The choice between vector and raster formats permeates all walks of computer-based contemporary life. The question is: Which one is better suited for a specific application?

Vector imaging is line-oriented, scalable, and uses scant computational resources. Raster imaging is pixel-oriented, nonscalable, and uses a comparatively greater amount of resources.

Vector imaging requires a considerable amount of work to achieve near photo quality. Raster imaging has a high photo quality from the start.

Vector is hard, raster is easy; vector is light, raster is heavy; vector is specific, raster is general; vector goes to the point, raster beats around the bush.

In certain cases, vector will be the better choice; in other cases, raster will be superior. A compromise may be the best strategy: Use vector when speed and effectiveness are paramount; use raster when graphical beauty outweighs every other consideration.

Two vector images of a Ford logo, b/w (left) and filled with color (right) (Source: Graphic Design Forum).