Currently, most of new digicam use Exif file format to store images. This specification was made by JEIDA, but there is no open document in internet. So I made tiny description about Exif from some of open documents that can get from internet.
Add: Now we can get official document of Exif2.1 from PIMA's website.
ISO is now working to build DCF (Design rule for Camera File system) Specification. The entire digicam manufacturer is moving to adopt it and their newest digicam already uses DCF. DCF defines whole file-system of digicam; directory structure, file naming method, character set and file format etc. The file format of DCF is based on Exif2.1 specification.
I believe this document is basically based on Exif2.1/DCF specification, if you have information about 'unknown' item or find errata, please e-mail me, TsuruZoh Tachibanaya , t s u r u z o h @ b a . w a k w a k . c o m
This is a FREE document, you may use this document for any purpose (commercial/non-commercial) of all/part of this document. All trade names mentioned in this document are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
TsuruZoh Tachibanaya, t s u r u z o h @ b a . w a k w a k . c o m
Basically, Exif file format is the same as JPEG file format. Exif inserts some of image/digicam information data and thumbnail image to JPEG in conformity to JPEG specification. Therefore you can view Exif format image files by JPEG compliant Internet browser/Picture viewer/Photo retouch software etc. as a usual JPEG image files.
Every JPEG file starts from binary value '0xFFD8', ends by binary value '0xFFD9'. There are several binary 0xFFXX data in JPEG data, they are called as "Marker", and it means the period of JPEG information data. 0xFFD8 means SOI(Start of image), 0xFFD9 means EOI(End of image). These two special Markers have no data following, the other Markers have data with it. Basic format of Marker is below.
Data size(2 Bytes) has "Motorola" byte align, starts from bigger digits. Please notice that "Data" contains Data size descriptor, if there is a Marker like this;
FF C1 00 0C
It means this Marker(0xFFC1) has 0x000C(equal 12)bytes of data. But the data size '12' includes "Data size" descriptor, it follows only 10 bytes of data after 0x000C.
In JPEG format, some of Markers describe data, then SOS(Start of stream) Marker placed. After the SOS marker, JPEG image stream starts and terminated by EOI Marker.
The marker 0xFFE0~0xFFEF is named "Application Marker", not necessary for decoding JPEG image. They are used by user application. For example, older olympus/canon/casio/agfa digicam use JFIF(JPEG File Interchange Format) for storing images. JFIF uses APP0(0xFFE0) Marker for inserting digicam configuration data and thumbnail image.
Also Exif uses an Application Marker for inserting data, but Exif uses APP1(0xFFE1) Marker to avoid a conflict with JFIF format. Every Exif file formats starts from this format;
SOI Marker
APP1 Marker
APP1 Data
Other Marker
FFD8
FFE1
SSSS 457869660000 TTTT......
FFXX SSSS DDDD......
It starts from SOI(0xFFD8) Marker, so it's a JPEG file. Then APP1 Marker follows immediately. All the data of Exif are stored in this APP1 data area. The part of "SSSS" on upper table means the size of APP1 data area (Exif data area). Please notice that the size "SSSS" includes the size of descriptor itself also.
After the "SSSS", APP1 data starts. The first part is a special data to identify whether Exif or not, ASCII character "Exif" and 2bytes of 0x00 are used.
After the APP1 Marker area, the other JPEG Markers follows.
Roughly structure of Exif data (APP1) is shown as below. This is a case of "Intel" byte aligns and it contains JPEG format thumbnail. As described above, Exif data is starts from ASCII character "Exif" and 2bytes of 0x00, and then Exif data follows. Exif uses TIFF format to store data. For more details of TIFF format, please refer to "TIFF6.0 specification".
First 8bytes of TIFF format are TIFF header. First 2bytes defines byte align of TIFF data. If it is 0x4949="I I", it means "Intel" type byte align. If it is 0x4d4d="MM", it means "Motorola" type byte align. For example, value '305,419,896' is noted as 0x12345678 by sixteenth system. At the Motorola align, it is stored as 0x12,0x34,0x56,0x78. If it's Intel align, it is stored as 0x78,0x56,0x34,0x12. It seems that most of digicam uses Intel align. Ricoh uses Motorola align. Sony uses Intel align except D700. Kodak DC200/210/240 use Motorola aligns, but DC220/260 use Intel aligns though they are using PowerPC! Therefore when we need the value of Exif data, we MUST check byte align every time. Though JPEG data uses Motorola align only, Exif allows both alignments. I can't understand why Exif didn't fix a byte align to Motorola.
