JPG文件无处不在。如果您在互联网上或线下看到一张图片，您很可能正在看一张。JPG（或JPEG ）格式自 90 年代以来就已经存在，并且多年来一直在文件大小、图像质量和兼容性之间取得适当的平衡。
HEIC（High-Efficiency Image Container 的(High-Efficiency Image Container)缩写）是新来的。在Apple(Apple)首次在 iOS 11 和 macOS High Sierra中采用它之后，它获得了普及。HEIC使用压缩技术的最新进展，并取代JPG作为 iPhone 的默认照片捕捉格式。
尽管JPG是主流，但Apple有充分的理由转而采用HEIC格式。下面，我们将深入探讨HEIC 与 JPG(HEIC vs JPG)之间最常见的区别，以及Apple选择HEIC 的原因(HEIC)。
HEIC 与 JPG – 存储(HEIC vs. JPG – Storage)
顾名思义，HEIC在压缩图像方面非常“高效”。它是HEIF（高效图像格式(High-Efficiency Image Format)）的变体，使用HEVC（高效视频容器(High-Efficiency Video Container)）或H.265 视频压缩标准(H.265 video compression standards)对图片进行编码。
在WWDC 2017上，Apple 的Craig Federighi透露HEIC提供的压缩率是标准(HEIC)JPEG图像的两倍。这并不夸张。在我们在 iPhone 上进行的测试中，我们发现HEIC与以(HEIC)JPEG格式拍摄的类似图像相比，可以始终将图像压缩 40-50% 。
例如，生成 2.0 MB 文件的典型JPEG场景将仅消耗大约一半的HEIC图像。这使您可以在相同的空间中存储几乎两倍数量的照片。
Apple 最注重节省空间，因此您可能不会在 iPhone 以外拍摄的(space savings)HEIC（或HEIF ）图像中看到相同的压缩级别，例如使用佳能 EOS-1D X Mark III(Canon EOS-1D X Mark III)。但是生成的文件仍然应该比传统的JPEG存储少得多。
HEIC 与 JPEG – 质量(HEIC vs. JPEG – Quality)
HEIC确实使用大量压缩来产生更小的文件大小。但这是决定性因素；它在视觉质量方面也与JPEG格式相匹配。(JPEG)将HEIC图像和JPEG图像并排放置，无法区分。
HEIC格式在技术上也在以下方面优于JPG格式：(JPG)
- 改进的高光、阴影细节和中间色调
- 扩展动态范围
- 16 位颜色（与 JPEG 的 8 位颜色配置文件相反）
- 深度信息
- 透明度
- 非破坏性编辑
上述功能通常适用于HEIF格式，不一定适用于 iPhone 上拍摄的HEIC变体图像。例如，Apple 的智能手机相机仅限于捕捉 10 位颜色的图像。尽管如此，您最终会以文件大小的一半获得精美的图像。
HEIC在捕获图像序列方面也做得更好。以Apple 的 Live Photos(Apple’s Live Photos)为例，该格式可以保存帧中的细微差异，而不是捕获单独的图像。另一方面，JPG版本的Live Photo包含一个静止图像和一个 3 秒MOV视频剪辑，占用更多存储空间。
HEIC 与 JPG – 兼容性(HEIC vs. JPG – Compatibility)
任何运行 iOS 11 或 macOS High Sierra的 iPhone 或(Sierra)Mac都可以打开HEIC图像。Apple生态系统之外的大多数平台也支持该格式。但是，涉及到很多星号。
例如，在Windows 10中，您必须从Microsoft单独下载相关编解码器(download the relevant codecs separately)。不过，由于(Due)许可问题，解码HEIC图像所需的(HEIC)HEVC编解码器成本为 0.99 美元。
理想情况下，Windows 10 还应该在英特尔(Intel)第 6 代CPU或更高版本上运行，以对(CPU)HEIC图像进行硬件解码。否则，软件解码可能会导致性能问题。
在Android方面，只有搭载Android Pie 9或更高版本的智能手机才能打开HEIC图像。问题; 仍然有很多设备无法升级到Android Oreo 8之后。
值得庆幸的是，Apple已将兼容性问题纳入 iPhone 的等式中。
如果您尝试将HEIC图像上传或附加到本机或第三方应用程序（例如Mail），iOS 会自动将其转换为JPG。
手动通过USB将(USB)HEIC文件复制到 PC（或HEIC 不(HEIC)兼容的Mac）时，您的 iPhone 还应将其转换为 JPG 。您可以在Settings(Settings) > Photos > Transfer to Mac or PC下找到管理此设置的设置。
另一个积极的方面是，Adobe Lightroom、GIMP和Pixelmator等较新版本的照片编辑软件已开始支持HEIC格式。这应该有助于它随着时间的推移获得更多的牵引力。
什么是最好的？(What’s the Best?)
