Description |
TIFF is a flexible image format that normally saves 8 or 16 bits per color (red, green and blue) for a total of 24 or 48 bits. TIFFs flexibility is both a feature and a curse, with no single reader capable of handling all the different varieties of TIFF files. TIFF can be lossy or lossless. Some types of TIFF files offer relatively good lossless compression for bi-level (black and white, no grey) images. Some high-end digital cameras have the option to save images in the TIFF format, using the LZW compression algorithm for lossless storage. The TIFF image format is not widely supported by web browsers TIFF is still widely accepted as a photograph file standard in the printing industry TIFF is capable of handling device-specific color spaces, such as the CMYK defined by a particular set of printing press inks. |
GIF is limited to an 8-bit palette, or 256 colors. This makes the GIF format suitable for storing graphics with relatively few colors such as simple diagrams, shapes, logos and cartoon style images. The GIF format supports animation and is still widely used to provide image animation effects. It also uses a lossless compression that is more effective when large areas have a single color, and ineffective for detailed images or dithered images. |