Convert BMP to PNG
About BMP
The Bitmap (BMP) file format is a simple, uncompressed raster graphics format developed by Microsoft for the Windows operating system. Because it's typically uncompressed, BMP files store raw pixel data, resulting in very large file sizes. While this ensures maximum quality, its inefficiency makes it impractical for web use or easy sharing. It's now largely a legacy format.
About PNG
Portable Network Graphics (PNG) is a raster graphics format that supports lossless data compression, meaning no quality is lost when the file is compressed. Its most notable feature is its support for transparency (the alpha channel), which allows images to have transparent backgrounds. This makes PNG a favorite for web graphics, logos, and icons.
BMP vs PNG
| Feature | BMP | PNG |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | uncompressed or RLE | lossless |
| Transparency | false | true |
| Animation | false | false |
| Quality Rating | 2 | 5 |
| Patent Status | royalty-free | patent-free |
| Year Introduced | 1990 | 1996 |
| Developed By | Microsoft | PNG Development Group |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there any reason to use BMP today?
In modern workflows, there are very few reasons to use BMP. Its primary advantage was its simplicity and wide support in early Windows applications. For almost any purpose, formats like PNG (for lossless quality) or TIFF (for professional work) are far superior choices.
Does BMP support compression?
While the BMP format does support a simple lossless compression method called Run-Length Encoding (RLE), it is rarely used and not very effective. The vast majority of BMP files you encounter will be uncompressed.
Is PNG better than JPEG?
It depends on the use case. For photographs, JPEG provides smaller file sizes with minimal perceptible quality loss. For graphics with sharp lines, text, or transparency needs, PNG is superior as it is lossless and supports an alpha channel.
Why are PNG files larger than JPEGs?
PNG files are larger because they use lossless compression. They retain all the original image data, whereas JPEG uses lossy compression to discard data and reduce file size. This makes PNGs higher quality but also larger.
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