In the modern digital world, image formats dictate the efficiency, file size, image quality, and compatibility of photographic content. Choosing the best format is indispensable as it helps users realize the full potential of their projects.
The article highlights and discusses the technical features of HEIC vs. SVG, including transparency, animation, web browser support, compression, file size, image quality, structure, performance, and storage.
When is SVG better than HEIC?
Almost all web browsers widely support SVG images. Also, SVG can be scaled up or down without losing quality and resolution levels, while HEIC images are only supported by Google Marketplace, Safari, and Google Workplace but become pixelated or jagged with upward or downward scaling.
SVG images are ideal for creating visually impressive and reliable application icons, high-quality hyperlinks, and animations of different color backgrounds and sizes. Compared to the HEIC file type, SVG images update simultaneously.
When is HEIC better than SVG?
HEIC images are high-quality, highly web-responsive, and demand less storage space, while SVG images are larger, less web-responsive, and necessitate more storage space. This makes HEIC suitable when the available storage space is limited.
The disadvantages of SVG files include larger file sizes, low web responsiveness, and more storage space, which result in minimal user experience and less optimized search engines.
HEIC versus SVG Comparison Table
| Aspect/Factor | HEIC | SVG |
| Transparency | Supports alpha channel transparency. | Supports alpha channel transparency |
| File Size | Smaller files than SVG files. | Larger files than HEIC files |
| Image Quality | High-quality images compared to SVG images. | Low-quality images than HEIC image. |
| Performance | Loads faster online than SVG. | Loads slower online than HEIC. |
| Structure | Raster graphic: Has tags and comments, image series, and EXIF/TIF files stored & displayed using indicators. | Vector graphic: Has an XML markup language with XML code specifying colors, shapes, texts, and paths. |
| Animation | Supports image sequences or still image animations. | Supports animations. |
| Storage | Needs less storage space or memory than SVG. | Needs more storage space or memory than HEIC. |
| Compression | Uses lossless and lossy compression. | Supports lossless compression. |
| Browser Support | Limited browser support compared to SVG. | Wider web browser support compared to HEIC. |
Differences and similarities between SVG and HEIC images
The SVG versus HEIC table comparison above shows that both formats support lossless compression, animation, and transparency and differ in storage, structure, performance, image quality, file size, browser support, and loss compression.
Transparency
SVG and HEIC file extensions support alpha channel transparency. These channels allow SVG images, including graphics and logos, to merge with the webpage background. The HEIC extension supports an optional alpha mask, which can be utilized when needed.
File Size
SVG and HEIC store multilayer metadata and data in a single file. HEIC stores GPS coordinates, creation dates, and image descriptions, while SVG stores grid lines, shapes, curves, and points. A single code stream in the HEIC file is 35 megapixels, significantly compressed using HEVC algorithms.
While the uncompressed HEIC files may be larger than lossless SVG files, HEIC's advanced and efficient HEVC compression significantly reduces file sizes compared to the gzip SVG files.
Image Quality
HEIF and SVG images are high-quality. HEIC typically has a 24-bit color range (3x8-bit) but can also support 10-bit and 16-bit color components, resulting in images with up to 48-bit color depth. HEIC also supports advanced features such as Wide Color Range and High Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging. Conversely, SVG is a vector-based format that stores rich metadata and preserves image attributes like color, shape, curves, and lines during compression, maintaining high quality regardless of size.
Performance
Lossless and lossy compressed HEIC images or files are smaller than lossless SVG files and images. HEIC uses highly efficient video coding (HEVC) compression algorithms, significantly compressing files compared to gzip compression used in SVG format.
HEIC files, therefore, consume fewer bandwidth expenses, consume fewer bytes, and load faster on websites than SVG files. Thus, the HEIC format optimizes search engines and enhances the online user experience more than the SVG format.
Structure
SVG is vector-based format, while HEIC is a raster-based format. The structural differences make the two formats wanting to compare. HEIC format's structure stipulates the storage of specific images, image series, and metadata in a container file conforming to the ISO Base Media File Format.
HEIC extension has Exif metadata with all the tags and comments supported by EXIF and TIFF. The embedded TIFF files do not have image data, but store specific image files and mark them as "items," and every file has a selected number of items. Its allows image series (tracks) to be stored in EXIF/TIF files.
HEIC uses an indicator to indicate whether the HEIC viewer must display the files as galleries or animations later. Its metadata are stored in EXIF/TIFF files and ISO Base Media File. Conversely, SVG stores images using mathematical equations, which define and anchor images on grid points, curves, lines, and shapes.
The format uses the XML markup language that outlines its vector-based graphics. The XML code is easily embedded directly into HTML/XML text documents and saved to the SVG file. Scripting languages like JavaScript interactively manipulate or animate each feature and element in the SVG file extension.
Animation
SVG supports lively content or animations, while HEIC format supports image sequences or still animation. HEIC extension stores metadata and multiple images in one file, creating crude animations. The format also stores image series that are playable back as slideshows, video clips, or memes.
In contrast, the SVG file extensions have markup supporting and presenting animations on webpages. The feature is accessed from JavaScript, allowing SVG files to support animated content through scripting or CSS. Graphic designers and web developers use JavaScript to create animations and interactive images.
Storage
HEIC files are significantly smaller and require less storage space or memory on different storage mediums than SVG files. Both formats' lossy or lossless compressed files can be stored indefinitely in Cloud, File Systems, ISO Base Media Files, Hard Drives, and Content Delivery Networks.
Compression
HEIC supports lossy and lossless compression methods, while SVG only supports lossless compression. HEIC uses the most efficient HEVC compression, while SVG supports gzip compression. SVG compression results in 20-50% smaller images than the original.
SVG's multistage file transformation starts with writing and storing files in XML text. Then, the stored images undergo lossless compression using the gzip algorithm to preserve all image data. The HEIC image compression process is effortless, although intricate at first glance.
The HEVC algorithms use the discrete sine and cosine transforms (DST and DCT), with block sizes ranging between 4x4 pixels and 32x32 pixels, to significantly reduce file sizes and increase the amount of space or memory on mem cards and mobile phones than SVG.
HEIC makes each file or image block precise while emphasizing quality retention or maintaining all image details. During lossy and lossless compression, the inter-frame transformation occurs, resulting in small and higher-quality images that improve web responsiveness.
Browser Support
HEIC is a new format created in 2017, while SVG has existed for over two decades. Both formats have become popular across various computer applications, web browsers, and platforms but face browser compatibility issues. Safari, Google Workspace, and Google Marketplace support HEIC.
HEIC images and files are incompatible with most legacy and new top web browsers, including Microsoft Edge, Brave, Discord, Google Chrome, Firefox, Opera Mini, Vivaldi, Internet Explorer, and Samsung Internet.
However, the web browsers are compatible with and support SVG files and images, except Internet Explorer 8. Hence, users should choose SVG for broader web browser support than HEIC, increasing its online user experience, usage, and adoption.
Convert SVG to HEIC or HEIC to SVG
Convert SVG to HEIC files using Convertjack to enjoy the efficiency of HEIC images. HEIC uses an advanced and efficient data compression method, resulting in smaller, higher-quality content and offering enough storage space for its comprehensive metadata with better web performance.
Web developers and graphic designers use SVG files because they are high-quality, scalable, and widely supported across different web browsers, resulting in increased user experience. Use convertjack, an efficient and prompt HEIC to SVG converter.