This comparison covers Lossless vs Lossy Compression within Compression for GCSE Computer Science. Revise Compression in Memory & Storage for GCSE Computer Science with 15 exam-style questions and 16 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 8 of 11 in this topic. Use this comparison to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 8 of 11
Practice
15 questions
Recall
16 flashcards
Lossless vs Lossy Compression
| Aspect | Lossless | Lossy |
|---|---|---|
| Data Loss | None - perfect reconstruction | Permanent - some data removed |
| Compression Ratio | 30-70% smaller (moderate) | 80-95% smaller (extreme) |
| Reversible | Yes - decompress to exact original | No - cannot recover lost data |
| Best For | Text, programs, medical images, legal docs | Photos, music, video, web images |
| Examples | PNG, ZIP, FLAC, GIF | JPEG, MP3, MP4, AAC |
| When to Use | When every bit matters / exact copy needed | When human perception is primary concern |