diff --git a/qapi/block-core.json b/qapi/block-core.json
index 943df1926a..1522e2983f 100644
--- a/qapi/block-core.json
+++ b/qapi/block-core.json
@@ -78,6 +78,8 @@
 #
 # @bitmaps: A list of qcow2 bitmap details (since 4.0)
 #
+# @compression-type: the image cluster compression method (since 5.1)
+#
 # Since: 1.7
 ##
 { 'struct': 'ImageInfoSpecificQCow2',
@@ -89,7 +91,8 @@
       '*corrupt': 'bool',
       'refcount-bits': 'int',
       '*encrypt': 'ImageInfoSpecificQCow2Encryption',
-      '*bitmaps': ['Qcow2BitmapInfo']
+      '*bitmaps': ['Qcow2BitmapInfo'],
+      'compression-type': 'Qcow2CompressionType'
   } }
 
 ##
@@ -4284,6 +4287,18 @@
   'data': [ 'v2', 'v3' ] }
 
 
+##
+# @Qcow2CompressionType:
+#
+# Compression type used in qcow2 image file
+#
+# @zlib: zlib compression, see <http://zlib.net/>
+#
+# Since: 5.1
+##
+{ 'enum': 'Qcow2CompressionType',
+  'data': [ 'zlib' ] }
+
 ##
 # @BlockdevCreateOptionsQcow2:
 #
@@ -4307,6 +4322,8 @@
 #                 allowed values: off, falloc, full, metadata)
 # @lazy-refcounts: True if refcounts may be updated lazily (default: off)
 # @refcount-bits: Width of reference counts in bits (default: 16)
+# @compression-type: The image cluster compression method
+#                    (default: zlib, since 5.1)
 #
 # Since: 2.12
 ##
@@ -4322,7 +4339,8 @@
             '*cluster-size':    'size',
             '*preallocation':   'PreallocMode',
             '*lazy-refcounts':  'bool',
-            '*refcount-bits':   'int' } }
+            '*refcount-bits':   'int',
+            '*compression-type':'Qcow2CompressionType' } }
 
 ##
 # @BlockdevCreateOptionsQed:
diff --git a/block/qcow2.h b/block/qcow2.h
index f4de0a27d5..6a8b82e6cc 100644
--- a/block/qcow2.h
+++ b/block/qcow2.h
@@ -146,8 +146,16 @@ typedef struct QCowHeader {
 
     uint32_t refcount_order;
     uint32_t header_length;
+
+    /* Additional fields */
+    uint8_t compression_type;
+
+    /* header must be a multiple of 8 */
+    uint8_t padding[7];
 } QEMU_PACKED QCowHeader;
 
+QEMU_BUILD_BUG_ON(!QEMU_IS_ALIGNED(sizeof(QCowHeader), 8));
+
 typedef struct QEMU_PACKED QCowSnapshotHeader {
     /* header is 8 byte aligned */
     uint64_t l1_table_offset;
@@ -216,13 +224,16 @@ enum {
     QCOW2_INCOMPAT_DIRTY_BITNR      = 0,
     QCOW2_INCOMPAT_CORRUPT_BITNR    = 1,
     QCOW2_INCOMPAT_DATA_FILE_BITNR  = 2,
+    QCOW2_INCOMPAT_COMPRESSION_BITNR = 3,
     QCOW2_INCOMPAT_DIRTY            = 1 << QCOW2_INCOMPAT_DIRTY_BITNR,
     QCOW2_INCOMPAT_CORRUPT          = 1 << QCOW2_INCOMPAT_CORRUPT_BITNR,
     QCOW2_INCOMPAT_DATA_FILE        = 1 << QCOW2_INCOMPAT_DATA_FILE_BITNR,
+    QCOW2_INCOMPAT_COMPRESSION      = 1 << QCOW2_INCOMPAT_COMPRESSION_BITNR,
 
     QCOW2_INCOMPAT_MASK             = QCOW2_INCOMPAT_DIRTY
                                     | QCOW2_INCOMPAT_CORRUPT
-                                    | QCOW2_INCOMPAT_DATA_FILE,
+                                    | QCOW2_INCOMPAT_DATA_FILE
+                                    | QCOW2_INCOMPAT_COMPRESSION,
 };
 
