The JPEG format is based on an ISO standard developed by the “Joint Photographic Expert Group”. The JPG format is primarily designed for storing and displaying photographic images. The format offers 32-bit color depth and efficient compression algorithms with loss of color quality. JPEG makes it possible to integrate EXIF metadata into the file.

Although JPG files are usually much smaller than their TIF or PNG equivalents, they are not suitable for long-term storage due to the use of compression if color fastness is an important quality requirement. (The JPEG2000 format does support lossless compression). If color fastness is of less importance, the JPEG format is a suitable as a “preferred format”. Color fastness means that both the recording equipment (for example a scanner) and the playback equipment (for example a printer or screen) are calibrated and use a standardized and device-independent digital color coding.

JPEG is a preferred format for file type Images (raster).