Which image formats store georeferencing information in their header?

GeoTIFF and ERDAS are both image formats specifically designed to include georeferencing information within their headers. This capability makes them particularly valuable in the field of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), as the embedded spatial reference information allows for the accurate placement of images in a geographic context without the need for additional files or documentation.

GeoTIFF is an extension of the popular TIFF format that incorporates geospatial data, meaning it not only stores image data but also includes information about the coordinate system and location. This feature enables GIS software to automatically read the headers and properly position the image on a map.

ERDAS, being associated with the ERDAS Imagine software used in remote sensing and GIS applications, often includes various types of information about the spatial characteristics of the image data, facilitating easier integration into GIS projects.

In contrast, formats like JPEG, PNG, BMP, GIF, and SVG do not natively support georeferencing in their headers. While TIFF can support georeferencing if it’s specifically formatted as GeoTIFF, general BMP images do not carry this information. As such, these formats are less suitable for GIS applications that require geographic data to be embedded with the imagery.