 /* Compatible feature bits */
@@ -366,6 +377,13 @@ typedef struct BDRVQcow2State {
 
     bool metadata_preallocation_checked;
     bool metadata_preallocation;
+    /*
+     * Compression type used for the image. Default: 0 - ZLIB
+     * The image compression type is set on image creation.
+     * For now, the only way to change the compression type
+     * is to convert the image with the desired compression type set.
+     */
+    Qcow2CompressionType compression_type;
 } BDRVQcow2State;
 
 typedef struct Qcow2COWRegion {
diff --git a/include/block/block_int.h b/include/block/block_int.h
index 4c3587ea19..bc91b69f46 100644
--- a/include/block/block_int.h
+++ b/include/block/block_int.h
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@
 #define BLOCK_OPT_REFCOUNT_BITS     "refcount_bits"
 #define BLOCK_OPT_DATA_FILE         "data_file"
 #define BLOCK_OPT_DATA_FILE_RAW     "data_file_raw"
+#define BLOCK_OPT_COMPRESSION_TYPE  "compression_type"
 
 #define BLOCK_PROBE_BUF_SIZE        512
 
diff --git a/block/qcow2.c b/block/qcow2.c
index b524b0c53f..9c0b20c912 100644
--- a/block/qcow2.c
+++ b/block/qcow2.c
@@ -1242,6 +1242,39 @@ static int qcow2_update_options(BlockDriverState *bs, QDict *options,
     return ret;
 }
 
+static int validate_compression_type(BDRVQcow2State *s, Error **errp)
+{
+    switch (s->compression_type) {
+    case QCOW2_COMPRESSION_TYPE_ZLIB:
+        break;
+
+    default:
+        error_setg(errp, "qcow2: unknown compression type: %u",
+                   s->compression_type);
+        return -ENOTSUP;
+    }
+
+    /*
+     * if the compression type differs from QCOW2_COMPRESSION_TYPE_ZLIB
+     * the incompatible feature flag must be set
+     */
+    if (s->compression_type == QCOW2_COMPRESSION_TYPE_ZLIB) {
+        if (s->incompatible_features & QCOW2_INCOMPAT_COMPRESSION) {
+            error_setg(errp, "qcow2: Compression type incompatible feature "
+                             "bit must not be set");
+            return -EINVAL;
+        }
+    } else {
+        if (!(s->incompatible_features & QCOW2_INCOMPAT_COMPRESSION)) {
+            error_setg(errp, "qcow2: Compression type incompatible feature "
+                             "bit must be set");
+            return -EINVAL;
+        }
+    }
+
+    return 0;
+}
+
 /* Called with s->lock held.  */
 static int coroutine_fn qcow2_do_open(BlockDriverState *bs, QDict *options,
                                       int flags, Error **errp)
@@ -1357,6 +1390,23 @@ static int coroutine_fn qcow2_do_open(BlockDriverState *bs, QDict *options,
     s->compatible_features      = header.compatible_features;
     s->autoclear_features       = header.autoclear_features;
 
+    /*
+     * Handle compression type
+     * Older qcow2 images don't contain the compression type header.
+     * Distinguish them by the header length and use
+     * the only valid (default) compression type in that case
+     */
+    if (header.header_length > offsetof(QCowHeader, compression_type)) {
+        s->compression_type = header.compression_type;
+    } else {
+        s->compression_type = QCOW2_COMPRESSION_TYPE_ZLIB;
+    }
+
+    ret = validate_compression_type(s, errp);
+    if (ret) {
+        goto fail;
+    }
+
     if (s->incompatible_features & ~QCOW2_INCOMPAT_MASK) {
         void *feature_table = NULL;
         qcow2_read_extensions(bs, header.header_length, ext_end,
@@ -2727,6 +2777,11 @@ int qcow2_update_header(BlockDriverState *bs)
     total_size = bs->total_sectors * BDRV_SECTOR_SIZE;
     refcount_table_clusters = s->refcount_table_size >> (s->cluster_bits - 3);
 
+    ret = validate_compression_type(s, NULL);
+    if (ret) {
+        goto fail;
+    }
+
     *header = (QCowHeader) {
         /* Version 2 fields */
         .magic                  = cpu_to_be32(QCOW_MAGIC),
@@ -2749,6 +2804,7 @@ int qcow2_update_header(BlockDriverState *bs)
         .autoclear_features     = cpu_to_be64(s->autoclear_features),
         .refcount_order         = cpu_to_be32(s->refcount_order),
         .header_length          = cpu_to_be32(header_length),
+        .compression_type       = s->compression_type,
     };
 
