Snap vs. Picture — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 23, 2024
Snap captures a moment quickly and informally, often using a smartphone, while a picture refers to a broader category of images, captured with more intention and detail.
Difference Between Snap and Picture
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A snap is typically taken hastily with the aim of capturing a moment spontaneously, often with minimal concern for technical perfection. Whereas, a picture encompasses a wider array of images, including those taken with careful planning and attention to technical aspects such as lighting and composition.
Snaps are usually associated with casual, informal settings and are often shared quickly on social media platforms. On the other hand, pictures can be the result of professional photography that demands specific skills and equipment, aimed at producing a more polished outcome.
The term "snap" suggests immediacy and transience, indicating that the image is meant to capture the essence of a fleeting moment. In contrast, a picture is often viewed as a more durable visual record, capable of conveying deeper narratives or artistic expressions.
Snaps are commonly taken with smartphones, which are always handy, making it easy to capture moments on the go. Pictures, however, can be taken with various types of cameras, including professional DSLRs, which contribute to a higher quality and more detailed image.
The purpose of taking a snap is often to share an experience quickly with friends or followers, capturing everyday life. Whereas, pictures are frequently taken with the intention of preserving memories, creating art, or telling a story through visual means.
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Comparison Chart
Purpose
Quick capture, casual
Deliberate, detailed
Common Uses
Social media, informal share
Art, documentation, memories
Equipment
Smartphones
Various cameras
Skill Required
Minimal
Can be high
Outcome
Immediate, transient
Durable, narrative
Compare with Definitions
Snap
A photograph taken quickly and informally.
She took a snap of her lunch for her Instagram story.
Picture
A photograph taken with intent and consideration.
She set up her camera carefully to take the perfect picture.
Snap
An action of taking a photograph swiftly.
Snap a photo whenever you see something interesting.
Picture
A visual representation captured through a camera.
The picture of the mountain was breathtaking.
Snap
To capture a moment with minimal preparation.
He snapped a picture of the sunset while driving home.
Picture
A durable visual record of an event or scene.
This picture will help us remember our trip.
Snap
A casual approach to photography.
Just snap it; don’t worry about the settings.
Picture
A photograph that captures artistic or documentary content.
The picture won first prize in the photography contest.
Snap
A quick, informal photograph, especially one taken with a smartphone.
I got a snap of the concert crowd.
Picture
An image created using photographic equipment.
He printed the picture in high resolution.
Snap
(of an animal) make a sudden audible bite
A dog was snapping at his heels
Picture
A visual representation or image painted, drawn, photographed, or otherwise rendered on a flat surface.
Snap
Suddenly lose one's self-control
She claims she snapped after years of violence
Picture
A visible image, especially one on a flat surface or screen
The picture reflected in the lake.
Focused the picture on the movie screen.
Snap
Take a snapshot of
Photographers were snapping away at her
He planned to spend the time snapping rare wildlife
Picture
A vivid or realistic verbal description
A Shakespearean picture of guilt.
Snap
Put (the ball) into play by a quick backward movement
Time will not be resumed until the ball is snapped on the next play
Picture
A vivid mental image.
Snap
A sudden, sharp cracking sound or movement
She closed her purse with a snap
Picture
A person or object bearing a marked resemblance to another
She's the picture of her mother.
Snap
A hurried, irritable tone or manner
‘I'm still waiting,’ he said with a snap
Picture
A person, object, or scene that typifies or embodies an emotion, state of mind, or mood
Your face was the very picture of horror.
Snap
A snapshot
Holiday snaps
Picture
The chief circumstances of an event or time; the situation
How does the new boyfriend figure in the picture?.
Snap
A card game in which cards from two piles are turned over simultaneously and players call ‘snap’ as quickly as possible when two similar cards are exposed.
Picture
A movie.
Snap
A sudden brief spell of cold or otherwise distinctive weather
A cold snap
Picture
A tableau vivant.
Snap
Food, especially food taken to work to be eaten during a break.
Picture
To make a visible representation of
In this photo, the mayor is pictured with several aides.
Snap
An easy task
A control panel that makes operation a snap
Picture
To form a mental image of; visualize
I pictured my grandfather as a young man coming to America.
Snap
A quick backward movement of the ball from the ground that begins a play.
Picture
To describe vividly in words; make a verbal picture of
Pictured their heroism in glowing language.
