I hope that someone will find it useful... If not, then don’t put downvotes. =) Let’s go.
(The author of this article is unknown to me.)
------------
"Raster graphics"
GIF (Graphics Interchange Format)
The GIF format was developed in 1987 by the computer information service CompuServe. Now this format is the most used format on the Internet.
Advantages
Small size, which is achieved by a limited color range - no more than 256 colors.
Transparent background.
Animation.
And another important factor is that the LZW compression algorithm for the GIF format is patented. Unisys has held the patent since 1994 and began charging developers who use the GIF format.
PNG (Portable Network Graphics)
The fruit of a community of independent programmers - a response to the transition of the most popular GIF format into the category of commercial products. The PNG format does almost everything that the GIF format does, except for animation.
Advantages
The best data compression - compresses raster images not only horizontally, but also vertically
supports color photographic images up to and including 48-bit
256 levels of transparency
The size of an image in PNG format will be smaller than that of GIF. But the smallest details will be easier with GIF, because in a PNG image file, about 1 KB is taken up by the description of the color palette, which is sometimes comparable to the size of the image itself.
PNG-24
A format similar to PNG-8, but using a 24-bit color palette.
JPG, JPEG, JFIF (JPEG File Interchange Format)
To find a better way to compress photographic quality images, two standards organizations - the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) - created the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG).
Uses lossy compression. With this compression, information that is not essential for the perception of the image is removed.
WBMP (WAP BitMap)
monochrome (two-color) images.
The maximum image size should not exceed the card size limit - 1.5 KB.
BMP (BitMap)
The simplest bitmap format, BMP, is a native Windows format. BMP stores color data only in the RGB model, meaning it is a format designed for use on screen.
PCX (PCExchange)
Images in PCX format can be viewed by most DOS programs. Like BMR, this format is largely outdated and is supported by modern graphics programs solely for compatibility with antique software.
TIFF, TIF (Tagged Image File Format)
Originally developed by Aldus for its PhotoStyler graphics editor. As a universal format for storing raster images, TIFF is widely used, primarily in publishing systems that require the best quality images. Due to its compatibility with most professional image processing software, the TIFF format is very convenient when transferring images between different types of computers (for example, from PC to Mac and vice versa).
PSD (Photoshop)
Adobe Photoshop format, distinguished by the ability to store layers. Convenient only for processing in Photoshop and for storing the source for editing in the future.
RAW (RAW Image Data)
This format is designed for digital cameras. This is an exact copy of the image captured on the matrix during shooting; it consists of three photographs taken in red, blue and green colors.
RAW file extensions may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, and they cannot always be opened using image processing programs.
Although if a camera supports saving RAW, then, as a rule, it comes with some kind of program for processing files of this format.
Currently, Adobe has proposed the DNG (Digital Negative Specification) format, which was created in order to make life easier for manufacturers of graphics tools. Some companies (Leica and Pentax) have already included DNG in their cameras, but most camera vendors still continue to use their formats.
RAW format extensions
.dng - Adobe (generic)
.crw .cr2 - Canon
.raf - Fuji
.kdc - Kodak
.mrw - Minolta
.nef - Nikon
.orf - Olympus
.ptx .pef - Pentax
.x3f - Sigma
.arw - Sony
"Vector graphics"
CDR (CorelDRAW)
The format of the popular CorelDRAW, which is the undisputed leader in the class of vector graphics editors on the PC platform. Having relatively low stability and problems with compatibility of files of different versions of the format.
AI (Adobe Illustrator)
Being part of the Adobe family, they support almost all programs related to vector graphics in one way or another. The best intermediary for transferring images from one program to another, from PC to Macintosh and vice versa. It is characterized by the greatest stability and compatibility with the PostScript language, which is used by almost all publishing and printing applications.
WMF (Windows Metafile)
Another native Windows format, this time vector. Understood by almost all Windows programs that are somehow related to vector graphics.
EMF (Enhanced Metafile)
Similar to WMF.
"OTHER FORMATS"
SWF (ShokWaveFlash)
Flash format, a product of Macromedia, which allows you to develop interactive multimedia applications. The scope of Flash use is different, it can be games, websites, CD presentations, banners and just cartoons. When creating a product, you can use media, sound and graphic files, you can create interactive interfaces and full-fledged web applications using PHP and XML.
SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics)
A standard recommended by the World Wide Web Consortium for describing two-dimensional vector and combined vector-raster graphics using XML markup.
In the browser, SVG graphics are rendered using raster engines. Support for translucency in each layer, linear gradients, radial gradients, visual effects (shadows, hillshades, shiny surfaces, textures, patterns of any design, symbols of any complexity).
SVG is a format for 2D vector graphics as defined in the specification, but by adding script (namely JavaScript) inside an SVG file you can create 3D animated images.
SVG can have a built-in raster image, which, like any other object in SVG, can have transformation, transparency, etc. applied to it.
ICO (Icon)
An icon used on the Internet as a symbol of a site, a logo. For example, now you see a red square in the address bar. If you add a page of our site to your favorites, our icon will appear next to the link, which will help you quickly visually find the link to the site. Actually, this is the main purpose of the icon on the Internet.
"PostScript"
EPS (Encapsulated PostScript)
The most reliable and universal way to save data. It uses a simplified version of PostScript, cannot contain more than one page in one file, and does not save a number of printer settings. Like PostScript print files, EPS records the final work, although programs such as Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop can use it as a working document. EPS is designed for transferring vectors and rasters to publishing systems, and is created by almost all programs that work with graphics.
