TIFF vs. PNG — What's the Difference?

A significant difference between TIFF and PNG lies in their use cases. TIFF files tend to be larger and are usually chosen when preserving image details is crucial, such as in professional photography or scanning old photos. PNGs are often used for web graphics, logos, icons, and screenshots because of their ability to handle transparency and offer a good compression rate without diminishing visual quality.

TIFF and PNG are both image file formats, but they serve different purposes and have unique characteristics. TIFF, which stands for Tagged Image File Format, is often favored by professionals in the photography and design industries due to its high quality and lack of compression artifacts. In contrast, PNG, short for Portable Network Graphics, is popular for web graphics because it supports transparency and has a smaller file size suitable for online use.

The origin of TIFF dates back to the mid-1980s when it was introduced as a format for desktop publishing and graphic art applications. Its flexibility allows it to store images with a large bit depth, making it a preferred choice for archival purposes. PNG, on the other hand, emerged in the mid-1990s as a response to the limitations of the GIF format, offering improved compression techniques without the loss of image quality.

Lastly, when selecting between TIFF and PNG, one should consider the software compatibility and the intended use of the image. While TIFF might be preferable for high-resolution printing, PNG might be the go-to choice for web applications or when transparency is a necessity.