Preserve the details that matter
- Keep an untouched source for future edits and exports.
- Decide what matters: exact artwork, readable text, a transparent edge or the appearance of a photo. Choose a format the destination accepts.
- Prepare the required dimensions in an editor, then compress the copy with Bitinz. Start with Balanced and compare alternatives from the same source.
- Compare the original and result at 100% zoom, using the same region in each. Check text, skin tones, outlines and gradients; inspect transparency on the intended background.
- Check the intended display size as well. Choose the result when its appearance and actual file size meet the task, and return to the source for a different export.
What lossless and lossy mean
Lossless encoding lets the encoded image data be recovered exactly. Lossy compression changes some data to reduce the file size. The visible difference depends on the picture and the export, so an image can look very close to its source while still being lossy.
For example, crop a JPG and save it, then reopen that saved copy for another crop and save it again: you have added another lossy export. Instead, finish the edits from the camera original and export the final version once. Saving an already softened JPG as PNG preserves that softened picture; it cannot reconstruct the missing detail.
Format capabilities at a glance
| Format | Compression capability | Transparency | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPG | Usually lossy | No | Photos and widely accepted uploads |
| PNG | Lossless encoding | Yes | Screenshots, graphics and source artwork |
| WebP | Lossy or lossless | Yes | Photos and graphics on compatible sites |
| AVIF | Lossy or lossless | Yes | Photos and other images in a supported workflow |
The format describes what can be encoded, while edits before encoding can still change the pixels. The format comparison guide helps you choose for the destination.
To compare another export, try JPG to WebP or PNG to WebP. For the formats Bitinz processes or returns unchanged, see compression troubleshooting.
Before choosing the result
- Keep the original for future editing.
- Compare the same region at 100% zoom.
- Check the details important to this picture, then view its intended display size.
- Use the intended background to inspect transparent edges.
- Confirm the destination accepts the format and compare actual file sizes.
For checks specific to screenshots and graphics, read how to reduce PNG file size.
FAQ
- Does looking identical mean compression is lossless?
- No. Lossy changes can be hard to see while still changing image data. If exact preservation matters, check the encoding and keep the source image.
- Which details should I compare after compression?
- At 100% zoom, compare the same region of the original and result: text, outlines, skin tones and gradients. Check the intended display size too, and put transparent images on their intended background.
- Does keeping PNG guarantee unchanged pixels?
- PNG encoding preserves the pixels it encodes, while edits or compression before encoding can change those pixels. Compare the result with the source when exact artwork matters.
- Can repeated compression improve image quality?
- Repeated compression cannot restore missing detail. Finish edits from the original and export the final version once, rather than reopening and re-saving compressed copies.
Tools in this guide
Sources
Figures checked against the official pages on October 23, 2026. Platforms change their rules, so check the linked page before relying on a limit.