A method of compressing image data that comprise a plurality of pixel values which are associated with a respective pixel of a plurality of pixels, wherein the pixels are provided in an arrangement of rows and columns, with each row or column corresponding to a pixel alignment having a predetermined order of pixels, wherein the pixel values for at least some pixels are compressed in accordance with the following steps: - associating the respective pixel with one of a plurality of pixel groups in accordance with a predetermined grouping scheme, with each of the plurality of pixel groups being defined by the pixels of a plurality of predetermined pixel alignments (14, a, u) or by a subset of pixels of a plurality of predetermined pixel alignments (14, a, u) and wherein the affiliation of the respective pixel with the pixel group results directly from the position of the respective pixel; - determining an estimated pixel value of the respective pixel in dependence on the pixel value of at least one predetermined other pixel (12", 22, 24) while using at least one estimation rule, with the at least one predetermined other pixel (12", 22, 24) being selected in dependence on the pixel group of the respective pixel, wherein the plurality of pixel groups comprise a first pixel group and a second pixel group, wherein, when the respective pixel is associated with the first pixel group, the respective pixel and the at least one predetermined other pixel (12") belong to the same pixel alignment, wherein, when the respective pixel is associated with the second pixel group, the determination of the estimated pixel value is carried out in dependence on a plurality of predetermined other pixels (12", 22, 24) that belong to at least one other pixel alignment (14, 14"), wherein the predetermined pixel alignments (a, u) of the first pixel group and the second pixel group are defined alternatingly pairwise in the arrangement of pixels, wherein, when the respective pixel is associated with the second pixel group, the plurality of predetermined other pixels that belong to a different pixel alignment (14") belong to the first pixel group; - forming a difference value (D1, D2, D3) of the respective pixel that corresponds to a predetermined relation between the pixel value and the estimated pixel value of the respective pixel; and - encoding the difference value (D1, D2, D3) using an encoding process. wherein the pixel values for at least some pixels are compressed in accordance with the following steps: - associating the respective pixel with one of a plurality of pixel groups in accordance with a predetermined grouping scheme, with each of the plurality of pixel groups being defined by the pixels of a plurality of predetermined pixel alignments (14, a, u) or by a subset of pixels of a plurality of predetermined pixel alignments (14, a, u) and wherein the affiliation of the respective pixel with the pixel group results directly from the position of the respective pixel; - determining an estimated pixel value of the respective pixel in dependence on the pixel value of at least one predetermined other pixel (12", 22, 24) while using at least one estimation rule, with the at least one predetermined other pixel (12", 22, 24) being selected in dependence on the pixel group of the respective pixel, - associating the respective pixel with one of a plurality of pixel groups in accordance with a predetermined grouping scheme, with each of the plurality of pixel groups being defined by the pixels of a plurality of predetermined pixel alignments (14, a, u) or by a subset of pixels of a plurality of predetermined pixel alignments (14, a, u) and wherein the affiliation of the respective pixel with the pixel group results directly from the position of the respective pixel; - determining an estimated pixel value of the respective pixel in dependence on the pixel value of at least one predetermined other pixel (12", 22, 24) while using at least one estimation rule, with the at least one predetermined other pixel (12", 22, 24) being selected in dependence on the pixel group of the respective pixel, wherein the plurality of pixel groups comprise a first pixel group and a second pixel group, wherein, when the respective pixel is associated with the first pixel group, the respective pixel and the at least one predetermined other pixel (12") belong to the same pixel alignment, wherein, when the respective pixel is associated with the second pixel group, the determination of the estimated pixel value is carried out in dependence on a plurality of predetermined other pixels (12", 22, 24) that belong to at least one other pixel alignment (14, 14"), wherein the predetermined pixel alignments (a, u) of the first pixel group and the second pixel group are defined alternatingly pairwise in the arrangement of pixels, wherein, when the respective pixel is associated with the second pixel group, the plurality of predetermined other pixels that belong to a different pixel alignment (14") belong to the first pixel group; - forming a difference value (D1, D2, D3) of the respective pixel that corresponds to a predetermined relation between the pixel value and the estimated pixel value of the respective pixel; and - encoding the difference value (D1, D2, D3) using an encoding process. - forming a difference value (D1, D2, D3) of the respective pixel that corresponds to a predetermined relation between the pixel value and the estimated pixel value of the respective pixel; and - encoding the difference value (D1, D2, D3) using an encoding process.