JPG: smaller files for photographic video frames
JPG uses lossy compression. For ordinary video footage, the result is often visually good while keeping file sizes relatively small. This makes JPG useful when you are generating many screenshots and want to store or share them without creating very large files.
JPG is a practical choice for scenes with people, landscapes, animation, products, and other continuous-tone imagery. The quality slider in the tool lets you control the JPEG compression level. Higher quality generally produces a larger file.
PNG: lossless output for graphics and editing
PNG uses lossless compression, so it does not introduce the same type of compression loss as JPG. It can be useful for frames that contain text, interface elements, diagrams, or graphics where preserving sharp edges matters.
The trade-off is file size. A set of PNG screenshots can take considerably more storage than the equivalent JPG set, especially when the source contains complex imagery.
JPG vs PNG at a glance
| Consideration | JPG | PNG |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy | Lossless |
| Typical file size | Smaller | Larger |
| Photographic video | Excellent practical choice | Works, but may be unnecessarily large |
| Text and graphics | Good, with some compression | Often preferable for sharp detail |
| Many generated frames | Easier to store and share | Can require much more storage |
Which format should you use?
If your main goal is to create thumbnails, reference images, or a collection of frames from a normal video, start with JPG at a high quality setting. If you are extracting frames from a presentation, screen recording, diagram, or graphic-heavy video and expect to edit the images further, PNG can be a better fit.
There is no requirement to choose one format permanently. You can generate a smaller JPG set first to find the moments you need, then generate PNG frames for the specific images that require lossless output.
Remember the source quality
Changing JPG to PNG does not restore detail that was missing from the original video. The final image quality is strongly influenced by the source video's resolution, compression, focus, lighting, and motion. Choose the best source available before worrying about the output format.
When you are ready, open the Screenshot Maker and choose JPG or PNG before generating your frames.