JPEG files are compressed quickly in the camera, and thus result in a loss of detail and quality. They are essentially set up to store as many images on the memory card as possible.

Generally speaking JPEGs should be used:

• When the photos are for personal use, for social media, albums, and small prints and not intended for large size prints
• When you don’t intend to enhance or edit the photos much in post-production (e.g., using Photoshop)
• For sharing images via email (without the intention of large size prints)
  

  Benefits (pros)

  • Small file sizes means more can be stored on a memory card
  • Quicker file transfer times, due to smaller file size

  Negatives (cons)

  • Loss of quality due to image compression
  • Less opportunity for image manipulation in photo editing software

  Tiffs used industry-standard file format, and is generally what print or publishers ask for.

  Benefits

  • Ability to manipulate photos extensively in photo editing software
  • Option to print at the highest quality and at much larger sizes

  Negatives

  • Much bigger file sizes (more storage needed)
  • Longer transfer and loading times due to file size                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        RAW files are generally available on advanced compact cameras and DSLRs and quite simply
    

    Benefits

    • The best quality image file is captured
    • Extensive options in post-processing and image manipulation

    Negatives

    • Time needed to convert and edit photos (you must edit raw files)
    • Bigger file sizes mean more storage needed and longer post-processing times

    Enter the DNG. This file format, created by Adobe, is an attempt to create a standard raw file format across all manufacturers and cameras. This is offered as a main raw file format, or as an alternative to the manufacturer’s native raw format

    Benefits

    • Ability to use image processing software such as Lightroom and Photoshop
    • Possibly safer option long term, to guard against inability to open or access files in future

    Negatives

    • Extra time needed to convert camera raw files to DNG (if your camera does not have the option to supply files in this format)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          BMP was invented by Microsoft, initially for use on the Windows platform but is now recognized by programs on Macs as well.