Next 2bytes are always 2bytes-length value of 0x002A. If the data uses Intel align, next 2bytes are "0x2a,0x00". If it uses Motorola, they are "0x00,0x2a". The last 4bytes of TIFF header are an offset to the first IFD(Image File Directory, described in next chapter). Includes this offset, all the offset value used in TIFF format counts offset bytes from the first of TIFF header("I I" or "MM"). Usually the first IFD starts immediately next to TIFF header, so this offset has value '0x00000008'.
Next to TIFF header, there is the first IFD:Image File Directory. It contains image information data. At the chart below, the first 2bytes('EEEE') means the number of directory entry contains in this IFD. Then directory entry (12bytes per entry) follows. After last directory entry, there is a 4bytes of data('LLLLLLLL' at the chart), it means an offset to next IFD. If its value is '0x00000000', it means this is the last IFD and there is no linked IFD.
EEEE
No. of directory entry
TTTT
ffff
NNNNNNNN
DDDDDDDD
Entry 0
TTTT
ffff
NNNNNNNN
DDDDDDDD
Entry 1
. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . .
TTTT
ffff
NNNNNNNN
DDDDDDDD
Entry EEEE-1
LLLLLLLL
Offset to next IFD
'TTTT'(2bytes) of above chart is Tag number, this shows a kind of data. 'ffff'(2bytes) is data format, 'NNNNNNNN'(4bytes) is number of components. 'DDDDDDDD'(4bytes) contains a data value or offset to data value.
Data format ('ffff' at the above chart) is defined as below. "rational" means a fractional value, it contains 2-signed/unsigned long integer values, and the first represents the numerator, and the second, the denominator.
Value
1
2
3
4
5
6
Format
unsigned byte
ascii strings
unsigned short
unsigned long
unsigned rational
signed byte
Bytes/component
1
1
2
4
8
1
Value
7
8
9
10
11
12
Format
undefined
signed short
signed long
signed rational
single float
double float
Bytes/component
1
2
4
8
4
8
You can get the total data byte length by multiplies a 'bytes/components' value (see above chart) by number of components stored 'NNNNNNNN' area. If total data length is less than 4bytes, 'DDDDDDDD' contains the value of that Tag. If its size is over 4bytes, 'DDDDDDDD' contains the offset to data stored address.
At Exif format, the first IFD is IFD0(IFD of main image), then it links to IFD1(IFD of thumbnail image) and IFD link is terminated. But IFD0/IFD1 doesn't contain any digicam's information such as shutter speed, focal length etc. IFD0 always contains special Tag Exif Offset (0x8769), it shows an offset to Exif SubIFD. Exif SubIFD is IFD formatted data also, it contains digicam's information.
In case of Extended Exif format (Exif2.1/DCF), Exif SubIFD contains special Tag Exif Interoperability Offset (0xa005). It also points to the Interoperability IFD. By the DCF specification, this tag is mandatory and both SubIFD (main image IFD) and IFD1 (thumbnail image IFD) may have Interoperability IFD. In usual, only main image have this tag.
And some of digicam uses IFD data format for Makernote; Maker-specific magic number area. It's very hard to decision whether makernote is IFD format or not, be careful to coding program. See Appendix for information of Makernote.
If the first part of TIFF data is above, it can read as;
The first 2bytes are "I I", byte align is 'Intel'.
Address 0x0004~0x0007 is 0x08000000, IFD0 starts from address '0x0008'
Address 0x0008~0x0009 is 0x0200, number of directory entry of IFD0 is '2'.
Address 0x000a~0x000b is 0x1A01, it means this is an XResolution(0x011A) Tag, it contains a horizontal resolution of image.
Address 0x000c~0x000d is 0x0500, format of this value is unsigned rational(0x0005).
Address 0x000e~0x0011 is 0x01000000, number of components is '1'. Unsigned rational's data size is 8bytes/components, so total data length is 1x8=8bytes.
Total data length is larger than 4bytes, so next 4bytes contains an offset to data.
Address 0x0012~0x0015 is 0x26000000, XResolution data is stored to address 0x0026
Address 0x0026~0x0029 is 0x48000000, numerator is 72, address 0x002a~0x002d is 0x0100000000, denominator is '1'. So the value of XResoultion is 72/1.
Address0x0016~0x0017 is 0x6987, next Tag is ExifOffset(0x8769). Its value is an offset to Exif SubIFD
Data format is 0x0004, unsigned long integer.
This Tag has one component. Unsigned long integer's data size is 4bytes/components, so total data size is 4bytes.
