What is the difference between a JPG and PDF, EPS, AI and SVG file?

The difference between a JPG and a PDF, EPS, AI and SVG file has to do with the extent to which they can be made larger or smaller without loss of quality. You will read all about it in this blog. 

Difference between a JPG and PDF file

The main difference between a JPG and PDF is that a JPG becomes blocky when enlarged. While a PDF file remains razor sharp.

This is due to the structure of the file. A JPG is composed of many square blocks. If you pull these squares apart then the image becomes blurry. A JPG file falls into the family of “pixel” files.

Unlike a JPG, a PDF file is made up of vectors instead of pixels. Vectors are a kind of clever mathematical formulas that can recalculate lines and distances by themselves as they are made larger and smaller. As a result, the image always remains sharp. A PDF file is therefore also related to “vector” files.

Difference between a JPG and an EPS, AI and SVG file

Just like a PDF, an EPS, AI and SVG file is also made up of vectors. These files can therefore be enlarged without loss of quality. With a JPG, this goes wrong. It becomes blurry when enlarged and compressed. EPS, AI and SVG files also belong to the family of vector files.

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