HEIF and PDF explained
HEIF is the underlying container standard that HEIC is a specific profile of. The distinction matters mainly to developers: HEIF describes the box structure, while HEIC specifies HEVC-compressed contents inside it.
PDF describes a page as a fixed arrangement of text, vector graphics and images. Unlike a word processor document, it is designed so the page looks identical everywhere — which is exactly why it is awkward to edit.
- Where HEIF files come from
- Newer cameras and some Android devices, alongside Apple's HEIC.
- Where PDF is used
- Contracts, invoices, reports, forms, academic papers and scanned documents.