Total data size is equal to 4bytes, next 4bytes contains the value of Exif SubIFD offset.
Address 0x001e~0x0021 is 0x11020000, Exif SubIFD starts from address '0x0211'.
This is the last directory entry, next 4bytes shows an offset to next IFD.
Address 0x0022~0x0025 is 0x40000000, next IFD starts from address '0x0040'
Exif format contains thumbnail of image (except Ricoh RDC-300Z). Usually it is located next to the IFD1. There are 3 formats for thumbnails; JPEG format(JPEG uses YCbCr), RGB TIFF format, YCbCr TIFF format. It seems that JPEG format and 160x120 pixels of size are recommended thumbnail format for Exif2.1 or later. By the DCF specification, thumbnail image MUST use JPEG format and image size is fixed to 160x120 pixels.
If the value of Compression(0x0103) Tag in IFD1 is '6', thumbnail image format is JPEG. Most of Exif image uses JPEG format for thumbnail. In that case, you can get offset of thumbnail from JpegIFOffset(0x0201) Tag in IFD1, size of thumbnail from JpegIFByteCount(0x0202) Tag. Data format is ordinary JPEG format, starts from 0xFFD8 and ends by 0xFFD9.
If the value of Compression(0x0103) Tag in IFD1 is '1', thumbnail image format is no compression(called TIFF image). Start point of thumbnail data is StripOffset(0x0111) Tag, size of thumbnail is the sum of StripByteCounts(0x0117) Tag.
If thumbnail uses no compression and PhotometricInterpretation(0x0106)Tag in IFD1 has a value '2', thumbnail uses RGB format. In that case, you can see thumbnail image by simply copy data to computer's RGB format(such as BMP format, or copy to VRAM directory). Kodak DC-210/220/260 uses this format. Be mention that at TIFF stores pixel data as 'RGB' order, but BMP stores 'BGR' order.
If that tag has a value '6', thumbnail uses YCbCr format. If you want to see thumbnail, you must convert it to RGB. Ricoh RDC4200/4300, Fuji DS-7/300 and DX-5/7/9 use this format(newer RDC5000/MX-X00 series use JPEG). Next section is brief description to conversion of Fuji DS's thumbnail. For more details, refer to TIFF6.0 specification.
At DX-5/7/9, YCbCrSubsampling(0x0212) has values of '2,1', PlanarConfiguration(0x011c) has a value '1'. So the data align of this image is below.
The numeric in parenthesis is pixel coordinates. DX series' YCbCrCoefficients(0x0211) has values '0.299/0.587/0.114', ReferenceBlackWhite(0x0214) has values '0,255,128,255,128,255'. Therefore to convert from Y/Cb/Cr to RGB is;
Horizontal subsampling is a value '2', so you can calculate B(1,0)/R(1,0)/G(1,0) by using the Y(1,0) and Cr(0,0)/Cb(0,0). Repeat this conversion by value of ImageWidth(0x0100) and ImageLength(0x0101).
Tag numbers used by Exif/TIFF are shown as below. If the Tag has upper limit of components number, CompoNo column has numeric value. If it has no value, there is no limitation.
Tags used by IFD0 (main image)
Tag No.
Tag Name
Format
CompoNo
Desc.
0x010e
ImageDescription
ascii string
Describes image. Two-byte character code such as Chinese/Korean/Japanese cannot be used.
0x010f
Make
ascii string
Shows manufacturer of digicam. In the Exif standard, this tag is optional, but it is mandatory for DCF.
0x0110
Model
ascii string
Shows model number of digicam. In the Exif standard, this tag is optional, but it is mandatory for DCF.
0x0112
Orientation
unsigned short
1
Value
0th Row
0th Column
1
top
left side
2
top
right side
3
bottom
right side
4
bottom
left side
5
left side
top
6
right side
top
7
right side
bottom
8
left side
bottom
The orientation of the camera relative to the scene, when the image was captured. The relation of the '0th row' and '0th column' to visual position is shown as right.
0x011a
XResolution
unsigned rational
1
Display/Print resolution of image. Default value is 1/72inch, but it has no mean because personal computer doesn't use this value to display/print out.
0x011b
YResolution
unsigned rational
1
0x0128
ResolutionUnit
unsigned short
1
Unit of XResolution(0x011a)/YResolution(0x011b). '1' means no-unit, '2' means inch, '3' means centimeter. Default value is '2'(inch).
0x0131
Software
ascii string
Shows firmware(internal software of digicam) version number.
