Difference Between JPEG and PSD (With Table)

As digitalization has taken over the world, the memories are now being saved as audios, videos, and images, and to do so, certain formats are required in the digital world. JPEG and PSD are two such formats that are mostly used by people to store their images, but there can be certain advantages and disadvantages attached to these two formats that should be highlighted. 

JPEG vs PSD 

The main difference between JPEG and PSD is that the former happens to be a format that can be used by almost everyone and happens to be compatible with almost all types of devices and applications. But on the other hand, the latter is basically attached to a very popular editing software called Photoshop and can only be opened with the help of the same. 

The full form of JPEG is a joint photographic expert group, and the term stands to represent a particular format in which images are saved all across the world digitally. The most significant reason behind its huge fan following and popularity is that it is compatible with almost all types of devices and takes up less space in saving images. 

But on the other hand, PSD is a term that stands for Photoshop document and basically represents a format that is initially attached with the software of Adobe. This file format does not happen to be supported on its own and can only be accessed while using applications of Adobe. 

Comparison Table Between JPEG and PSD 

Parameters of Comparison 

JPEG 

PSD 

Meaning  

It is a file format for pictures having open access.  

It is a file format restricted to be used with certain applications only. 

Full form 

Joint photographic expert group 

Photoshop document 

Created by 

Joint photographic experts group 

Adobe  

Compatibility  

This format is compatible with almost all devices and applications 

this format is compatible with applications belonging to Adobe only 

Quality of images  

the quality of images gets compromised in this format 

the quality of images stays intact 

Size of images  

Reduces the size 

Keeps the size intact 

What is JPEG? 

In the year 1991, a group of photographers and tech developers known by the name ‘joint photographic experts’ group’ came up with the idea of developing a particular format for images in which all people can access a particular image on any kind of device. This idea became the reason behind the invention of the JPEG format.  

The term stands for joint photographic experts group and attains its identity from the people who have created it. This format goes by two major extensions, which are- .jpg and .jpeg. This is a very popular format all across the world, and almost all people have seen or used this format more than once in their life.  

The major reason behind the popularity of this format is that it is very compatible with all kinds of applications and can be opened and accessed on almost all kinds of devices. This compatibility makes it a universally accepted format. However, there are certain setbacks that are attached to this format. For instance, this format can reduce the quality of an image to some extent and can make it blurry if it is edited again and again in this format. 

What is PSD? 

PSD Simply stands for Photoshop document and represents a file extension that is by default property of Adobe Photoshop. In simple words, whenever an image is accessed in any application of Adobe, it is seen with the extension PSD. Therefore, it can be concluded that it is not a standard format but a format attached to one single application only and can only be accessed while accessing that particular application.  

In comparison to its other counterparts, this format is less popular, but it can be very useful for certain specific purposes. In cases where an image needs to be edited, again and again, it is better to use this format in comparison to other formats as it keeps the size and quality of the image intact throughout the very end of the process. It does not tamper with the quality at all. 

However, one problem attached to this format is that the accessibility of this format is very limited, and it cannot be accessed on all kinds of applications. This file extension only opens when a person is using the applications of Adobe. Because of this particular feature, it becomes really difficult to use this file in other applications as it requires conversion. 

Main Differences Between JPEG and PSD 

  1. JPEG is a term that stands for joint photographic experts’ group, while on the other hand, PSD is a term that stands for Photoshop document. 
  2. JPEG was created by the joint photographic experts’ group, while on the other hand, PSD was created by the Adobe group. 
  3. JPEG compresses the images to a reduced size while, on the other hand, PSD keeps the size of the image intact. 
  4. JPEG can compromise the quality of images, while on the other hand, PSD keeps the images in their true quality. 
  5. JPEG is suitable when the picture does not need multiple edits, while on the other hand, PSD is suitable when multiple edits are required in a particular image. 

Conclusion 

Images are such a great way of not only capturing but keeping the memories refreshed for so many years. And in order to keep these memories cherished for a long period of time, it is very crucial to save these images in the best quality possible, and this is where the file formats of images come into play.  

JPEG and PSD are two such formats that are used by many people to save and work upon their pictures, but the very basic difference between these two is that the former happens to be accessible to everyone while the letter can only be accessed by using a specific application. Apart from this major difference, certain other differences related to the attributes of these two formats can also be drawn out. 

References  

  1. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/125072/?casa_token=8D669a075-4AAAAA:3_4mxz32ahmlmm7nRY9u9QKP1Pyjvlg456gJkgsaozL1FKe4gapHRblmrWcp-9e87zuoh8pAYuU 
  2. https://en.cnki.com.cn/Article_en/CJFDTotal-SYDL200904018.htm