(The author of this article is unknown to me.)
------------
"Raster graphics"
GIF (Graphics Interchange Format)
The GIF format was developed in 1987 by the computer information service CompuServe. Now this format is the most used format on the Internet.
Advantages
Small size, which is achieved by a limited color range - no more than 256 colors.
Transparent background.
Animation.
And another important factor is that the LZW compression algorithm for the GIF format is patented. Unisys has held the patent since 1994 and began charging developers who use the GIF format.
PNG (Portable Network Graphics)
The fruit of a community of independent programmers - a response to the transition of the most popular GIF format into the category of commercial products. The PNG format does almost everything that the GIF format does, except for animation.
Advantages
The best data compression - compresses raster images not only horizontally, but also vertically
supports color photographic images up to and including 48-bit
256 levels of transparency
The size of an image in PNG format will be smaller than that of GIF. But the smallest details will be easier with GIF, because in a PNG image file, about 1 KB is taken up by the description of the color palette, which is sometimes comparable to the size of the image itself.
PNG-24
A format similar to PNG-8, but using a 24-bit color palette.
JPG, JPEG, JFIF (JPEG File Interchange Format)
To find a better way to compress photographic quality images, two standards organizations - the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) - created the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG).
Uses lossy compression. With this compression, information that is not essential for the perception of the image is removed.
WBMP (WAP BitMap)
monochrome (two-color) images.
The maximum image size should not exceed the card size limit - 1.5 KB.
BMP (BitMap)
The simplest bitmap format, BMP, is a native Windows format. BMP stores color data only in the RGB model, meaning it is a format designed for use on screen.
PCX (PCExchange)
Images in PCX format can be viewed by most DOS programs. Like BMR, this format is largely outdated and is supported by modern graphics programs solely for compatibility with antique software.
TIFF, TIF (Tagged Image File Format)
Originally developed by Aldus for its PhotoStyler graphics editor. As a universal format for storing raster images, TIFF is widely used, primarily in publishing systems that require the best quality images. Due to its compatibility with most professional image processing software, the TIFF format is very convenient when transferring images between different types of computers (for example, from PC to Mac and vice versa).
PSD (Photoshop)
Adobe Photoshop format, distinguished by the ability to store layers. Convenient only for processing in Photoshop and for storing the source for editing in the future.
RAW (RAW Image Data)
This format is designed for digital cameras. This is an exact copy of the image captured on the matrix during shooting; it consists of three photographs taken in red, blue and green colors.
RAW file extensions may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, and they cannot always be opened using image processing programs.
Although if a camera supports saving RAW, then, as a rule, it comes with some kind of program for processing files of this format.
Currently, Adobe has proposed the DNG (Digital Negative Specification) format, which was created in order to make life easier for manufacturers of graphics tools. Some companies (Leica and Pentax) have already included DNG in their cameras, but most camera vendors still continue to use their formats.
RAW format extensions
.dng - Adobe (generic)
.crw .cr2 - Canon
.raf - Fuji
.kdc - Kodak
.mrw - Minolta
.nef - Nikon
.orf - Olympus
.ptx .pef - Pentax
.x3f - Sigma
.arw - Sony
"Vector graphics"
CDR (CorelDRAW)
The format of the popular CorelDRAW, which is the undisputed leader in the class of vector graphics editors on the PC platform. Having relatively low stability and problems with compatibility of files of different versions of the format.
AI (Adobe Illustrator)
Being part of the Adobe family, they support almost all programs related to vector graphics in one way or another. The best intermediary for transferring images from one program to another, from PC to Macintosh and vice versa. It is characterized by the greatest stability and compatibility with the PostScript language, which is used by almost all publishing and printing applications.
WMF (Windows Metafile)
Another native Windows format, this time vector. Understood by almost all Windows programs that are somehow related to vector graphics.
EMF (Enhanced Metafile)
Similar to WMF.
"OTHER FORMATS"
SWF (ShokWaveFlash)
Flash format, a product of Macromedia, which allows you to develop interactive multimedia applications. The scope of Flash use is different, it can be games, websites, CD presentations, banners and just cartoons. When creating a product, you can use media, sound and graphic files, you can create interactive interfaces and full-fledged web applications using PHP and XML.
SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics)
A standard recommended by the World Wide Web Consortium for describing two-dimensional vector and combined vector-raster graphics using XML markup.
In the browser, SVG graphics are rendered using raster engines. Support for translucency in each layer, linear gradients, radial gradients, visual effects (shadows, hillshades, shiny surfaces, textures, patterns of any design, symbols of any complexity).
SVG is a format for 2D vector graphics as defined in the specification, but by adding script (namely JavaScript) inside an SVG file you can create 3D animated images.
SVG can have a built-in raster image, which, like any other object in SVG, can have transformation, transparency, etc. applied to it.
ICO (Icon)
An icon used on the Internet as a symbol of a site, a logo. For example, now you see a red square in the address bar. If you add a page of our site to your favorites, our icon will appear next to the link, which will help you quickly visually find the link to the site. Actually, this is the main purpose of the icon on the Internet.
"PostScript"
EPS (Encapsulated PostScript)
The most reliable and universal way to save data. It uses a simplified version of PostScript, cannot contain more than one page in one file, and does not save a number of printer settings. Like PostScript print files, EPS records the final work, although programs such as Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop can use it as a working document. EPS is designed for transferring vectors and rasters to publishing systems, and is created by almost all programs that work with graphics.