0x0132
DateTime
ascii string
20
Date/Time of image was last modified. Data format is "YYYY:MM:DD HH:MM:SS"+0x00, total 20bytes. If clock has not set or digicam doesn't have clock, the field may be filled with spaces. In usual, it has the same value of DateTimeOriginal(0x9003)
0x013e
WhitePoint
unsigned rational
2
Defines chromaticity of white point of the image. If the image uses CIE Standard Illumination D65(known as international standard of 'daylight'), the values are '3127/10000,3290/10000'.
0x013f
PrimaryChromaticities
unsigned rational
6
Defines chromaticity of the primaries of the image. If the image uses CCIR Recommendation 709 primaries, values are '640/1000,330/1000,300/1000,600/1000,150/1000,0/1000'.
0x0211
YCbCrCoefficients
unsigned rational
3
When image format is YCbCr, this value shows a constant to translate it to RGB format. In usual, values are '0.299/0.587/0.114'.
0x0213
YCbCrPositioning
unsigned short
1
When image format is YCbCr and uses 'Subsampling'(cropping of chroma data, all the digicam do that), defines the chroma sample point of subsampling pixel array. '1' means the center of pixel array, '2' means the datum point.
0x0214
ReferenceBlackWhite
unsigned rational
6
Shows reference value of black point/white point. In case of YCbCr format, first 2 show black/white of Y, next 2 are Cb, last 2 are Cr. In case of RGB format, first 2 show black/white of R, next 2 are G, last 2 are B.
0x8298
Copyright
ascii string
Shows copyright information
0x8769
ExifOffset
unsigned long
1
Offset to Exif Sub IFD
Tags used by Exif SubIFD
Tag No.
Tag Name
Format
CompoNo
Desc.
0x829a
ExposureTime
unsigned rational
1
Exposure time (reciprocal of shutter speed). Unit is second.
0x829d
FNumber
unsigned rational
1
The actual F-number(F-stop) of lens when the image was taken.
0x8822
ExposureProgram
unsigned short
1
Exposure program that the camera used when image was taken. '1' means manual control, '2' program normal, '3' aperture priority, '4' shutter priority, '5' program creative (slow program), '6' program action(high-speed program), '7' portrait mode, '8' landscape mode.
0x8827
ISOSpeedRatings
unsigned short
2
CCD sensitivity equivalent to Ag-Hr film speedrate.
0x9000
ExifVersion
undefined
4
Exif version number. Stored as 4bytes of ASCII character. If the picture is based on Exif V2.1, value is "0210". Since the type is 'undefined', there is no NULL(0x00) for termination.
0x9003
DateTimeOriginal
ascii string
20
Date/Time of original image taken. This value should not be modified by user program. Data format is "YYYY:MM:DD HH:MM:SS"+0x00, total 20bytes. If clock has not set or digicam doesn't have clock, the field may be filled with spaces. In the Exif standard, this tag is optional, but it is mandatory for DCF.
0x9004
DateTimeDigitized
ascii string
20
Date/Time of image digitized. Usually, it contains the same value of DateTimeOriginal(0x9003). Data format is "YYYY:MM:DD HH:MM:SS"+0x00, total 20bytes. If clock has not set or digicam doesn't have clock, the field may be filled with spaces. In the Exif standard, this tag is optional, but it is mandatory for DCF.
0x9101
ComponentsConfiguration
undefined
Shows the order of pixel data. Most of case '0x04,0x05,0x06,0x00' is used for RGB-format and '0x01,0x02,0x03,0x00' for YCbCr-format. 0x00:does not exist, 0x01:Y, 0x02:Cb, 0x03:Cr, 0x04:Red, 0x05:Green, 0x06:Bllue.
0x9102
CompressedBitsPerPixel
unsigned rational
1
The average compression ratio of JPEG (rough estimate).
0x9201
ShutterSpeedValue
signed rational
1
Shutter speed by APEX value. To convert this value to ordinary 'Shutter Speed'; calculate this value's power of 2, then reciprocal. For example, if the ShutterSpeedValue is '4', shutter speed is 1/(24)=1/16 second.
0x9202
ApertureValue
unsigned rational
1
The actual aperture value of lens when the image was taken. Unit is APEX. To convert this value to ordinary F-number(F-stop), calculate this value's power of root 2 (=1.4142). For example, if the ApertureValue is '5', F-number is 1.41425 = F5.6.
0x9203
BrightnessValue
signed rational
1
Brightness of taken subject, unit is APEX. To calculate Exposure(Ev) from BrigtnessValue(Bv), you must add SensitivityValue(Sv).