     /* For older versions, write a shorter header */
@@ -2848,6 +2904,11 @@ int qcow2_update_header(BlockDriverState *bs)
                 .bit  = QCOW2_INCOMPAT_DATA_FILE_BITNR,
                 .name = "external data file",
             },
+            {
+                .type = QCOW2_FEAT_TYPE_INCOMPATIBLE,
+                .bit  = QCOW2_INCOMPAT_COMPRESSION_BITNR,
+                .name = "compression type",
+            },
             {
                 .type = QCOW2_FEAT_TYPE_COMPATIBLE,
                 .bit  = QCOW2_COMPAT_LAZY_REFCOUNTS_BITNR,
@@ -3286,6 +3347,7 @@ qcow2_co_create(BlockdevCreateOptions *create_options, Error **errp)
     uint64_t* refcount_table;
     Error *local_err = NULL;
     int ret;
+    uint8_t compression_type = QCOW2_COMPRESSION_TYPE_ZLIB;
 
     assert(create_options->driver == BLOCKDEV_DRIVER_QCOW2);
     qcow2_opts = &create_options->u.qcow2;
@@ -3403,6 +3465,27 @@ qcow2_co_create(BlockdevCreateOptions *create_options, Error **errp)
         }
     }
 
+    if (qcow2_opts->has_compression_type &&
+        qcow2_opts->compression_type != QCOW2_COMPRESSION_TYPE_ZLIB) {
+
+        ret = -EINVAL;
+
+        if (version < 3) {
+            error_setg(errp, "Non-zlib compression type is only supported with "
+                       "compatibility level 1.1 and above (use version=v3 or "
+                       "greater)");
+            goto out;
+        }
+
+        switch (qcow2_opts->compression_type) {
+        default:
+            error_setg(errp, "Unknown compression type");
+            goto out;
+        }
+
+        compression_type = qcow2_opts->compression_type;
+    }
+
     /* Create BlockBackend to write to the image */
     blk = blk_new(bdrv_get_aio_context(bs),
                   BLK_PERM_WRITE | BLK_PERM_RESIZE, BLK_PERM_ALL);
@@ -3425,6 +3508,8 @@ qcow2_co_create(BlockdevCreateOptions *create_options, Error **errp)
         .refcount_table_offset      = cpu_to_be64(cluster_size),
         .refcount_table_clusters    = cpu_to_be32(1),
         .refcount_order             = cpu_to_be32(refcount_order),
+        /* don't deal with endianness since compression_type is 1 byte long */
+        .compression_type           = compression_type,
         .header_length              = cpu_to_be32(sizeof(*header)),
     };
 
@@ -3443,6 +3528,10 @@ qcow2_co_create(BlockdevCreateOptions *create_options, Error **errp)
         header->autoclear_features |=
             cpu_to_be64(QCOW2_AUTOCLEAR_DATA_FILE_RAW);
     }
+    if (compression_type != QCOW2_COMPRESSION_TYPE_ZLIB) {
+        header->incompatible_features |=
+            cpu_to_be64(QCOW2_INCOMPAT_COMPRESSION);
+    }
 
     ret = blk_pwrite(blk, 0, header, cluster_size, 0);
     g_free(header);
@@ -3628,6 +3717,7 @@ static int coroutine_fn qcow2_co_create_opts(BlockDriver *drv,
         { BLOCK_OPT_ENCRYPT,            BLOCK_OPT_ENCRYPT_FORMAT },
         { BLOCK_OPT_COMPAT_LEVEL,       "version" },
         { BLOCK_OPT_DATA_FILE_RAW,      "data-file-raw" },
+        { BLOCK_OPT_COMPRESSION_TYPE,   "compression-type" },
         { NULL, NULL },
     };
 
