Lossy Compression USA - Photography Terms & Glossary

Glossary Of Photography Terms [1]

Lossy Compression Lossy compression is a data compression technique used to reduce the file size of digital images by selectively discarding some image data that is deemed less important or perceptually irrelevant. Unlike lossless compression, which preserves all original image information, lossy compression algorithms achieve higher compression ratios by permanently eliminating certain details and features from the image data. The degree of compression and loss of quality can be controlled by adjusting compression settings such as compression level or quality factor.

Lossy compression is commonly used in digital photography, web graphics, and multimedia applications to optimize file sizes for storage, transmission, and display while maintaining acceptable image quality. Examples of lossy compression formats include JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) and some variants of compressed RAW image formats used by digital cameras. While lossy compression can result in smaller file sizes and faster loading times, it may also lead to visible compression artifacts, reduced image sharpness, and loss of fine details, especially when using aggressive compression settings. Balancing compression efficiency with image quality is an important consideration when choosing compression settings for digital images.