Ev=Bv+Sv Sv=log2(ISOSpeedRating/3.125)
ISO100:Sv=5, ISO200:Sv=6, ISO400:Sv=7, ISO125:Sv=5.32.
0x9204
ExposureBiasValue
signed rational
1
Exposure bias(compensation) value of taking picture. Unit is APEX(EV).
0x9205
MaxApertureValue
unsigned rational
1
Maximum aperture value of lens. You can convert to F-number by calculating power of root 2 (same process of ApertureValue:0x9202).
Light source, actually this means white balance setting. '0' means unknown, '1' daylight, '2' fluorescent, '3' tungsten, '10' flash, '17' standard light A, '18' standard light B, '19' standard light C, '20' D55, '21' D65, '22' D75, '255' other.
0x9209
Flash
unsigned short
1
'0' means flash did not fire, '1' flash fired, '5' flash fired but strobe return light not detected, '7' flash fired and strobe return light detected.
0x920a
FocalLength
unsigned rational
1
Focal length of lens used to take image. Unit is millimeter.
0x927c
MakerNote
undefined
Maker dependent internal data. Some of maker such as Olympus/Nikon/Sanyo etc. uses IFD format for this area.
0x9286
UserComment
undefined
Stores user comment. This tag allows to use two-byte character code or unicode. First 8 bytes describe the character code. 'JIS' is a Japanese character code (known as Kanji).
'0x41,0x53,0x43,0x49,0x49,0x00,0x00,0x00':ASCII
'0x4a,0x49,0x53,0x00,0x00,0x00,0x00,0x00':JIS
'0x55,0x4e,0x49,0x43,0x4f,0x44,0x45,0x00':Unicode
'0x00,0x00,0x00,0x00,0x00,0x00,0x00,0x00':Undefined
0x9290
SubsecTime
ascii string
Some of digicam can take 2~30 pictures per second, but DateTime/DateTimeOriginal/DateTimeDigitized tag can't record the sub-second time. SubsecTime tag is used to record it.
For example, DateTimeOriginal = "1996:09:01 09:15:30", SubSecTimeOriginal = "130",
Combined original time is "1996:09:01 09:15:30.130"
0x9291
SubsecTimeOriginal
ascii string
0x9292
SubsecTimeDigitized
ascii string
0xa000
FlashPixVersion
undefined
4
Stores FlashPix version. If the image data is based on FlashPix formar Ver.1.0, value is "0100". Since the type is 'undefined', there is no NULL(0x00) for termination.
0xa001
ColorSpace
unsigned short
1
Defines Color Space. DCF image must use sRGB color space so value is always '1'. If the picture uses the other color space, value is '65535':Uncalibrated.
0xa002
ExifImageWidth
unsigned short/long
1
Size of main image.
0xa003
ExifImageHeight
unsigned short/long
1
0xa004
RelatedSoundFile
ascii string
If this digicam can record audio data with image, shows name of audio data.
0xa005
ExifInteroperabilityOffset
unsigned long
1
Extension of "ExifR98", detail is unknown. This value is offset to IFD format data. Currently there are 2 directory entries, first one is Tag0x0001, value is "R98", next is Tag0x0002, value is "0100".
0xa20e
FocalPlaneXResolution
unsigned rational
1
Pixel density at CCD's position. If you have MegaPixel digicam and take a picture by lower resolution(e.g.VGA mode), this value is re-sampled by picture resolution. In such case, FocalPlaneResolution is not same as CCD's actual resolution.
0xa20f
FocalPlaneYResolution
unsigned rational
1
0xa210
FocalPlaneResolutionUnit
unsigned short
1
Unit of FocalPlaneXResoluton/FocalPlaneYResolution. '1' means no-unit, '2' inch, '3' centimeter.
Note:Some of Fujifilm's digicam(e.g.FX2700,FX2900,Finepix4700Z/40i etc) uses value '3' so it must be 'centimeter', but it seems that they use a '8.3mm?'(1/3in.?) to their ResolutionUnit. Fuji's BUG? Finepix4900Z has been changed to use value '2' but it doesn't match to actual value also.
0xa215
ExposureIndex
unsigned rational
1
Same as ISOSpeedRatings(0x8827) but data type is unsigned rational. Only Kodak's digicam uses this tag instead of ISOSpeedRating, I don't know why(historical reason?).
0xa217
SensingMethod
unsigned short
1
Shows type of image sensor unit. '2' means 1 chip color area sensor, most of all digicam use this type.