Snap
A small fastener on clothing, engaged by pressing its two halves together; a press stud
A black cloth jacket with a lot of snaps and attachments
Picture
A representation of anything (as a person, a landscape, a building) upon canvas, paper, or other surface, by drawing, painting, printing, photography, etc.
Snap
Done or taken on the spur of the moment, unexpectedly, or without notice
He could call a snap election
A snap decision
Picture
An image; a representation as in the imagination.
Snap
To make a brisk sharp cracking sound
"Logs snapped in the grate" (James Fox).
Picture
A painting.
There was a picture hanging above the fireplace.
Snap
To break suddenly with a brisk, sharp, cracking sound.
Picture
A photograph.
I took a picture of the church.
Snap
To give way abruptly under pressure or tension
With so many people crowding onto the platform, its supports snapped.
Picture
A motion picture.
Casablanca is my all-time favorite picture.
Snap
To suffer a physical or mental breakdown, especially while under stress
Feared that the troops would snap from fatigue.
Picture
Cinema as a form of entertainment.
Let's go to the pictures.
Snap
To bring the jaws briskly together, often with a clicking sound; bite.
Picture
A paragon, a perfect example or specimen (of a category).
She's the very picture of health.
Snap
To take up something suddenly and eagerly; snatch or grasp
Snap at a chance to go to China.
Picture
An attractive sight.
The garden is a real picture at this time of year.
Snap
To speak abruptly or sharply
Snapped at the child.
Picture
The art of painting; representation by painting.
Snap
To move swiftly and smartly
Snap to attention.
Picture
A figure; a model.
Snap
To flash or appear to flash light; sparkle
Eyes that snapped with anger.
Picture
Situation.
The employment picture for the older middle class is not so good.
You can't just look at the election, you've got to look at the big picture.
Snap
To open, close, or fit together with a click
The lock snapped shut. The jacket snaps in front.
Picture
(MLE) A sample of an illegal drug.
If you want me to buy your weed I’ll need a picture.
Snap
To snatch at with the teeth or mouth; bite
The turtle snapped the lettuce from my hand.
Picture
(programming) A format string in the COBOL programming language.
Snap
To pull apart or break with a snapping sound.
Picture
(transitive) To represent in or with a picture.
Snap
To utter abruptly or sharply
The sergeant snapped out a command.
Picture
(transitive) To imagine or envision.
Snap
To cause to emit a snapping sound
Snap a whip.
Picture
(transitive) To depict or describe vividly.
Snap
To close or latch with a snapping sound
Snapped the purse shut.
Picture
The art of painting; representation by painting.
Any well-expressed image . . . either in picture or sculpture.
Snap
To cause to move suddenly
"His head was snapped back by a sudden scream from the bed" (James Michener).
Picture
A representation of anything (as a person, a landscape, a building) upon canvas, paper, or other surface, produced by means of painting, drawing, engraving, photography, etc.; a representation in colors. By extension, a figure; a model.
Pictures and shapes are but secondary objects.
The young king's picture . . . in virgin wax.
Snap
To take (a photograph).
Picture
An image or resemblance; a representation, either to the eye or to the mind; that which, by its likeness, brings vividly to mind some other thing; as, a child is the picture of his father; the man is the picture of grief.
My eyes make pictures when they are shut.
Snap
To photograph
Snapped the winner on the podium.
Picture
To draw or paint a resemblance of; to delineate; to represent; to form or present an ideal likeness of; to bring before the mind.
I have not seen him so pictured.
Snap
(Football) To pass (the ball) from the ground back between the legs to begin a down; hike.
Picture
A visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface;
They showed us the pictures of their wedding
A movie is a series of images projected so rapidly that the eye integrates them
Snap
A sudden sharp cracking sound or the action producing such a sound.
Picture
Graphic art consisting of an artistic composition made by applying paints to a surface;
A small painting by Picasso
He bought the painting as an investment
His pictures hang in the Louvre
Snap
A sudden breaking.
Picture
A clear and telling mental image;
He described his mental picture of his assailant
He had no clear picture of himself or his world
The events left a permanent impression in his mind
Snap
A clasp, catch, or other fastening device that operates with a snapping sound.
Picture
A situation treated as an observable object;
The political picture is favorable
The religious scene in England has changed in the last century
Snap
A sudden attempt to bite, snatch, or grasp.