@@ -4861,6 +4951,7 @@ static ImageInfoSpecific *qcow2_get_specific_info(BlockDriverState *bs,
             .data_file          = g_strdup(s->image_data_file),
             .has_data_file_raw  = has_data_file(bs),
             .data_file_raw      = data_file_is_raw(bs),
+            .compression_type   = s->compression_type,
         };
     } else {
         /* if this assertion fails, this probably means a new version was
@@ -5250,6 +5341,22 @@ static int qcow2_amend_options(BlockDriverState *bs, QemuOpts *opts,
                                  "images");
                 return -EINVAL;
             }
+        } else if (!strcmp(desc->name, BLOCK_OPT_COMPRESSION_TYPE)) {
+            const char *ct_name =
+                qemu_opt_get(opts, BLOCK_OPT_COMPRESSION_TYPE);
+            int compression_type =
+                qapi_enum_parse(&Qcow2CompressionType_lookup, ct_name, -1,
+                                NULL);
+            if (compression_type == -1) {
+                error_setg(errp, "Unknown compression type: %s", ct_name);
+                return -ENOTSUP;
+            }
+
+            if (compression_type != s->compression_type) {
+                error_setg(errp, "Changing the compression type "
+                                 "is not supported");
+                return -ENOTSUP;
+            }
         } else {
             /* if this point is reached, this probably means a new option was
              * added without having it covered here */
@@ -5518,6 +5625,12 @@ static QemuOptsList qcow2_create_opts = {
             .help = "Width of a reference count entry in bits",
             .def_value_str = "16"
         },
+        {
+            .name = BLOCK_OPT_COMPRESSION_TYPE,
+            .type = QEMU_OPT_STRING,
+            .help = "Compression method used for image cluster compression",
+            .def_value_str = "zlib"
+        },
         { /* end of list */ }
     }
 };
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/031.out b/tests/qemu-iotests/031.out
index 46f97c5a4e..5a4beda6a2 100644
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/031.out
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/031.out
@@ -113,11 +113,11 @@ incompatible_features     []
 compatible_features       []
 autoclear_features        []
 refcount_order            4
-header_length             104
+header_length             112
 
 Header extension:
 magic                     0x6803f857
-length                    288
+length                    336
 data                      <binary>
 
 Header extension:
@@ -146,11 +146,11 @@ incompatible_features     []
 compatible_features       []
 autoclear_features        []
 refcount_order            4
-header_length             104
+header_length             112
 
 Header extension:
 magic                     0x6803f857
-length                    288
+length                    336
 data                      <binary>
 
 Header extension:
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ No errors were found on the image.
 
 magic                     0x514649fb
 version                   3
-backing_file_offset       0x1d8
+backing_file_offset       0x210
 backing_file_size         0x17
 cluster_bits              16
 size                      67108864
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ incompatible_features     []
 compatible_features       []
 autoclear_features        []
 refcount_order            4
-header_length             104
+header_length             112
 
 Header extension:
 magic                     0xe2792aca
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ data                      'host_device'
 
 Header extension:
 magic                     0x6803f857
-length                    288
+length                    336
 data                      <binary>
 
 Header extension:
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/036.out b/tests/qemu-iotests/036.out
index 23b699ce06..e409acf60e 100644
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/036.out
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/036.out
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ compatible_features       []
 autoclear_features        [63]
 Header extension:
 magic                     0x6803f857
-length                    288
+length                    336
 data                      <binary>
 
 
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ compatible_features       []
 autoclear_features        []
 Header extension:
 magic                     0x6803f857
-length                    288
+length                    336
 data                      <binary>
 
 *** done
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/049.out b/tests/qemu-iotests/049.out
index affa55b341..a5cfba1756 100644
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/049.out
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/049.out
@@ -4,90 +4,90 @@ QA output created by 049
 == 1. Traditional size parameter ==
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 1024
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1024 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1024 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 1024b
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1024 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1024 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 1k
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1024 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1024 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 1K
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1024 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1024 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 1M
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1048576 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1048576 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 1G
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1073741824 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1073741824 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 1T
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1099511627776 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1099511627776 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 1024.0
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1024 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1024 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 1024.0b
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1024 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1024 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 1.5k
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1536 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1536 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 1.5K
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1536 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1536 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 1.5M
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1572864 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1572864 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 1.5G
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1610612736 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1610612736 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 1.5T
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1649267441664 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1649267441664 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 == 2. Specifying size via -o ==
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o size=1024 TEST_DIR/t.qcow2
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1024 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1024 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o size=1024b TEST_DIR/t.qcow2
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1024 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1024 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o size=1k TEST_DIR/t.qcow2
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1024 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1024 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o size=1K TEST_DIR/t.qcow2
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1024 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1024 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o size=1M TEST_DIR/t.qcow2
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1048576 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1048576 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o size=1G TEST_DIR/t.qcow2
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1073741824 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1073741824 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o size=1T TEST_DIR/t.qcow2
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1099511627776 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1099511627776 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o size=1024.0 TEST_DIR/t.qcow2
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1024 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1024 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o size=1024.0b TEST_DIR/t.qcow2
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1024 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1024 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o size=1.5k TEST_DIR/t.qcow2
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1536 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1536 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o size=1.5K TEST_DIR/t.qcow2
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1536 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1536 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o size=1.5M TEST_DIR/t.qcow2
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1572864 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1572864 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o size=1.5G TEST_DIR/t.qcow2
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1610612736 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1610612736 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o size=1.5T TEST_DIR/t.qcow2
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1649267441664 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=1649267441664 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 == 3. Invalid sizes ==
 
