JPEG stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group. This most used image file format is used to store photos all over the world and is generally a default file format for saving images. In fact, most of the images you find online will download as .jpg files.
JPEG files come in different quality levels like low, medium, and high. Because this is a lossy file, the images are compressed. Using the optimum (i.e. least) compression level, you could expect to record just 1500 images, or less, on a 2GB card. Beware, though, that saving images as JPEGs can compromise the quality of that image.
When to use JPEG image format in anatomic pathology:
- Complex images with a lot of different colors, like gross photographs (presentations on tumor boards and conferences)
- To compress highly detailed images and sent as attachments (consultations)
- For images you need to print (tumor mapping)
