FC0-U71 Tech Concepts and Terminology Practice Question
A user complains that their smartphone photos take up too much space and that image quality is critical for printing. A technician explains that a particular image format uses lossy compression, which reduces file size by permanently discarding some image data. Which of the following formats is the technician describing?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that any compressed image format is lossy, when formats like PNG and GIF use lossless compression and do not discard data to reduce size.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
JPEG
JPEG is the standard lossy image format that permanently removes some visual data to achieve smaller file sizes, making it suitable for photographs where slight quality loss is acceptable. The other formats either preserve all data or reduce colors without the same lossy compression mechanism. The technician's description of discarding image data to save space points directly to JPEG.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
BMP
Why it's wrong here
BMP is an uncompressed or lightly compressed raster format that typically stores image data with little to no loss. It produces very large files and is not designed for efficient storage. Because it does not discard data to shrink files, it does not match the lossy compression the technician is describing. For a user concerned about space, BMP would be a poor choice and would not reduce file size through perceptual data removal.
- ✗
GIF
Why it's wrong here
GIF uses lossless compression and is limited to a 256-color palette, making it unsuitable for high-quality photographs. It does not discard image data to reduce size in the way lossy compression does. While GIF files can be small, the reduction comes from color limitation rather than perceptual data removal. For a user prioritizing print quality, GIF would degrade the image through color reduction, not through the lossy compression described.
- ✗
PNG
Why it's wrong here
PNG uses lossless compression, so it preserves all original image data and allows perfect reconstruction. It is often chosen for graphics with sharp edges, text, or transparency. Because it does not discard data, file sizes are typically larger than lossy formats for photographs. In this scenario, the user needs smaller photo files, so PNG would not provide the aggressive size reduction associated with lossy compression.
- ✓
JPEG
Why this is correct
JPEG is a lossy compression format that reduces file size by permanently discarding some visual information, especially high-frequency detail. It is widely used for photographs because it achieves significant compression while maintaining acceptable quality for many uses. In this scenario, the technician is describing a format that trades some image data for smaller files, which matches JPEG's behavior. The user should be aware that repeated editing and saving can further degrade quality.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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