@@ -129,84 +129,84 @@ qemu-img: TEST_DIR/t.qcow2: The image size must be specified only once
 == Check correct interpretation of suffixes for cluster size ==
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o cluster_size=1024 TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 64M
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 cluster_size=1024 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 cluster_size=1024 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o cluster_size=1024b TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 64M
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 cluster_size=1024 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 cluster_size=1024 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o cluster_size=1k TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 64M
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 cluster_size=1024 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 cluster_size=1024 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o cluster_size=1K TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 64M
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 cluster_size=1024 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 cluster_size=1024 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o cluster_size=1M TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 64M
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 cluster_size=1048576 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 cluster_size=1048576 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o cluster_size=1024.0 TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 64M
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 cluster_size=1024 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 cluster_size=1024 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o cluster_size=1024.0b TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 64M
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 cluster_size=1024 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 cluster_size=1024 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o cluster_size=0.5k TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 64M
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 cluster_size=512 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 cluster_size=512 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o cluster_size=0.5K TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 64M
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 cluster_size=512 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 cluster_size=512 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o cluster_size=0.5M TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 64M
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 cluster_size=524288 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 cluster_size=524288 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 == Check compat level option ==
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o compat=0.10 TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 64M
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 compat=0.10 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 compat=0.10 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o compat=1.1 TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 64M
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 compat=1.1 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 compat=1.1 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o compat=0.42 TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 64M
 qemu-img: TEST_DIR/t.qcow2: Invalid parameter '0.42'
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 compat=0.42 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 compat=0.42 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o compat=foobar TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 64M
 qemu-img: TEST_DIR/t.qcow2: Invalid parameter 'foobar'
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 compat=foobar cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 compat=foobar cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 == Check preallocation option ==
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o preallocation=off TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 64M
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 cluster_size=65536 preallocation=off lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 cluster_size=65536 preallocation=off lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o preallocation=metadata TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 64M
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 cluster_size=65536 preallocation=metadata lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 cluster_size=65536 preallocation=metadata lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o preallocation=1234 TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 64M
 qemu-img: TEST_DIR/t.qcow2: Invalid parameter '1234'
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 cluster_size=65536 preallocation=1234 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 cluster_size=65536 preallocation=1234 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 == Check encryption option ==
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o encryption=off TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 64M
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 encryption=off cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 encryption=off cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 --object secret,id=sec0,data=123456 -o encryption=on,encrypt.key-secret=sec0 TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 64M
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 encryption=on encrypt.key-secret=sec0 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 encryption=on encrypt.key-secret=sec0 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 == Check lazy_refcounts option (only with v3) ==
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o compat=1.1,lazy_refcounts=off TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 64M
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 compat=1.1 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 compat=1.1 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o compat=1.1,lazy_refcounts=on TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 64M
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 compat=1.1 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=on refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 compat=1.1 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=on refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o compat=0.10,lazy_refcounts=off TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 64M
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 compat=0.10 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 compat=0.10 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 qemu-img create -f qcow2 -o compat=0.10,lazy_refcounts=on TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 64M
 qemu-img: TEST_DIR/t.qcow2: Lazy refcounts only supported with compatibility level 1.1 and above (use version=v3 or greater)
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 compat=0.10 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=on refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=67108864 compat=0.10 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=on refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 *** done
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/060.out b/tests/qemu-iotests/060.out
index 09caaea865..be5f8707a3 100644
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/060.out
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/060.out
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ virtual size: 64 MiB (67108864 bytes)
 cluster_size: 65536
 Format specific information:
     compat: 1.1
+    compression type: zlib
     lazy refcounts: false
     refcount bits: 16
     corrupt: true
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/061.out b/tests/qemu-iotests/061.out
index 413cc4e0f4..45c029228c 100644
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/061.out
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/061.out
@@ -22,11 +22,11 @@ incompatible_features     []
 compatible_features       [0]
 autoclear_features        []
 refcount_order            4
-header_length             104
+header_length             112
 