0xa300
FileSource
undefined
1
Indicates the image source. Value '0x03' means the image source is digital still camera.
0xa301
SceneType
undefined
1
Indicates the type of scene. Value '0x01' means that the image was directly photographed.
0xa302
CFAPattern
undefined
Indicates the Color filter array(CFA) geometric pattern.
Length
Type
Meaning
2
short
Horizontal repeat pixel unit = n
2
short
Vertical repeat pixel unit = m
1
byte
CFA value[0,0]
:
:
:
1
byte
CFA value[n-1,0]
1
byte
CFA value[0,1]
:
:
:
1
byte
CFA value[n-1,m-1]
The relation of filter color to CFA value is shown below.
Filter Color
Red
Green
Blue
Cyan
Magenta
Yellow
White
CFA value
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
R
G
G
B
For example, ordinary RGB filter uses the repetition of left chart, the value is '0x0002,0x0002,0x00,0x01,0x01,0x02'.
Tags used by Interoperability IFD
Tag No.
Tag Name
Format
CompoNo
Desc.
0x0001
InteroperabilityIndex
Ascii string
4
If this IFD is main image's IFD and the file content is equivalent to ExifR98 v1.0, the value is "R98". If thumbnail image's, value is "THM".
0x0002
InteroperabilityVersion
Undefined
4
Records the interoperability version. "0100" means version 1.00.
0x1000
RelatedImageFileFormat
Ascii string
any
Records the file format of image file. Value is ascii string (e.g. "Exif JPEG Ver. 2.1").
0x1001
RelatedImageWidth
Short or Long
1
Records the image size.
0x1001
RelatedImageLength
Short or Long
1
Tags used by IFD1 (thumbnail image)
Tag No.
Tag Name
Format
CompoNo
Desc.
0x0100
ImageWidth
unsigned short/long
1
Shows size of thumbnail image.
0x0101
ImageLength
unsigned short/long
1
0x0102
BitsPerSample
unsigned short
3
When image format is no compression, this value shows the number of bits per component for each pixel. Usually this value is '8,8,8'
0x0103
Compression
unsigned short
1
Shows compression method. '1' means no compression, '6' means JPEG compression.
0x0106
PhotometricInterpretation
unsigned short
1
Shows the color space of the image data components. '1' means monochrome, '2' means RGB, '6' means YCbCr.
0x0111
StripOffsets
unsigned short/long
When image format is no compression, this value shows offset to image data. In some case image data is striped and this value is plural.
0x0115
SamplesPerPixel
unsigned short
1
When image format is no compression, this value shows the number of components stored for each pixel. At color image, this value is '3'.
0x0116
RowsPerStrip
unsigned short/long
1
When image format is no compression and image has stored as strip, this value shows how many rows stored to each strip. If image has not striped, this value is the same as ImageLength(0x0101).
0x0117
StripByteConunts
unsigned short/long
When image format is no compression and stored as strip, this value shows how many bytes used for each strip and this value is plural. If image has not stripped, this value is single and means whole data size of image.
0x011a
XResolution
unsigned rational
1
Display/Print resolution of image. Large number of digicam uses 1/72inch, but it has no mean because personal computer doesn't use this value to display/print out.
0x011b
YResolution
unsigned rational
1
0x011c
PlanarConfiguration
unsigned short
1
When image format is no compression YCbCr, this value shows byte aligns of YCbCr data. If value is '1', Y/Cb/Cr value is chunky format, contiguous for each subsampling pixel. If value is '2', Y/Cb/Cr value is separated and stored to Y plane/Cb plane/Cr plane format.
0x0128
ResolutionUnit
unsigned short
1
Unit of XResolution(0x011a)/YResolution(0x011b). '1' means inch, '2' means centimeter.
0x0201
JpegIFOffset
unsigned long
1
When image format is JPEG, this value show offset to JPEG data stored.
0x0202
JpegIFByteCount
unsigned long
1
When image format is JPEG, this value shows data size of JPEG image.
0x0211
YCbCrCoefficients
unsigned rational
3
When image format is YCbCr, this value shows constants to translate it to RGB format. In usual, '0.299/0.587/0.114' are used.
0x0212
YCbCrSubSampling
unsigned short
2
When image format is YCbCr and uses subsampling(cropping of chroma data, all the digicam do that), this value shows how many chroma data subsampled. First value shows horizontal, next value shows vertical subsample rate.
0x0213
YCbCrPositioning
unsigned short
1
When image format is YCbCr and uses 'Subsampling'(cropping of chroma data, all the digicam do that), this value defines the chroma sample point of subsampled pixel array. '1' means the center of pixel array, '2' means the datum point(0,0).