Picture
Illustrations used to decorate or explain a text;
The dictionary had many pictures
Snap
The sound produced by rapid movement of a finger from the thumb tip to the base of the thumb.
Picture
A form of entertainment that enacts a story by a sequence of images giving the illusion of continuous movement;
They went to a movie every Saturday night
The film was shot on location
Snap
The act of producing this sound.
Picture
The visible part of a television transmission;
They could still receive the sound but the picture was gone
Snap
The sudden release of something held under pressure or tension.
Picture
A graphic or vivid verbal description;
Too often the narrative was interrupted by long word pictures
The author gives a depressing picture of life in Poland
The pamphlet contained brief characterizations of famous Vermonters
Snap
A thin, crisp, usually circular cookie
A ginger snap.
Picture
A typical example of some state or quality;
The very picture of a modern general
She was the picture of despair
Snap
Capacity to make a snapping sound; elasticity
This waistband has lost its snap.
Picture
Imagine; conceive of; see in one's mind;
I can't see him on horseback!
I can see what will happen
I can see a risk in this strategy
Snap
(Informal) Briskness, liveliness, or energy.
Picture
Show in, or as in, a picture;
This scene depicts country life
The face of the child is rendered with much tenderness in this painting
Snap
A brief spell of brisk, cold weather.
Snap
Something accomplished without effort.
Snap
A quick breaking or cracking sound or the action of producing such a sound.
Snap
A sudden break.
Snap
An attempt to seize, bite, attack, or grab.
Snap
The act of snapping the fingers; making a sound by pressing a finger against the thumb and suddenly releasing to strike the hand.
Snap
A fastening device that makes a snapping sound when used.
Snap
(informal) A photograph; a snapshot.
We took a few snaps of the old church before moving on.
Snap
The sudden release of something held under pressure or tension.
Snap
A thin circular cookie or similar baked good.
A ginger snap
Snap
A brief, sudden period of a certain weather; used primarily in the phrase cold snap.
Snap
A very short period of time (figuratively, the time taken to snap one's fingers), or a task that can be accomplished in such a period.
It'll be a snap to get that finished.
I can fix most vacuum cleaners in a snap.
Snap
A snap bean such as Phaseolus vulgaris.
Snap
(American football) A backward pass or handoff of a football from its position on the ground that puts the ball in play; a hike.
Snap
(colloquial) A rivet: a scrapbooking embellishment.
Snap
(fishing) A small device resembling a safety pin, used to attach the bait or lure to the line.
Snap
A small meal, a snack; lunch.
Snap
(uncountable) A card game, primarily for children, in which players cry "snap" to claim pairs of matching cards as they are turned up.
Snap
(obsolete) A greedy fellow.
Snap
That which is, or may be, snapped up; something bitten off, seized, or obtained by a single quick movement; hence, a bite, morsel, or fragment; a scrap.
Snap
Briskness; vigour; energy; decision
Snap
Any circumstance out of which money may be made or an advantage gained. used primarily in the phrase soft snap.
Snap
(slang) Something that is easy or effortless.
Snap
A snapper, or snap beetle.
Snap
Jounce (the fourth derivative of the position vector with respect to time), followed by crackle and pop
Snap
A quick offhand shot with a firearm; a snap shot.
Snap
(colloquial) Something of no value.
Not worth a snap
Snap
(social media) A visual message sent through the Snapchat application.
Snap
(Linux) A package provided for the application sandboxing system snapd developed by Canonical.
Snap
(uncountable) A crisp or pithy quality; epigrammatic point or force.
Snap
A tool used by riveters.
Snap
A tool used by glass-moulders.
Snap
A brief theatrical engagement.
Snap
A cheat or sharper.
Snap
A newsflash.
Snap
To fracture or break apart suddenly.
He snapped his stick in anger.
If you bend it too much, it will snap.
Snap
(intransitive) To give forth or produce a sharp cracking noise; to crack.
Blazing firewood snaps.
Snap
(intransitive) To attempt to seize or bite with the teeth, beak, etc.
A dog snaps at a passenger. A fish snaps at the bait.
Snap
(intransitive) To attempt to seize with eagerness.
She snapped at the chance to appear on television.
Snap
(intransitive) To speak abruptly or sharply.
He snapped at me for the slightest mistake.
Snap
(intransitive) To give way abruptly and loudly.