 Header extension:
 magic                     0x6803f857
-length                    288
+length                    336
 data                      <binary>
 
 magic                     0x514649fb
@@ -80,11 +80,11 @@ incompatible_features     []
 compatible_features       [0]
 autoclear_features        []
 refcount_order            4
-header_length             104
+header_length             112
 
 Header extension:
 magic                     0x6803f857
-length                    288
+length                    336
 data                      <binary>
 
 magic                     0x514649fb
@@ -136,11 +136,11 @@ incompatible_features     [0]
 compatible_features       [0]
 autoclear_features        []
 refcount_order            4
-header_length             104
+header_length             112
 
 Header extension:
 magic                     0x6803f857
-length                    288
+length                    336
 data                      <binary>
 
 ERROR cluster 5 refcount=0 reference=1
@@ -191,11 +191,11 @@ incompatible_features     []
 compatible_features       [42]
 autoclear_features        [42]
 refcount_order            4
-header_length             104
+header_length             112
 
 Header extension:
 magic                     0x6803f857
-length                    288
+length                    336
 data                      <binary>
 
 magic                     0x514649fb
@@ -260,11 +260,11 @@ incompatible_features     []
 compatible_features       [0]
 autoclear_features        []
 refcount_order            4
-header_length             104
+header_length             112
 
 Header extension:
 magic                     0x6803f857
-length                    288
+length                    336
 data                      <binary>
 
 read 65536/65536 bytes at offset 44040192
@@ -294,11 +294,11 @@ incompatible_features     [0]
 compatible_features       [0]
 autoclear_features        []
 refcount_order            4
-header_length             104
+header_length             112
 
 Header extension:
 magic                     0x6803f857
-length                    288
+length                    336
 data                      <binary>
 
 ERROR cluster 5 refcount=0 reference=1
@@ -323,11 +323,11 @@ incompatible_features     []
 compatible_features       []
 autoclear_features        []
 refcount_order            4
-header_length             104
+header_length             112
 
 Header extension:
 magic                     0x6803f857
-length                    288
+length                    336
 data                      <binary>
 
 read 131072/131072 bytes at offset 0
@@ -491,6 +491,7 @@ virtual size: 64 MiB (67108864 bytes)
 cluster_size: 65536
 Format specific information:
     compat: 1.1
+    compression type: zlib
     lazy refcounts: false
     refcount bits: 16
     data file: TEST_DIR/t.IMGFMT.data
@@ -511,6 +512,7 @@ virtual size: 64 MiB (67108864 bytes)
 cluster_size: 65536
 Format specific information:
     compat: 1.1
+    compression type: zlib
     lazy refcounts: false
     refcount bits: 16
     data file: foo
@@ -524,6 +526,7 @@ virtual size: 64 MiB (67108864 bytes)
 cluster_size: 65536
 Format specific information:
     compat: 1.1
+    compression type: zlib
     lazy refcounts: false
     refcount bits: 16
     data file raw: false
@@ -538,6 +541,7 @@ virtual size: 64 MiB (67108864 bytes)
 cluster_size: 65536
 Format specific information:
     compat: 1.1
+    compression type: zlib
     lazy refcounts: false
     refcount bits: 16
     data file: TEST_DIR/t.IMGFMT.data
@@ -550,6 +554,7 @@ virtual size: 64 MiB (67108864 bytes)
 cluster_size: 65536
 Format specific information:
     compat: 1.1
+    compression type: zlib
     lazy refcounts: false
     refcount bits: 16
     data file: TEST_DIR/t.IMGFMT.data
@@ -563,6 +568,7 @@ virtual size: 64 MiB (67108864 bytes)
 cluster_size: 65536
 Format specific information:
     compat: 1.1
+    compression type: zlib
     lazy refcounts: false
     refcount bits: 16
     data file: TEST_DIR/t.IMGFMT.data
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/065 b/tests/qemu-iotests/065
index 6426474271..18dc488c7a 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/065
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/065
@@ -88,24 +88,30 @@ class TestQMP(TestImageInfoSpecific):
 class TestQCow2(TestQemuImgInfo):
     '''Testing a qcow2 version 2 image'''
     img_options = 'compat=0.10'
-    json_compare = { 'compat': '0.10', 'refcount-bits': 16 }
-    human_compare = [ 'compat: 0.10', 'refcount bits: 16' ]
+    json_compare = { 'compat': '0.10', 'refcount-bits': 16,
+                     'compression-type': 'zlib' }
+    human_compare = [ 'compat: 0.10', 'compression type: zlib',
+                      'refcount bits: 16' ]
 
