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Image MIME Reference
PSD

Adobe Photoshop Document

image/vnd.adobe.photoshop
VS

Silicon Graphics Image

image/sgi
SGI

A complete technical comparison of Adobe Photoshop Document and Silicon Graphics Image — covering compression, feature support, browser compatibility, magic bytes, and when to choose each format.

Equal browser support

Feature Support

Feature PSD SGI
Transparency (Alpha) Yes Yes
Animation Support Yes ✕ No
Progressive Loading ✕ No ✕ No
HDR Support Yes ✕ No
EXIF Metadata Yes ✕ No
ICC Color Profile Yes ✕ No
Adobe Photoshop Document
image/vnd.adobe.photoshop
Extension
.psd.psb.pdd
Container Adobe Photoshop Document (PSD/PSB)
Compression Uncompressed / RLE (Run-Length Encoding) / ZIP
Algorithm
RLEZIP (with or without prediction)None
Color Depth 1-bit (Bitmap), 8-bit, 16-bit, 32-bit (Float/HDR)
Developed by Adobe Systems
Released 1990
Magic Bytes
38 42 50 53
Full PSD reference →
Silicon Graphics Image
image/sgi
Extension
.sgi.rgb.rgba.bw.int.inta
Container SGI Image Format
Compression Uncompressed / Lossless (Run-Length Encoding)
Algorithm
RLENone
Color Depth 8-bit, 16-bit (Per Channel)
Developed by Paul Haeberli (Silicon Graphics)
Released 1990
Magic Bytes
01 DA
Full SGI reference →

Browser Support Comparison

Browser PSD SGI
Chrome Chrome
✕ ✕
Firefox Firefox
✕ ✕
Safari Safari
✕ ✕
Edge Edge
✕ ✕
IE IE (Legacy)
✕ ✕
PSD

PSD Strengths

  • The undisputed global standard for layered raster graphics and non-destructive image editing
  • Supports incredibly complex compositions combining raster data, vector shapes, live text, and adjustment layers
  • Full support for advanced color spaces (CMYK, Lab, multi-channel) and 32-bit floating-point HDR workflows
Limitations
  • Proprietary format: while the specification is published, complete feature-parity is rarely achieved by third-party software (e.g., smart objects and complex layer styles often break)
  • Files can reach enormous sizes (gigabytes) due to the preservation of unflattened, high-resolution layer data
  • Zero support for native rendering in web browsers or standard mobile image viewers
SGI

SGI Strengths

  • Pioneered multi-channel and 16-bit per channel imaging capabilities required for high-end 1990s visual effects
  • Extremely robust and simple header structure
  • Reliable Run-Length Encoding provided solid lossless compression for flat-shaded 3D renders
Limitations
  • Completely obsolete for modern web and application development
  • Zero native web browser compatibility
  • Largely replaced by TIFF and OpenEXR in modern professional VFX and 3D pipelines

When to choose which format

PSD
Use PSD when…
  • Professional Photo Retouching
  • Digital Painting and Illustration
  • UI/UX Design Workflows
  • Graphic Design and Print Production
SGI
Use SGI when…
  • Legacy 3D Animation & VFX
  • Silicon Graphics IRIX Workflows
  • Historical CGI Archiving

More comparisons

PSD vs ACES → SGI vs ACES → PSD vs APNG → SGI vs APNG → PSD vs AVCI → SGI vs AVCI → PSD vs AVCS → SGI vs AVCS → PSD vs AVIF → SGI vs AVIF → All comparisons →
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