What EXIF data do digital photos contain?

Just about all new digital cameras store .jpg and RAW files with EXIF (Exchangeable Image File) data. The camera records settings, time and scene information into metadata that accompanies the image.

Here's an example of captured EXIF data, and here are some of the categories of EXIF information:

• date and time

• camera model

• shutter speed

• aperture

• focal length

• exposure

• metering pattern and if a flash was used

• image dimensions (in pixels)

• several other attributes.

Some newer cameras also come with location information.

Photo sharing sites like Flickr display a photo's EXIF data unless the member turns it off in their privacy settings. Certain software programs, such as Adobe Photoshop or Photo Album, also display EXIF data on your own computer. Generally, EXIF data cannot be edited.

Viewing EXIF data

In Windows XP, some EXIF information may be viewed by right clicking on an image file and clicking properties; from the properties dialog, click the Summary tab.

On Mac OS X 10.4 and above, this information may be viewed in the Finder by doing Get Info (command i) on a file and expanding the More Info section.

More information: Wikipedia on EXIF

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