 class TestQCow3NotLazy(TestQemuImgInfo):
     '''Testing a qcow2 version 3 image with lazy refcounts disabled'''
     img_options = 'compat=1.1,lazy_refcounts=off'
     json_compare = { 'compat': '1.1', 'lazy-refcounts': False,
-                     'refcount-bits': 16, 'corrupt': False }
-    human_compare = [ 'compat: 1.1', 'lazy refcounts: false',
-                      'refcount bits: 16', 'corrupt: false' ]
+                     'refcount-bits': 16, 'corrupt': False,
+                     'compression-type': 'zlib' }
+    human_compare = [ 'compat: 1.1', 'compression type: zlib',
+                      'lazy refcounts: false', 'refcount bits: 16',
+                      'corrupt: false' ]
 
 class TestQCow3Lazy(TestQemuImgInfo):
     '''Testing a qcow2 version 3 image with lazy refcounts enabled'''
     img_options = 'compat=1.1,lazy_refcounts=on'
     json_compare = { 'compat': '1.1', 'lazy-refcounts': True,
-                     'refcount-bits': 16, 'corrupt': False }
-    human_compare = [ 'compat: 1.1', 'lazy refcounts: true',
-                      'refcount bits: 16', 'corrupt: false' ]
+                     'refcount-bits': 16, 'corrupt': False,
+                     'compression-type': 'zlib' }
+    human_compare = [ 'compat: 1.1', 'compression type: zlib',
+                      'lazy refcounts: true', 'refcount bits: 16',
+                      'corrupt: false' ]
 
 class TestQCow3NotLazyQMP(TestQMP):
     '''Testing a qcow2 version 3 image with lazy refcounts disabled, opening
@@ -113,7 +119,8 @@ class TestQCow3NotLazyQMP(TestQMP):
     img_options = 'compat=1.1,lazy_refcounts=off'
     qemu_options = 'lazy-refcounts=on'
     compare = { 'compat': '1.1', 'lazy-refcounts': False,
-                'refcount-bits': 16, 'corrupt': False }
+                'refcount-bits': 16, 'corrupt': False,
+                'compression-type': 'zlib' }
 
 
 class TestQCow3LazyQMP(TestQMP):
@@ -122,7 +129,8 @@ class TestQCow3LazyQMP(TestQMP):
     img_options = 'compat=1.1,lazy_refcounts=on'
     qemu_options = 'lazy-refcounts=off'
     compare = { 'compat': '1.1', 'lazy-refcounts': True,
-                'refcount-bits': 16, 'corrupt': False }
+                'refcount-bits': 16, 'corrupt': False,
+                'compression-type': 'zlib' }
 
 TestImageInfoSpecific = None
 TestQemuImgInfo = None
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/080 b/tests/qemu-iotests/080
index a3d13c414e..7588c63b6c 100755
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/080
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/080
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ _supported_os Linux
 # - This is generally a test for compat=1.1 images
 _unsupported_imgopts 'refcount_bits=1[^0-9]' data_file 'compat=0.10'
 
-header_size=104
+header_size=112
 
 offset_backing_file_offset=8
 offset_backing_file_size=16
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/144.out b/tests/qemu-iotests/144.out
index c7aa2e4820..885a8874a5 100644
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/144.out
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/144.out
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.IMGFMT', fmt=IMGFMT size=536870912
 { 'execute': 'qmp_capabilities' }
 {"return": {}}
 { 'execute': 'blockdev-snapshot-sync', 'arguments': { 'device': 'virtio0', 'snapshot-file':'TEST_DIR/tmp.IMGFMT', 'format': 'IMGFMT' } }
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/tmp.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=536870912 backing_file=TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 backing_fmt=qcow2 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/tmp.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=536870912 backing_file=TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 backing_fmt=qcow2 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 {"return": {}}
 
 === Performing block-commit on active layer ===
@@ -31,6 +31,6 @@ Formatting 'TEST_DIR/tmp.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=536870912 backing_file=TEST_DIR/
 === Performing Live Snapshot 2 ===
 
