Photoacid generators (PAGs) comprising photoactive moieties and perfluorinated, multifunctional anionic moieties (or incipient anionic moieties) are disclosed which provide photoacids with high acid strength, low volatility and low diffusivity. The present invention further relates to photoacid generators as they are used in photoinitiated or acid-catalyzed processes for uses such as photoresists for microlithography and photopolymerization.