Compare two common compression approaches and choose one based on whether exact pixel preservation matters.

Lossless compression reduces file size while preserving the stored image data exactly. Lossy compression discards some information to achieve smaller files, which is often acceptable for photographs but may damage fine text or edges.

How to approach it

Choose lossless storage for graphics, screenshots, and assets that will be edited repeatedly. For photographs intended for web display, lossy compression may provide a useful size reduction. Keep a high-quality master and compare exported copies at normal viewing size before replacing an original.

Checks before you share

Keep an untouched source file, inspect the exported copy at full size, and confirm that the result suits its intended use. If the image contains private information, check the entire frame and its metadata before publishing.

Frequently asked question

Can lossy compression be reversed?

Not fully. Once discarded detail is gone, converting the file to a lossless format will not restore it.

For a practical next step, try the Image Compressor. You can also use the JPG to WebP for a related image task.