 { 'execute': 'blockdev-snapshot-sync', 'arguments': { 'device': 'virtio0', 'snapshot-file':'TEST_DIR/tmp2.IMGFMT', 'format': 'IMGFMT' } }
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/tmp2.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=536870912 backing_file=TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 backing_fmt=qcow2 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/tmp2.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=536870912 backing_file=TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 backing_fmt=qcow2 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 {"return": {}}
 *** done
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/182.out b/tests/qemu-iotests/182.out
index a8eea166c3..ae43654d32 100644
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/182.out
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/182.out
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ Is another process using the image [TEST_DIR/t.qcow2]?
 {'execute': 'blockdev-add', 'arguments': { 'node-name': 'node0', 'driver': 'file', 'filename': 'TEST_DIR/t.IMGFMT', 'locking': 'on' } }
 {"return": {}}
 {'execute': 'blockdev-snapshot-sync', 'arguments': { 'node-name': 'node0', 'snapshot-file': 'TEST_DIR/t.IMGFMT.overlay', 'snapshot-node-name': 'node1' } }
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2.overlay', fmt=qcow2 size=197120 backing_file=TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 backing_fmt=file cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/t.qcow2.overlay', fmt=qcow2 size=197120 backing_file=TEST_DIR/t.qcow2 backing_fmt=file cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 {"return": {}}
 {'execute': 'blockdev-add', 'arguments': { 'node-name': 'node1', 'driver': 'file', 'filename': 'TEST_DIR/t.IMGFMT', 'locking': 'on' } }
 {"return": {}}
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/242.out b/tests/qemu-iotests/242.out
index 7ac8404d11..091b9126ce 100644
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/242.out
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/242.out
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ virtual size: 1 MiB (1048576 bytes)
 cluster_size: 65536
 Format specific information:
     compat: 1.1
+    compression type: zlib
     lazy refcounts: false
     refcount bits: 16
     corrupt: false
@@ -32,6 +33,7 @@ virtual size: 1 MiB (1048576 bytes)
 cluster_size: 65536
 Format specific information:
     compat: 1.1
+    compression type: zlib
     lazy refcounts: false
     bitmaps:
         [0]:
@@ -64,6 +66,7 @@ virtual size: 1 MiB (1048576 bytes)
 cluster_size: 65536
 Format specific information:
     compat: 1.1
+    compression type: zlib
     lazy refcounts: false
     bitmaps:
         [0]:
@@ -104,6 +107,7 @@ virtual size: 1 MiB (1048576 bytes)
 cluster_size: 65536
 Format specific information:
     compat: 1.1
+    compression type: zlib
     lazy refcounts: false
     bitmaps:
         [0]:
@@ -153,6 +157,7 @@ virtual size: 1 MiB (1048576 bytes)
 cluster_size: 65536
 Format specific information:
     compat: 1.1
+    compression type: zlib
     lazy refcounts: false
     bitmaps:
         [0]:
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/255.out b/tests/qemu-iotests/255.out
index 348909fdef..a3c99fd62e 100644
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/255.out
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/255.out
@@ -3,9 +3,9 @@ Finishing a commit job with background reads
 
 === Create backing chain and start VM ===
 
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/PID-t.qcow2.mid', fmt=qcow2 size=134217728 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/PID-t.qcow2.mid', fmt=qcow2 size=134217728 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/PID-t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=134217728 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/PID-t.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=134217728 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 === Start background read requests ===
 
@@ -23,9 +23,9 @@ Closing the VM while a job is being cancelled
 
 === Create images and start VM ===
 
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/PID-src.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=134217728 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/PID-src.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=134217728 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
-Formatting 'TEST_DIR/PID-dst.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=134217728 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16
+Formatting 'TEST_DIR/PID-dst.qcow2', fmt=qcow2 size=134217728 cluster_size=65536 lazy_refcounts=off refcount_bits=16 compression_type=zlib
 
 wrote 1048576/1048576 bytes at offset 0
 1 MiB, X ops; XX:XX:XX.X (XXX YYY/sec and XXX ops/sec)
diff --git a/tests/qemu-iotests/common.filter b/tests/qemu-iotests/common.filter
index 3f8ee3e5f7..279e0bbb0d 100644
--- a/tests/qemu-iotests/common.filter
+++ b/tests/qemu-iotests/common.filter
@@ -152,7 +152,8 @@ _filter_img_create()
         -e "s# refcount_bits=[0-9]\\+##g" \
         -e "s# key-secret=[a-zA-Z0-9]\\+##g" \
         -e "s# iter-time=[0-9]\\+##g" \
-        -e "s# force_size=\\(on\\|off\\)##g"
+        -e "s# force_size=\\(on\\|off\\)##g" \
+        -e "s# compression_type=[a-zA-Z0-9]\\+##g"
 }
 
 _filter_img_info()
