Highly compressed image files are commonly referred to as what?

Highly compressed image files are commonly referred to as JPEGs because this format utilizes lossy compression techniques to significantly reduce file size while maintaining a level of image quality that is often acceptable for most applications, especially for photographs. The JPEG format is widely used in digital photography and online images due to its balance of quality and file size.

When a JPEG image is saved, the compression process reduces the amount of detail and color information in the image, which allows for reduced storage space and quicker loading times. This makes JPEGs particularly useful for web use and sharing online, where faster loading times are essential.

Other formats mentioned, like PNGs and GIFs, are designed for different purposes. PNGs use lossless compression, preserving the original image quality, while GIFs are limited to a palette of 256 colors, making them less suitable for detailed photographs. TIFFs are generally used for high-quality images due to their support for lossless compression, making them larger in file size compared to JPEGs.