Content & creators
Lossy compression
Reducing file size by discarding some information.
In everyday use
A photographic export trades a little detail for a smaller download.
What to keep in mind
Discarded detail cannot be recovered simply by saving at higher quality later.
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Further reading
Original explanation and example by Perspectism. Further reading may cover the wider subject, rather than this exact wording. Edition updated 7 October 2026.
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