of files than JPG. The former version of the latter, although they both are commonly used image file extensions.

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Comparison Table

Parameter of Comparison	JPG	JPEG
Where we find it most	It’s more common on computers with old versions of Windows	It’s standard on computers with new Windows versions. The PC automatically changes the format to JPEG.
Letter Formatting	It is a three-letter file format, which has become standard on most computers and smaller devices.	It belongs to the new trend of multiple-letter formats, which has gained popularity recently.
Editing programs that use it	Still, some editing program versions save JPG files	JPEG is the format new editing program versions save. These programs include the new versions of Photoscape, Photoshop, and Photos Pos Pro.
Acronym	JPG is the shortened acronym that stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group	JPEG is the company’s complete name that created this extension, Joint Photographic Experts Group.
Which one is more popular	More popular than JPEG	Less famous, but people utilize it without realizing it.
Quality and improvements	Image clarity can be compromised by reducing or amplifying size and volume.	Image clarity and details can be affected by size modification, but updates are helping users out with this problem.

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What is JPG?

When we spoke of JPG, we realize that there are no differences between JPG and JPEG; they are practically the same thing.

Since JPG is also a file extension that works well for lossy graphics, it can be interchangeably used with JPEG.

In the past, Windows had established a rule that only allowed three-format extensions, giving birth to an endless number of three-letter extensions, among which JPG emerged.

JPG is an extension used by digital cameras that consists of two segments and sub-formats. Some people still save in JPG format because it’s an excellent format for saving small pictures that do not take up too much space.

 

What is JPEG?

JPEG is a file extension whose acronym stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group. The ISO standard of this format was launched at the beginning of the ’90s.

This extension is a bitmap compression format mostly used for lossy compression.

JPEG is a flexible extension with a compression ratio from 10:1 to 20:1, which can be perfectly adjusted. Also, the balance between storage size and quality is determined.

This is the extension that most digital cameras and photo-sharing devices are using right now.

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Main Differences Between JPG and JPEG

1. The difference lies in the way Windows versions support file extensions when they don’t have a three-letter format. Some computers may only support jpeg, while others still work with three format extensions.
2. If an image, for example, has a .jpeg extension on an old computer is automatically shrunk to .jpg to avoid confusion and continue working correctly.
3. Both JPEG and JPG are used for colour and photographs, but image quality is reduced at the time of compression with JPEG. A way to reduce such effects is by re-editing and re-saving the picture.
4. To work with JPEG files without sacrificing quality, determine and save the edits. Also, doing so will prevent you from saving multiple times.
5. If you’re using new Explorer versions, the MIME media type for JPEG is image/jpeg, while the MIME type of image/jpeg is used in older versions.
6. When uploading images using an old version, they can be downloaded in additional extensions like .jif, .jifi, .jpe, and Jif.
7. Regarding size, JPG is relatively tiny compared to other file formats, making it feasible at the moment of compression. The image quality is sacrificed when the file is compressed.
8. When the volume is changed, poor image quality can be difficult to perceive by the human eye.
9. The letters that make up the JPEG acronym correspond to the company’s full name that created the joint Photographic Experts Group extension.
10. While JPEG stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group, JPG means the same but with the missing ‘e’ and adapted to the old Windows standards.
11. The only visible difference we see in these extensions is the number of characters used. JPG so far exists in older versions such as MS-DOS 8.3. JPEG does not need to run on this operating system anymore.
12. We don’t see such formatting with new versions as new systems use JPEG. JPG is still in use despite this limitation.
13. New Windows extensions do not have this limitation, but they work in line with the new Windows standards. JPG is still popular, but JPGE is gaining ground.
14. Programs like Adobe Photoshop can use JPG, but not all operating systems still support it. New software saves JPEG by default.

References

1. https://www.paintshoppro.com/en/pages/jpg-file/