RAW and TIF images are characterized by what type of compression?

RAW and TIF images are indeed characterized by lossless compression. This means that when these image formats are compressed, no data is lost in the process; the original image can be perfectly reconstructed from the compressed data.

Lossless compression is crucial for professional photographers and those who require high-quality images because it maintains the integrity of the original photo, ensuring that all the tonal values, colors, and details are preserved. Formats like RAW and TIF are often used in photography because they allow for extensive editing and manipulation without compromising the quality of the image.

In contrast, other compression methods, such as lossy compression (often associated with JPEG files), reduce file size by permanently eliminating certain information, which can lead to a decrease in image quality. Therefore, the choice of lossless compression for RAW and TIF formats serves the needs of photographers who prioritize image fidelity in their work.