When is PNG better than EPS?
PNG images support transparency and complex color patterns, while EPS does not. PNG format is ideal for web applications, keynote and PowerPoint presentations, and digital printed materials because it allows for the incorporation of transparent backgrounds.
When is EPS better than PNG?
EPS images are scalable, resolution-independent file formats comprising individual shapes or objects. PNG images are raster graphics created using a fixed number of colored pixels, which cannot be intensely resized without losing resolution levels.
Vector-based EPS images are easily resizable without losing resolution and quality, making them suitable for creating billboards, illustrations, and initial logo designs in multiple sizes.
The pros of EPS images include the ability to store high-quality images with downward or upward scaling, embed them easily in other documents such as PDFs, Word Documents, and InDesign layouts, and be compatible with and supported by different platforms, software or programs.
EPS versus PNG Table Comparison
| Aspect/Factor | EPS | PNG |
| Transparency | Does not support transparency. | Supports alpha channel transparency |
| File Size | Larger file sizes than PNG files. | Smaller files than EPS files. |
| Image Quality | High-quality images than PNG images. | High-quality, yet low quality than EPS images. |
| Performance | Slower web performance than PNG. | Higher web performance than EPS. |
| Structure | A vector graphics starts with a header and ends with an end-of-file marker. | Raster graphics starts with an 8-byte signature header and ends with different chunks. |
| Animation | Does not support animation. | Does not support animation. |
| Storage | Requires more storage space than PNGs. | Requires less storage space than EPS. |
| Compression | Supports lossless compression. | It supports lossless compression. |
| Browser Support | Limited browser support. | Widely supported by all browsers. |
Differences and similarities between PNG and EPS images
In the PNG versus EPS analysis, it is clear that files share similarities in compression technique and animation. However, transparency support, file size, storage needs, image quality, structure, browser support, and web performance differ.
Structure
EPS is a vector-based format. The structure of an EPS file extension starts with a header, PostScript Program, encapsulated image data, and an end-of-file marker. The header contains primary data about the file: resolution level, the bounding image box, and version number.
In an EPS file, the PostScript Program stores the PostScript instructions used to render the image. The encapsulated image data includes the palette information, image pixels, and color depth. Lastly, the end-of-file marker shows the end of an EPS file.
In contrast, a PNG file extension starts with an 8-byte magic identification signature, followed by three or more chunks containing uniform syntax. The multiple IDAT chunks contained in it compactly hold the compressed image information. Each PNG chunk must follow the defined file structure.
PNG chunks are named consistent with their interior format and read sequentially from the data stream's start to end. A PNG file has critical chunks that each PNG file writer and reader must support. Thus, the notable structural design differences make PNG and EPS formats difficult to compare.Transparency
EPS does not support transparency. Its file relies on its textual form, which uses the PostScript programming language. In contrast, PNGs support transparency by allowing alpha channel integration. Every PNG file pixel is set to transparency levels between 0 (transparent) and 255 (opaque).
The tRNS subsidiary chunks manage the transparency elements in PNG. It also supports the RGBA color scheme, supplementing the discretionary alpha channel with 256 levels of transparency, giving it an edge over the EPS file format.
Image Quality
PNG and EPS are both high-resolution file formats. Nonetheless, EPS files outperform PNGs regarding resolution since their images are high-resolution and high-quality, with downward and upward scaling. PNG images are similarly high-quality but lose resolution levels with downward or upward scaling. As a result, EPS images have the best visual acuity and sharpness compared to PNG images.
Performance
PNG is a more flexible file format than EPS in terms of web performance. Lossless EPS files are larger than lossless PNG files, making EPS load slower online. Thus, EPS is unsuitable for web use, given that its files increase web loading time and minimize user experience more than PNGs.
File Size
EPS files have more details and are larger than PNG files, particularly when they have both raster and vector data. Nevertheless, EPS files can be compressed using lossless compression with LW or ZIP algorithms, which reduce file size while preserving image quality.
While PNG files have no size limit and can be 140GB and above, an EPS file is one page long and has a size limit of 0.5MB and 10 MB. However, EPS stores can store multiple files, each with a size limit between 0.5 and 10MB, making them significantly larger than PNGs.
EPS images can also be scaled up or down to fit any screen size, which is impossible with pixel-based PNG images.
Animation
PNG and EPS file formats do not support animation. EPS files are designed to support still images or static content without multimedia or live content capabilities meant to support animations or animated images. EPS files can only be used in professional printing and are, therefore, unsuitable for screen-based displays.
While PNGs hardly support animation, their file extension has specifications extended in APNG, which innately supports animation by integrating the animation control chunk. Thus, while it is not the best file format for animation, it exceeds the confines of files that hardly support animation, including EPS.
Storage
EPS and PNG store losslessly compressed data. Yet, EPS stores image data, including vector texts, lines, graphics, and other document elements, in single and multiple files, while PNG stores compressed image data in individual files.
The compressed EPS files are larger and need more storage space, consuming more bytes and bandwidths than PNG files. Nonetheless, the compressed PNG and EPS files do not degrade with proper handling, good storage conditions, and depending on the storage mediums. Images of both file formats can last indefinitely.
PNG and EPS files can be stored in File Systems, cloud, Content Delivery Networks (CDN), Hard Drives, CDs, DVDs, Base64 Encoding, and Floppy Drives.
Compression
EPS and PNG use lossless compression techniques. PNG uses lossless compression with LZ77 algorithms and Huffman variation coding. In contrast, EPS uses lossless compression methods such as ZIP and LZW, which decrease file sizes but preserve higher-quality images. However, while EPS files use LZW compression algorithms to minimize their file size, they remain comparatively larger than PNGs.
The file compression rate for ZIP minimizes EPS files by 10% to 20%. However, the compression rate of EPS files can sometimes be zero for non-photographic files.
Browser Support
PNG and EPS formats have existed for a while now. However, EPS has less browser support than PNG. PNG is widely supported by nearly all browsers, including Vivaldi, Discord, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, Opera, and all versions of Internet Explorer except IE6.
Conversely, EPS is supported only by Google Chrome, which necessitates additional plug-ins or extensions, including Compiler extension and PostScript Viewer, for easy previewing or viewing of EPS files. Vivaldi, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Discord, and Opera hard support EPS.
Convert PNG to EPS or EPS to PNG
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