0x0214
ReferenceBlackWhite
unsigned rational
6
Shows reference value of black point/white point. In case of YCbCr format, first 2 show black/white of Y, next 2 are Cb, last 2 are Cr. In case of RGB format, first 2 show black/white of R, next 2 are G, last 2 are B.
The data below is analyzed at Olympus D450Z(C-920Z) by Peter Esherick.
MakerNote of Olympus Digicam starts from ASCII string "OLYMP". Data format is the same as IFD, but it starts from offset 0x07. Example of actual data structure is shown below.
Shows picture taking mode. First value means 0=normal, 1=unknown, 2=fast, 3=panorama. Second value means sequence number, third value means panorama direction, 1=left to right, 2=right to left, 3=bottom to top, 4=top to bottom.
0x0201
JpegQual
Unsigned Short
1
Shows JPEG quality. 1=SQ,2=HQ,3=SHQ.
0x0202
Macro
Unsigned Short
1
Shows Macro mode or not. 0=normal, 1=macro.
0x0203
Unknown
Unsigned Short
1
Unknown
0x0204
DigiZoom
Unsigned Rational
1
Shows Digital Zoom ratio. 0=normal, 2=digital 2x zoom.
0x0205
Unknown
Unsigned Rational
1
Unknown
0x0206
Unknown
Signed Short
6
Unknown
0x0207
SoftwareRelease
Ascii string
5
Shows Firmware version.
0x0208
PictInfo
Ascii string
52
Contains ASCII format data such as [PictureInfo]. This is the same data format of older Olympus digicam that not used Exif data format (C1400/C820/D620/D340 etc).
0x0209
CameraID
Undefined
32
Contains CameraID data, which is user changeable by some utilities
There are 2 formats of Nikon's MakerNote. MakerNote of E700/E800/E900/E900S/E910/E950 starts from ASCII string "Nikon". Data format is the same as IFD, but it starts from offset 0x08. This is the same as Olympus except start string. Example of actual data structure is shown below.
'160/100' means 1.6x digital zoom, '0/100' means no digital zoom (optical zoom only).
0x000b
Converter
Unsigned short
1
If Fisheye Converter is used, value is '1'.
0x0f00
Unknown
Unsigned long
25~30
Unknown
At E990, there is no Ascii string. As like the usual IFD (e.g. IFD0, SubIFD), IFD starts from the first byte of data. Nikon D1 also uses this format. Example of actual data structure is shown below.
Casio started to use Exif format from QV2000/QV8000. Casio's MakerNote format is the same as usual IFD (e.g. IFD0, SubIFD0). Example of actual data structure is shown below.
Fujifilm's digicam added the MakerNote tag from the Year2000's model (e.g.Finepix1400,Finepix4700). It uses IFD format and start from ASCII character 'FUJIFILM', and next 4 bytes(value 0x000c) points the offset to first IFD entry. Example of actual data structure is shown below.
There are two big differences to the other manufacturers.
Fujifilm's Exif data uses Motorola align, but MakerNote ignores it and uses Intel align.
The other manufacturer's MakerNote counts the "offset to data" from the first byte of TIFF header (same as the other IFD), but Fujifilm counts it from the first byte of MakerNote itself.
I think it's a BUG, but it can't be helped now... The data below is analyzed at Fujifilm FinePix4900Z.
Tag No.
Tag Name
Format
CompoNo
Value
0x0000
Version
Undefined
4
Version of MakerNote information. At present, value is "0130".
The data below was primarily analysed by
David Burren and the master version of this information is available at:
http://www.burren.cx/david/canon.html. Please send any updates to David.
This document is based on his Rev.1.11(2001/01/30) of document.
Canon's MakerNote data is in IFD format, starting at offset 0.
Some of these tags and fields are only produced on cameras such as the EOS D30, but (to current observation) all this is valid for all Canon digicams (at least since the A50).
If the tag is not found, or is shorter than shown here, it simply means that data is not supported by that camera.
Tag No.
