What is a key characteristic of the JPEG file format?

The JPEG file format is known for its relatively small file size, which is one of its key characteristics. This format achieves compression through lossy techniques, meaning that some image data is discarded to reduce the overall file size while still maintaining a decent level of visual quality. This smaller file size allows for more efficient storage and faster uploading and downloading, making JPEG a popular choice for web images and digital photography.

The other choices do not accurately represent the characteristics of the JPEG format. For instance, JPEG can support color images, making it unsuitable to claim that it only supports black and white images. Additionally, JPEG is widely recommended and used for photographic images due to its balance of quality and file size, contradicting the suggestion that it is the least recommended. Finally, JPEG images can be opened with a variety of software and devices without the need for specific proprietary software, which means they are very accessible to users.