← Back to BlogAt the heart of image compression are two primary techniques: lossy and lossless. Lossy compression, used in formats like JPEG and WebP, discards some data to achieve dramatic file size reduction—with a controlled risk of perceptible quality loss. This makes it ideal for webpage photos where bandwidth matters more than archival perfection. Lossless compression, employed by PNG and sometimes WebP or AVIF, retains all image data, delivering perfect pixel-for-pixel accuracy—a must for line art, logos, and graphics. The choice depends on use case: favor lossy for general photos to ensure speed, and lossless where detail is paramount. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each lets you match your site's needs for speed, quality, and visual appeal.
Understanding Lossy vs. Lossless Compression: Which is Right for Your Images?
Technical Deep Dive
lossy compressionlossless compressionimage qualityfile size reductionimage optimization techniques