What is this guide for? To teach you how to use the correct image formats for the correct situation. I am personally fed up of seeing people use gif for photos, jpeg for Windows screencaps, and other totally inappropriate image format uses. So I made this guide in an attempt to explain how and when to use what formats.

THE SUMMARY:

• JPEG:
  • Good:
    • Photographs
    • Game screenshots
    • Movie stills
    • Desktop backgrounds
  • Bad:
    • Windows application screenshots
    • Line art and text
    • Anywhere where fine lines or sharp color contrast is needed
• PNG:
  • Good:
    • Text, line art, comic-style drawings, general web graphics
    • Windows application screenshots
    • When absolutely 100% quality is required (24 bit)
    • When alpha channel support is required
    • As a general replacement for anything that is a non-animated GIF
  • Bad:
    • Photos, in-game screenshots (only when quality is not important and you're looking for small files)
    • Disappointing browser support from Microsoft and others
• GIF:
  • Good:
    • Where animations are absolutely required
    • Widespread browser support
  • Bad:
    • Patented, legal techicalities
    • Large file sizes compared to PNG for the same quality
    • Obsolete

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