What is the Difference Between Bitmap and Vector

The main difference between bitmap and vector is that the bitmap graphics use pixels to represent images while the vector graphics use basic geometric shapes to represent the images.

Graphics is a powerful media to communicate ideas and concepts. They are creative and easier to convey messages to a larger audience quickly and effectively. Moreover, visuals created using graphics can express the idea more conveniently than a set of words. Few examples of graphics include images, maps and scientific illustrations. Bitmap and vector are two major graphics types.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Bitmap
     – Definition, Graphics, Functionality
2. What is Vector
     – Definition, Graphics, Functionality
3. What is the Difference Between Bitmap and Vector
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Bitmap, Graphics, Raster, Vector

What is Bitmap

Bitmap graphics are also known as raster graphics. These graphics consist of pixels, which are small blocks of color. Also, all these pixels are arranged to create an entire image. Usually, a photograph or a scanned copy is a Bitmap image.

Furthermore, the standard, uncompressed bitmap format is BMP. Other bitmap formats are Joint Photographic Expert Group (PEG/ JPG), Graphics Interchange Format (GIF), Portable Network Graphics (PNG), and Tagged Image File Format (TIFF). These are compressed formats. The file sizes of compressed bitmap files are smaller than uncompressed bitmap files.  Therefore, it is possible to download compressed bitmap images quickly.

What is Vector

Vector graphics use basic geometric shapes such as lines, dots, curves, polygons, etc. Mathematical formulas or expressions help to build these shapes. In vector graphics, it is possible to edit the images without degrading the quality of the images.  

Some common vector formats are the Encapsulated PostScript file (EPS), Adobe Illustrator File (AI), CorelDraw File (CDR), Drawing Interchange Format (DXF) and Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG).  The main advantage of vector graphics is that it is possible to resize (scale up and scale down) without affecting the image quality. On the other hand, some vector image formats are native to a specific application, and opening it in other vector applications can be difficult.

Difference Between Bitmap and Vector

Definition

The bitmap is a type of graphics that represents a rectangular grid of pixels, viewable via a monitor, paper or another display medium. Vector is a type of graphics defined in terms of 2D points that are connected by lines, curves to form polygons and other shapes. These definitions, thus, explain the fundamental difference between bitmap and vector.

Method

The main difference between bitmap and vector is that the bitmap graphics use pixels while vector graphics use basic geometric shapes.

File Types

Moreover, .jpg, .gif, .png, .tiff, .psd are some bitmap file types while .ps, .eps, .svf, .ai,.cdr and .svg are vector file types.

Resizable

Bitmap images are resolution dependent, so they are not resizable without reducing the picture quality. Vector images are resolution independent, so they are resizable without reducing the picture quality. Hence, this is also an important difference between bitmap and vector.

File Size

File size is another difference between bitmap and vector. The file size of a vector image is comparatively less than that of a Bitmap image.

Editing Ability

Furthermore, it is possible to edit bitmap images to some extent, but not as vector images. On the other hand, it is possible to edit vector images without reducing the quality. Therefore, this is also a difference between bitmap and vector. 

Applications

Besides, the bitmap is suitable for photographs whereas the vector graphics is suitable for logos, icons, clipart, and abstract images.

Conclusion

The difference between bitmap and vector is that the bitmap graphics use pixels to represent images while the vector graphics use basic geometric shapes to represent images. In brief, in vector format, the picture quality remains as it is, regardless of the size.

Reference:

1. “What Is a Vector Graphic?” Computer Hope, 1 Apr. 2018, Available here.
2. “Raster Graphics.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 23 Oct. 2018, Available here.
3. “Bitmap.” P2P (Peer To Peer) Definition, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Bitmap vs vector” By Bitmap vs vector.png: Fbjderivative work: Wgabrie (talk); translation added PerhelioniThe source code of this SVG is valid.This vector image was created with Inkscape, and then manually altered. – Bitmap vs vector.png (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “VectorBitmapExample” By The original uploader was Darth Stabro at English Wikipedia. – Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by Pbroks13 using CommonsHelper (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia