AVIF vs PNG: A Comparative Overview

1. File Format Origins

• AVIF: A newer format from the AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media, aimed at efficient compression and high-quality images.
• PNG: Introduced in the 1990s as an improvement over GIF, known for its lossless data compression.

2. Compression and File Size

• AVIF: Highly efficient compression, offering significantly smaller file sizes than PNG without quality loss.
• PNG: Provides lossless compression but typically results in larger file sizes than AVIF.

3. Image Quality

• AVIF: Supports a wide color gamut and high dynamic range (HDR), suitable for high-quality imaging.
• PNG: Lossless quality preservation, but lacks inherent support for HDR and wide color gamut.

4. Transparency and Animation

• AVIF: Supports transparency, not commonly used for animation.
• PNG: Known for transparency support; does not support animation (unlike APNG).

5. Color Depth

• AVIF: Supports higher bit depths and a broader range of colors compared to PNG.
• PNG: Typically uses 24-bit RGB or 32-bit RGBA color space.

6. Browser and Device Support

• AVIF: Gaining traction but with limited support in browsers and devices.
• PNG: Universally supported across all browsers and devices.

7. Use Cases

• AVIF: Ideal for high-quality images and efficient storage, like web media and advanced photography.
• PNG: Preferred for web graphics, icons, and images where transparency and lossless quality are key.

Explore Online HEIF Converters
AVIF to PNG Online Converter