HEIF and TIFF 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.
TIFF is a flexible container used in print, publishing and archiving. It can hold multiple pages, layers, and a variety of compression schemes including none at all, which is why TIFF files vary enormously in size.
- Where HEIF files come from
- Newer cameras and some Android devices, alongside Apple's HEIC.
- Where TIFF is used
- Scanners, professional photography workflows, and print production.