Difference between Raster and Vector Images -

Let’s understand difference between Raster and Vector Images. When it comes to images, they are an essential part of digital content, whether it’s a logo design, editing a photo, or creating digital visuals. But there is a big difference between images, as they are not the same. The two primary image types are Raster and Vector. These two image formats differ not only in their creation but also in their functionality and optimal use.

A designer should always understand the difference between Raster and Vector images, and how to use them correctly, and which format to use when working with digital media and which one to use for print media. In this blog post, we will explore the differences between Raster and Vector images.

Table of Contents

What are Raster Images?

Raster images are made up of pixels. A pixel is a tiny square of colour that forms the complete picture. An image has many pixels, and each pixel contains colour information. The total number of pixels determines the image resolution. The higher the number of pixels, the higher the resolution.

Key Features of Raster Images –

Made of Pixels
Can be scaled to a certain limit. Oversize can make images blurry.
Best for detailed images and photographs.

Common Raster File Formats –

JPEG (.jpg) – Joint Photographic Experts Group –
PNG (.png) – Portable Network Graphics
GIF (.gif) – Graphics Interchange Format
BMP (.bmp) – Bitmap
TIFF (.tif) – Tagged Image File Format

Where to use Raster Images –

Photo Editing
Web graphics
Social media content
Digital painting and illustrations

What are Vector Images?

Vector images use paths, lines, curves, and shapes to form images, so they can be scaled infinitely without losing quality. A vector image is created using mathematical formulas to represent the images, instead of using grid of pixels.