Systems and methods for perceptual image preview are described. In one aspect, a naive preview image is generated by downsampling a larger image. Perceptual features of the larger image are then detected. Information associated with the detected perceptual features is then incorporated into the naive preview image to create a perceptual preview image. Since the perceptual preview image incorporates information associated with the detected perceptual features, a viewer of the perceptual preview image will be more likely to detect the presence or absence of such perceptual features in the larger image.