What Is EXIF Data?
EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) is a standard for storing camera settings, GPS location, and technical details inside photo files.
EXIF Data explained
EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) is a metadata standard used by digital cameras and smartphones to embed technical information directly into image files. Every photo you take stores EXIF data including camera make and model, lens used, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, focal length, date and time, and often GPS coordinates. This data is invaluable for photographers reviewing their settings and for software organizing photo libraries. However, EXIF data is also a significant privacy concern — sharing a photo with GPS EXIF data reveals the exact location where it was taken. EXIF is supported by JPG, TIFF, and some RAW formats, but not by PNG, GIF, or SVG. When converting between formats, EXIF data may be preserved, lost, or stripped depending on the target format and converter.
Key points
Real-world examples
Related terms
File metadata is embedded information about a file — such as creation date, author, dimensions, and technical settings — stored alongside the actual content.
RAW files contain unprocessed sensor data from a digital camera, preserving maximum image quality and editing flexibility.
An ICC color profile is a standardized data set that describes how a device (monitor, printer, camera) reproduces colors, ensuring consistent color across workflows.
HEIC is Apple's default image format for iPhones, delivering 50% smaller files than JPG while preserving higher quality and supporting depth data.