HEIC and EPS are among the most used image formats in graphic design and web development. Both formats offer ingenious functionalities and features that make it difficult for users to choose the best project format.
The article analyzes and compares the technical EPS vs. HEIC including file size, compression method, image quality, structure, storage needs, animation, browser support, transparency, and online performance.
When is HEIC better than EPS?
HEIC images are smaller, high-quality, and highly web responsive, lowering bandwidth costs and ensuring improved online user experience, while EPS images are larger and high-quality but load slower online, resulting in more bandwidth costs and a lower user experience.
The advantages of the HEIC file type include being easily manipulated and storing smaller, highly web-efficient, and high-quality online video clips, with low bandwidth expenses, limited storage space demands, and better online user experience.
When is EPS better than HEIC?
EPS images are scalable up and down without distorting resolution and quality levels, while HEIC images are raster-based and become indistinct when scaled upward or downward. Thus, the EPS file type is ideal for expanded images, including comprehensive advertising collateral or billboards readable from a distance.
EPS versus HEIC Comparison Table
| Aspect/Factor | HEIC | EPS |
| Transparency | Supports alpha channel transparency. | Does not support transparency or alpha channel. |
| File Size | Smaller files than EPS files. | Larger files than HEC files. |
| Image Quality | Excellent image quality than EPS. | High-quality images. |
| Performance | Smaller and loads faster online than EPS. | Larger and loads slower online than HEIC. |
| Structure | Raster-based with comments and tags, image tracks, EXIF/TIF files, and indicators. | A vector graphics with a file header, image metadata, and file markers. |
| Animation | Inherently supports animations or image sequences. | Does not support animation. |
| Storage | Requires less storage space than EPS. | Requires more storage space than HEIC. |
| Compression | Supports lossless and lossy compression. | Supports PackBits/ZIP and lossless compression. |
| Browser Support | Wider web browser support compared to EPS. | Limited browser support compared to HEIC. |
Differences and similarities between HEIC and EPS images
The HEIC versus EPS comparison table above shows that the formats support lossless compression but differ in file size, image quality, storage needs, lossy and PackBits/ZIP compression, browser support, animation, structure, web performance, and transparency.
Image Quality
EPS and HEIC images are high-resolution and high-quality. EPS extension supports multiple bit depths: 1-bit, 8-bit, and 24-bit color channels, namely CMYK, Grayscale, and RGBA color profiles. The format has bitmap data and retains individual coding on color and size.
Lossless and PackBits/ZIP EPS ensures all image details are preserved to ensure high-quality levels. Conversely, HEIC supports 10-bit and 16-bit color profiles displayed as 48-bit per color channel. HEIC supports advanced image features, like Wide Color Range and High Dynamic Range.
Transparency
EPS files hardly support transparency, while HEIC files do. The EPS relies on its textual forms, which only use the PostScript codes and do not have the integral ability to support transparent backgrounds. The EPS' PostScript interpreter can render its file for review but does not support alpha channel transparency.
In contrast, HEIC imitates PNG's transparency support by enabling logos and graphical images to merge clearly with the prevalent webpage background. It supports alpha channel transparency. Unlike PS format, HEIC images support optional alpha mask or plane transparency data.
Performance
HEIC files are more responsive than EPS files. EPS files are vector-based and can hold multiple files, making them larger than the multilayered HEIC files using HEVC compression. Lossless EPS retains all image data, resulting in larger files than the lossy and lossless HEICs compressed using the innovative HEVC.
The larger EPS files consume more bytes, incur more bandwidth costs, and load slower on websites than the smaller, highly web-responsive HEIC files. Normally, HEIC files load and download faster on websites, leading to search engine optimization and better user experience.
File Size
HEIC files are typically smaller than EPS files. The HEIC file format supports advanced and efficient lossy and lossless compression using HEVC algorithms, significantly reducing file sizes. This makes HEIC files smaller compared to EPS files, which prioritize maintaining high-quality vector graphics and compatibility over compression efficiency.
Structure
HEIC is a raster-based file format, whereas EPS is a vector-based image. An EPS file comprises mathematical equations and graphics defining the image shapes, lines, and colors. The graphics include lines and curves instead of pixels, which separates them from different raster file types or image formats.
The EPS has a header, encapsulated image data, a PostScript Program, and an end-of-file marker. Its header has primary data about the file, like the file's version number, the bounding image box, and resolution levels. In an EPS file, the PostScript Program stores the PostScript commands used to render its images.
The encapsulated file info has image pixels, color depth, and palette data and ends with a file marker showing its conclusion. HEIC and EPS are exciting to compare. HEIC files have specific images, image sequences, and metadata.
The format's structure defines how metadata and data are stored while complying with the ISO Base Media File Format rules. HEIC has Exif metadata like tags and comments supported by EXIF and TIFF. It has embedded TIFF files without image data but keeps specific image files marked as "items,".
All files have a labeled number of items. It also allows image series "tracks" to be compressed and stored in TIFF/EXIF files. HEIC also has indicators that show how its viewers should display the stored files later, including either as colonnades or animations
Animation
HEIC supports animations, whereas EPS file format does not. EPS only supports still images since it has no multimedia abilities to support live content, animated images or animations. Its files are intended for specialized printing and, therefore, unsuitable for screen-based displays or animations.
On the other hand, HEIC extension supports still animation by storing multiple metadata and images in one file, making it possible to create short animations. HEIC additionally stores image sequences that are playable as lively content or slideshows.
Storage
HEIC stores lossless and lossy compressed data using HEVC algorithms, while EPS stores data compressed using lossless or PackBits/ZIP compression. EPS file preserve all image data, such as vector-based lines, shapes, and texts, in multiple files, making them larger and needing more storage space than HEIC.
The EPS and HEIC file data can be stored indefinitely on Cloud, Content Delivery Network, EXIF/TIFF File Systems, ISO Base Media File, and Hard Drives. Nonetheless, the storage period is unlimited when the files are properly handled, kept under good conditions, and using the best storage mediums.
Compression
HEIC uses lossless and lossy compression methods to create high-quality, small images. Its compressed data consumes fewer bytes and decreases image loading times. Lossy HEIC compresses image data using the HEVC algorithms, which selectively deletes certain data, resulting in compression artifacts.
HEIC's lossy compression slightly lowers image quality but significantly reduces file sizes. Conversely, its lossless compression creates smaller, higher-quality images by preserving all image information, ensuring no loss in image quality, like lossless and PackBits/ZIP EPS compression.
EPS lossless and PackBits/ZIP using LZW algorithms decrease file sizes but retain all image data, resulting in higher-quality images. As a result, HEIC's compression technique is superior or more efficient than EPS's.
Browser Support
EPS and HEIC have limited web browser support, although HEIC enjoys slightly higher browser support. While neither format is supported by IE, Samsung Internet, Opera, Discord, Edge, Firefox, Vivaldi, and Brave, HEIC is supported by Google Marketplace/Workplace and Safari.
EPS is supported only by Google Chrome, which requires additional file support plug-ins or extensions like PostScript Compiler or Viewer to preview EPS files.
Convert HEIC to EPS or EPS to HEIC
Convert HEIC to EPS online using convertjack. EPS images can be scaled upwards or downwards, ensuring high-resolution and high-quality levels at varying screen sizes.
Convertjack is an advanced, modern EPS to HEIC converter that produces accessible and tailored documents. HEIC images are smaller, high-quality, offer sufficient storage space, and have all-inclusive metadata with seamless web responsiveness compared to EPS format.