Digital Data Compression

Data compression is used to reduce file size and save storage space by many digital formats. Digital compression of images may take occur in the camera, or can be done in the computer with the image editor. Images are stored in JPEG format have already been compressed. Level of compression can be set by both camera and computer programs.

Some compression algorithms, such as those used in PNG file format, are lossless, meaning no information is lost when the file is saved. The JPEG file format uses a lossy compression algorithm. This means the greater the compression, the more information is lost, eventually reducing image quality or detail. JPEG uses understanding of the way the brain and eyes recognizes color to make this loss of detail less perceptible.