Snap
(intransitive) To suffer a mental breakdown, usually while under tension.
She should take a break before she snaps.
Snap
(intransitive) To flash or appear to flash as with light.
Snap
(intransitive) To fit or fasten together with a snapping sound.
Snap
To jump to a fixed position relative to another element.
The floating toolbar will snap to the edge of the screen when dragged towards it.
Snap
(transitive) To snatch with or as if with the teeth.
Snap
(transitive) To pull apart with a snapping sound; to pop loose.
Snap
(transitive) To say abruptly or sharply.
Snap
To speak to abruptly or sharply; to treat snappishly; usually with up.
Snap
(transitive) To cause something to emit a snapping sound, especially by closing it rapidly.
To snap a fastener
To snap a whip
Snap
(transitive) To close something using a snap as a fastener.
Snap
(transitive) A video of a person snapping their fingers.Alternative snapping techniqueTo snap one's fingers: to make a snapping sound, often by pressing the thumb and an opposing finger of the same hand together and suddenly releasing the grip so that the finger hits against the palm; alternatively, by bringing the index finger quickly down onto the middle finger and thumb.
Snap
(transitive) To cause to move suddenly and smartly.
Snap
(transitive) To take a photograph; to release a camera's shutter (which may make a snapping sound).
He snapped a picture of me with my mouth open and my eyes closed.
Snap
To send a visual message through the Snapchat application.
Snap
To put (a football) in play by a backward pass or handoff from its position on the ground; to hike (a football).
He can snap the ball to a back twenty yards behind him.
Snap
To misfire.
The gun snapped.
Snap
To catch out sharply (a batsman who has just snicked a bowled ball).
Snap
The cry used in a game of snap when winning a hand.
Snap
"I've got one the same!", "Me too!"
Snap! We've both got pink buckets and spades.
Snap
(British) Ritual utterance of agreement (after the cry in the card game snap).
Snap
(North America) Used in place of expletive to express surprise, usually in response to a negative statement or news; often used facetiously.
I just ran over your phone with my car. —Oh, snap!
Snap
Ritual utterance used after something is said by two people at exactly the same time.
—Wasn't that John? —Wasn't that John? —Snap!
Snap
Done, made, performed, etc., quickly and unexpectedly, or without deliberation.
A snap judgment or decision
A snap political convention
Snap
To break at once; to break short, as substances that are brittle.
Breaks the doors open, snaps the locks.
Snap
To strike, to hit, or to shut, with a sharp sound.
Snap
To bite or seize suddenly, especially with the teeth.
He, by playing too often at the mouth of death, has been snapped by it at last.
Snap
To break upon suddenly with sharp, angry words; to treat snappishly; - usually with up.
Snap
To crack; to cause to make a sharp, cracking noise; as, to snap a whip.
MacMorian snapped his fingers repeatedly.
Snap
To project with a snap.
Snap
To catch out sharply (a batsman who has just snicked a bowled ball).
Snap
To break short, or at once; to part asunder suddenly; as, a mast snaps; a needle snaps.
But this weapon will snap short, unfaithful to the hand that employs it.
Snap
To give forth, or produce, a sharp, cracking noise; to crack; as, blazing firewood snaps.
Snap
To make an effort to bite; to aim to seize with the teeth; to catch eagerly (at anything); - often with at; as, a dog snapsat a passenger; a fish snaps at the bait.
Snap
To utter sharp, harsh, angry words; - often with at; as, to snap at a child.
Snap
To miss fire; as, the gun snapped.
Snap
Of the eyes, to emit sudden, brief sparkles like those of a snapping fire, as sometimes in anger.
Snap
A sudden breaking or rupture of any substance.
Snap
A sudden, eager bite; a sudden seizing, or effort to seize, as with the teeth.
Snap
A sudden, sharp motion or blow, as with the finger sprung from the thumb, or the thumb from the finger.
Snap
A sharp, abrupt sound, as that made by the crack of a whip; as, the snap of the trigger of a gun.
Snap
A greedy fellow.
Snap
That which is, or may be, snapped up; something bitten off, seized, or obtained by a single quick movement; hence, a bite, morsel, or fragment; a scrap.
He's a nimble fellow,And alike skilled in every liberal science,As having certain snaps of all.
Snap
A sudden severe interval or spell; - applied to the weather; as, a cold snap.