Tag Name
Format
CompoNo
Value
0x0
Unknown
Unsigned Short
6
Always 0
0x1
Unknown
Unsigned Short
varies
Offset within tag
Meaning
0
Length of tag in bytes
(i.e. twice the number of shorts)
1
Macro mode
1: macro
2: normal
2
If non-zero, length of self-timer in 10ths of a second
3
unknown
4
Flash mode
0: flash not fired
1: auto
2: on
3: red-eye reduction
4: slow synchro
5: auto + red-eye reduction
6: on + red-eye reduction
16: external flash (not set on D30)
5
Continuous drive mode
0: single or timer (see field 2)
1: continuous
6
unknown
7
Focus Mode
0: One-Shot
1: AI Servo
2: AI Focus
3: MF
4: Single (but check field 32)
5: Continuous
6: MF
8, 9
unknown
10
Image size
0: large
1: medium
2: small
11
"Easy shooting" mode
0: Full Auto
1: Manual
2: Landscape
3: Fast Shutter
4: Slow Shutter
5: Night
6: B&W
7: Sepia
8: Portrait
9: Sports
10: Macro / Close-Up
11: Pan Focus
12
unknown
13
Contrast
0xffff: low
0x0000: normal
0x0001: high
14
Saturation
0xffff: low
0x0000: normal
0x0001: high
15
Sharpness
0xffff: low
0x0000: normal
0x0001: high
16
ISO
If zero, use ISOSpeedRatings EXIF tag instead
15: auto
16: 50
17: 100
18: 200
19: 400
17
Metering mode
3: Evaluative
4: Partial
5: Center-weighted
18
unknown
19
AF point selected
0x3000: none (MF)
0x3001: auto-selected
0x3002: right
0x3003: center
0x3004: left
20
Exposure mode
0: "Easy shooting" (use field 11)
1: Program
2: Tv-priority
3: Av-priority
4: Manual
5: A-DEP
21, 22
unknown
23
"long" focal length of lens (in "focal units")
24
"short" focal length of lens (in "focal units")
25
"focal units" per mm
26 - 28
unknown
29
Flash details
Bits 15..0:
14: external E-TTL
13: internal flash
11: FP sync used
4: FP sync enabled
other bits unknown
30 - 31
unknown
32
Focus mode
G1 seems to use this in preference to field 7
0: Single
1: Continuous
0x3
Unknown
Unsigned Short
4
unknown
0x4
Unknown
Unsigned Short
varies
Offset within tag
Meaning
0
Length of tag in bytes
(i.e. twice the number of shorts)
Only set in One-Shot mode?
If none used, AF failed or manual focus was used
(e.g. on a lens with full-time manual focus)
Bits 15..0:
15-12: number of available focus points
2: left
1: center
0: right
15
Flash bias
0xffc0: -2 EV
0xffcc: -1.67 EV
0xffd0: -1.50 EV
0xffd4: -1.33 EV
0xffe0: -1 EV
0xffec: -0.67 EV
0xfff0: -0.50 EV
0xfff4: -0.33 EV
0x0000: 0 EV
0x000c: 0.33 EV
0x0010: 0.50 EV
0x0014: 0.67 EV
0x0020: 1 EV
0x002c: 1.33 EV
0x0030: 1.50 EV
0x0034: 1.67 EV
0x0040: 2 EV
16 - 18
unknown
19
Subject Distance
Units are either 0.01m or 0.001m (both have been observed).
Still investigating.
In any case, the SubjectDistance EXIF tag is set by Canon cameras.
0x6
Image type
Ascii string
32
e.g.: "IMG:EOS D30 JPEG"
Has trailing whitespace.
0x7
Firmware version
Ascii string
24
May have trailing NULs and whitespace.
0x8
Image Number
Unsigned Long
1
Normally reported as FFF-XXXX.
FFF is this value divided by 1000, XXXX is this value mod 1000.
0x9
Owner name
Ascii string
32
May have trailing NULs and whitespace.
0xa
Unknown
Unsigned Short
varies
unknown
0xc
Camera serial number
Unsigned Long
1
High 16 bits are printed as a 4-digit hex number.
Low 16 bits are printed as a 5-digit decimal number.
These are concatenated to form the serial number.
Example printf() format string would be "%04X%05d".
0xd
Unknown
Unsigned Short
varies
unknown
0xf
Custom Functions
Unsigned Short
varies
First short is the number of bytes in the tag
(i.e. twice the number of shorts)
For each other value: the top 8 bits are the C.Fn number,
and the lower 8 bits are the value.
Daniel Switkin: Byte align of TAG Mark, Format of ImageWidth/ImageLength
Peter Esherick: MakerNote of Olympus
Matthias Wandel: Value of FocalPlaneResolutionUnit Max Lyons: Makernote of Nikon ...His webpage Eckhard Henkel: Makernote of Casio ...His webpage David Burren: FocalPlaneResolutionUnit of Fujifilm's / Makernote of Canon ...His webpage