HEIC几乎在所有方面都是卓越的格式。您可以以几乎（如果不是更好）质量获得令人难以置信的小尺寸图像，而不是JPEG(JPEGs)。
您确实有兼容性问题需要处理。但是，在需要时将 HEIC 文件转换为 JPG(convert HEIC files to JPG)相对容易。在 iPhone 上，这应该会在共享图像时自动发生，您甚至不会注意到。
您仍然可以切换回以JPEG格式拍摄。例如，在 iPhone 上，前往Settings > Camera > Formats并选择Most Compatible将相机的捕捉设置从HEIC 更改(HEIC)为JPEG。其他支持HEIC(HEIC)（或HEIF）的照片捕获设备上也应该有类似的选项。(Similar)
除非您的设备之间存在严重的兼容性问题，否则我们建议您坚持使用HEIC而不是JPG。除了节省空间， (Space)HEIC图像的技术优势可以在未来数年发挥作用。换句话说，HEIC应该可以帮助您在未来证明您的记忆。
HEIC vs JPG: What’s the Difference
JPG filеѕ are eνerywhere. If you come across an image on the internet or offline, you are likely looking at one. The JPG (or JPEG) format has bеen arоund since the 90ѕ, and it’s continued to strike the right balаnce between file size, image quality, and compatibility over the yеars.
HEIC (short for High-Efficiency Image Container) is the new kid on the block. It gained popularity after Apple first adopted it in iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra. HEIC uses the latest advancements in compression technology and replaces JPG as the iPhone’s default photo capture format.
Despite how mainstream JPG is, Apple had strong reasons to embrace the HEIC format instead. Below, we’ll dig deep and explore the most common differences between HEIC vs JPG and why Apple went with HEIC.
HEIC vs. JPG – Storage
As the name implies, HEIC is very “efficient” at compressing images. It’s a variant of HEIF (High-Efficiency Image Format) and uses HEVC (High-Efficiency Video Container) or H.265 video compression standards to encode pictures.
At WWDC 2017, Apple’s Craig Federighi revealed HEIC to offer up to two times the compression of a standard JPEG image. That’s not an exaggeration. In our tests on the iPhone, we found HEIC to consistently compress images at 40-50% compared to similar images shot in the JPEG format.
For example, a typical JPEG scene that results in a 2.0 MB file will only consume roughly half of that as a HEIC image. That allows you to store almost twice the number of photos in the same amount of space.
Apple focuses on space savings the most, so you may not see the same compression levels in HEIC (or HEIF) images shot outside the iPhone, such as with the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III. But the resulting files should still amount to a lot less than a legacy JPEG storage-wise.
HEIC vs. JPEG – Quality
HEIC does use large amounts of compression to come up with smaller file sizes. But here’s the defining factor; it also matches the JPEG format in terms of visual quality. Put a HEIC image and a JPEG image side by side, and it’s impossible to tell the difference.
The HEIC format is also technically superior to the JPG format in the following ways:
- Improved highlights, shadow details, and mid-tones
- Extended dynamic range
- 16-bit colors (as opposed to JPEG’s 8-bit color profile)
- Depth information
- Transparency
- Non-destructive edits
The features above apply to the HEIF format in general and not necessarily to the HEIC variant of images shot on the iPhone. Apple’s smartphone cameras, for example, are limited to capturing images in 10-bit color. Still, you end up with terrific-looking images at just half the file size.
HEIC is also much better at capturing image sequences. With Apple’s Live Photos, for example, the format can save subtle differences in frames instead of capturing separate images. On the other hand, the JPG version of a Live Photo comprises a still image and a 3-second MOV video clip that uses up more storage space.
HEIC vs. JPG – Compatibility
Any iPhone or Mac running iOS 11 or macOS High Sierra can open HEIC images. Most platforms outside the Apple ecosystem also support the format. But, there are lots of asterisks involved.
In Windows 10, for example, you must download the relevant codecs separately from Microsoft. Due to licensing issues, though, the HEVC codec needed to decode HEIC images costs $0.99.
Ideally, Windows 10 should also run on an Intel 6th-gen CPU or later to hardware-decode HEIC images. If not, software-decoding can result in performance issues.
On the Android side of things, only smartphones with Android Pie 9 or later can open HEIC images. The problem; there are still lots of devices that can’t upgrade beyond Android Oreo 8.
Thankfully, Apple has factored compatibility issues into the equation on the iPhone.
If you attempt to upload or attach a HEIC image to native or third-party apps (such as Mail), iOS will automatically convert it to JPG.
Your iPhone should also convert HEIC files to JPG when copying them to a PC (or to a HEIC-incompatible Mac) over USB manually. You can find the setting that manages this under Settings > Photos > Transfer to Mac or PC.
On another positive note, newer versions of photo-editing software such as Adobe Lightroom, GIMP, and Pixelmator have begun supporting the HEIC format. That should help it gain more traction over time.
What’s the Best?
HEIC is the superior format in almost every way. You get incredibly lower-sized images at nearly, if not better, quality than JPEGs.
You do have compatibility issues to deal with. But, it’s relatively easy to convert HEIC files to JPG as and when needed. On the iPhone, that should automatically happen while sharing images without you even noticing.
You can still switch back to shooting in the JPEG format. On the iPhone, for example, head over to Settings > Camera > Formats and select Most Compatible to change the camera’s capture setting from HEIC to JPEG. Similar options should also be present on other HEIC (or HEIF) supported photo capture devices.
Unless you have severe compatibility issues among your devices, we recommended sticking to HEIC over JPG. Space savings aside, the technical advantages of HEIC images can play a factor years down the road. In other words, HEIC should help you future-proof your memories.
