PNG vs SR2
A detailed comparison of PNG Image and Sony RAW SR2 — file size, quality, compatibility, and which format to choose for your workflow.
PNG Image
Raster & Vector ImagesPNG is a lossless image format that supports transparency. It is ideal for graphics, logos, screenshots, and any image where preserving exact pixel data is important.
About PNG filesSony RAW SR2
Raster & Vector ImagesSR2 is an older Sony RAW format used in some Sony Alpha cameras. Newer Sony cameras use ARW instead.
About SR2 filesStrengths Comparison
PNG Strengths
- Lossless compression — every save preserves the original pixels perfectly.
- Full 8-bit alpha channel for smooth transparency.
- Excellent for text, UI screenshots, logos, and line art.
- Royalty-free and an ISO standard (ISO/IEC 15948).
- Supports 16-bit color depth for high-fidelity work.
SR2 Strengths
- Full Sony Alpha early-era sensor data preserved.
- Supported by major raw processors.
- Metadata includes Konica Minolta pre-Sony era compatibility.
Limitations
PNG Limitations
- Much larger than JPEG for photographs (no perceptual compression).
- No native animation in most software (APNG support is inconsistent).
- No CMYK support — web and screen only, not print.
- Metadata capabilities are less rich than JPEG's EXIF.
SR2 Limitations
- Transitional format — limited to 2006-2008 bodies.
- Superseded by ARW.
- Proprietary with no public spec.
- Essentially legacy — no new content.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | PNG | SR2 |
|---|---|---|
| MIME type | image/png | image/x-sony-sr2 |
| Compression | Lossless — DEFLATE (zlib) | — |
| Color depth | 1, 2, 4, 8 or 16 bits per channel | — |
| Max dimensions | 2^31 − 1 pixels per side (2.1 billion) | — |
| Transparency | Full 8-bit alpha channel | — |
| Standard | ISO/IEC 15948:2004 | — |
| Extension | — | .sr2 |
| Container | — | TIFF/EP with Sony MakerNote |
| Successor | — | .arw (2008+) |
| Ancestor | — | .mrw (Konica Minolta) |
Typical File Sizes
PNG
- Icon or small logo 2–20 KB
- UI screenshot (1920×1080) 200–800 KB
- High-res photo (12 MP) 10–30 MB
- Print-ready illustration 5–50 MB
SR2
- 10 MP SR2 (Alpha 100) 12-18 MB
- 12 MP SR2 (Alpha 700) 15-22 MB
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Frequently Asked Questions
PNG (Portable Network Graphics) is a lossless raster image format created in 1996 as a patent-free alternative to GIF. It supports transparency, making it ideal for logos, icons, and web graphics.
PNG (Portable Network Graphics) is a sem perdas raster image formato created in 1996 como um patent-free alternative to GIF. It suporta transparência, making it ideal para logos, icons, e web graphics.
PNG files open natively in all modern operating systems, web browsers, and image editors including Photoshop, GIMP, Paint.NET, and Canva.
PNG arquivos abrir natively in all moderno operating systems, web browsers, e image editors including Photoshop, GIMP, Paint.NET, e Canva.
WebP offers 26% smaller file sizes than PNG with equivalent quality. Use WebP for web delivery when browser support is sufficient. Use PNG when maximum compatibility or professional editing workflows are needed.
WebP oferece 26% smaller tamanho do arquivos than PNG com equivalent quality. usar WebP para web delivery when browser support is sufficient. usar PNG when máximo compatibilidade ou profissional editando workflows are needed.