JPG vs JP2

JPG (also known as JPEG — Joint Photographic Experts Group) is the world's most popular image format for photographs and web images, first standardized in 1992. JPG uses DCT-based lossy compression to reduce file sizes by 90% or more while maintaining visual quality that's often indistinguishable from the original. The format supports up to 16.7 million colors (24-bit color depth), making it ideal for photographs, gradients, and complex imagery. JPG compression levels are adjustable: higher compression means smaller files but more artifacts, while lower compression preserves quality at larger sizes. JPG does not support transparency or animation. It's the default photo format for digital cameras, smartphones, and web browsers. Common use cases include website images, email attachments, social media posts, and print materials. For web optimization, JPG images should typically be compressed to 60-85% quality.