Snap
A small catch or fastening held or closed by means of a spring, or one which closes with a snapping sound, as the catch of a bracelet, necklace, clasp of a book, etc.
Snap
A snap beetle.
Snap
A thin, crisp cake, usually small, and flavored with ginger; - used chiefly in the plural.
Snap
Briskness; vigor; energy; decision.
Snap
Any circumstance out of which money may be made or an advantage gained.
Snap
Any task, labor, set of circumstances, or the like, that yields satisfactory results or gives pleasure with little trouble or effort, as an easy course of study, a job where work is light, a bargain, etc.
Snap
A snap shot with a firearm.
Snap
A snapshot.
Snap
Something of no value; as, not worth a snap.
Snap
The action of snapping the ball back, from the center usu. to the quarterback, which commences the play (down), and, if the clock had stopped, restarts the timer clock; a snap back.
Snap
Done, performed, made, executed, carried through, or the like, quickly and without deliberation; as, a snap judgment or decision; a snap political convention.
Snap
The act of catching an object with the hands;
Mays made the catch with his back to the plate
He made a grab for the ball before it landed
Martin's snatch at the bridle failed and the horse raced away
The infielder's snap and throw was a single motion
Snap
A spell of cold weather;
A cold snap in the middle of May
Snap
Tender green beans without strings that easily snap into sections
Snap
A crisp round cookie flavored with ginger
Snap
The noise produced by the rapid movement of a finger from the tip to the base of the thumb on the same hand;
Servants appeared at the snap of his fingers
Snap
A sudden sharp noise;
The crack of a whip
He heard the cracking of the ice
He can hear the snap of a twig
Snap
A sudden breaking
Snap
The tendency of a body to return to its original shape after it has been stretched or compressed;
The waistband had lost its snap
Snap
An informal photograph; usually made with a small hand-held camera;
My snapshots haven't been developed yet
He tried to get unposed shots of his friends
Snap
A fastener used on clothing; fastens with a snapping sound;
Children can manage snaps better than buttons
Snap
Any undertaking that is easy to do;
Marketing this product will be no picnic
Snap
The act of snapping the fingers; movement of a finger from the tip to the base of the thumb on the same hand;
He gave his fingers a snap
Snap
(American football) putting the ball in play by passing it (between the legs) to a back;
The quarterback fumbled the snap
Snap
Utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone;
The sales clerky snapped a reply at the angry customer
The guard snarled at us
Snap
Separate or cause to separate abruptly;
The rope snapped
Tear the paper
Snap
Break suddenly and abruptly, as under tension;
The rope snapped
Snap
Move or strike with a noise;
He clicked on the light
His arm was snapped forward
Snap
Snap close with a sound;
The lock snapped shut
Snap
Make a sharp sound;
His fingers snapped
Snap
Move with a snapping sound;
Bullets snapped past us
Snap
To grasp hastily or eagerly;
Before I could stop him the dog snatched the ham bone
Snap
Put in play with a snap;
Snap a football
Snap
Cause to make a snapping sound;
Snap your fingers
Snap
Lose control of one's emotions;
When she heard that she had not passed the exam, she lost it completely
When her baby died, she snapped
Snap
Record on photographic film;
I photographed the scene of the accident
She snapped a picture of the President
Common Curiosities
What kind of equipment is generally used for snaps?
Snaps are typically taken with smartphones.
Are pictures always taken with professional cameras?
Not necessarily; pictures can also be taken with any camera, including smartphones, if done with intent.
Can snaps become pictures if taken with care?
Yes, a snap can evolve into a picture if taken with more attention to photographic quality.
How does a picture differ in purpose from a snap?
A picture is often taken with more deliberate intent, focusing on composition and detail.
What is typically the intention behind taking a snap?
To quickly and informally capture a moment as it happens.
Why might someone choose to take a snap instead of a picture?
For convenience and speed, especially to share on social media.
How does the audience differ for snaps versus pictures?
Snaps are often intended for casual sharing with friends or on social media, while pictures might target broader or more formal audiences.
Can a picture be a snap?
Technically, yes, if a picture is taken quickly and without much preparation, it can be considered a snap.
What skills are necessary for taking good pictures?
Understanding of camera settings, composition, lighting, and sometimes post-processing.
Is it correct to use 'snap' for professionally taken photographs?
Generally, 'snap' is not used for professional photography due to its informal connotation.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat