How to Check EXIF Data

Learn how to extract and decipher EXIF Data from your camera's recorded video files.

Sometimes you want to extract information from a clip, like which camera was used, what the date actually was, which focal length was used, which codec was used to record, the bit depth or anything similar.

The answer is almost always inside the EXIF data — and there's an easy way to extract it.

The EXIF Tool

The freeware application exiftool is available for both Linux, Windows and macOS, and lets you extract all the EXIF information with a single commandline entry. Check out the official website to download the application;

• Download EXIF Tool from: https://exiftool.org/

After the download is completed, it's as easy as just writing exiftool /path/to/video_file.mov (you have to enter the correct file path, of course). All your EXIF information will be printed directly in the command line window.

The EXIF Data

So what does the EXIF data contain? Pretty much everything; you can get the used focal length, the bitrate of the clip, the aperture of the lens when the footage was recorded and a lot more.

• ExifTool Version Number : 12.30
• File Name : P1010949.MP4
• Directory : /Volumes/Stuff/Videos/2021-08-24
• File Size : 1853 MiB
• File Modification Date/Time : 2021:08:24 12:45:02+02:00
• File Access Date/Time : 2021:08:31 21:12:18+02:00
• File Inode Change Date/Time : 2021:08:24 12:47:00+02:00
• File Permissions : -rwxrwxrwx
• File Type : MP4
• File Type Extension : mp4
• MIME Type : video/mp4
• Major Brand : MP4 v2 [ISO 14496-14]
• Minor Version : 0.0.1
• Compatible Brands : mp42, avc1
• Movie Header Version : 0
• Time Scale : 24000
• Duration : 0:00:39
• Preferred Rate : 1
• Preferred Volume : 100.00%
• Preview Time : 0 s
• Preview Duration : 0 s
• Poster Time : 0 s
• Selection Time : 0 s
• Selection Duration : 0 s
• Current Time : 0 s
• Next Track ID : 4
• Track Header Version : 0
• Track Create Date : 2021:08:24 12:44:23
• Track Modify Date : 2021:08:24 12:44:23 Track ID : 1
• Track Duration : 0:00:39
• Track Layer : 0
• Track Volume : 0.00%
• Image Width : 4096
• Image Height : 2160
• Graphics Mode : srcCopy
• Op Color : 0 0 0
• Compressor ID : avc1
• Source Image Width : 4096
• Source Image Height : 2160
• X Resolution : 72
• Y Resolution : 72
• Bit Depth : 24
• Color Representation : nclx 9 18 9
• Video Frame Rate : 24
• Time Code : 3
• Balance : 0
• Audio Format : twos
• Audio Vendor ID : Panasonic
• Audio Channels : 2
• Audio Bits Per Sample : 16
• Audio Sample Rate : 48000
• Matrix Structure : 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1
• Media Header Version : 0
• Media Create Date : 2021:08:24 12:44:23
• Media Modify Date : 2021:08:24 12:44:23
• Media Time Scale : 24000
• Media Duration : 0:00:39
• Media Language Code : und
• Other Format : tmcd
• Exif Byte Order : Little-endian (Intel, II)
• Make : Panasonic
• Camera Model Name : DC-GH5S
• Orientation : Horizontal (normal)
• Resolution Unit : inches
• Software : Ver.2.1
• Modify Date : 2021:08:24 12:44:23
• Y Cb Cr Positioning : Co-sited
• Exposure Time : 1/50
• F Number : 1.7
• Exposure Program : Manual
• Sensitivity Type : Standard Output Sensitivity
• Standard Output Sensitivity : 400
• Exif Version : 0231
• Date/Time Original : 2021:08:24 12:44:23
• Create Date : 2021:08:24 12:44:23
• Offset Time : +01:00
• Offset Time Original : +01:00
• Offset Time Digitized : +01:00
• Components Configuration : Y, Cb, Cr, -
• Compressed Bits Per Pixel : 2
• Exposure Compensation : 0
• Max Aperture Value : 1.7
• Metering Mode : Other
• Light Source : Unknown
• Flash : Off, Did not fire
• Focal Length : 20.0 mm
• Image Quality : Unknown (13)
• Firmware Version : 0.2.1.0
• White Balance : Auto
• Focus Mode : Auto
• AF Area Mode : 1-area
• Image Stabilization : Off
• Macro Mode : Off
• Shooting Mode : Movie Preview
• Audio : Stereo
• Data Dump : (Binary data 8 bytes, use -b option to extract)
• Flash Bias : 0
• Internal Serial Number : XHR2011180007
• Panasonic Exif Version : 0415
• Color Effect : Off
• Time Since Power On : 00:01:39.03
• Burst Mode : Off
• Sequence Number : 0
• Contrast Mode : Unknown (0x36)
• Noise Reduction : -5
• Self Timer : Off (0)
• AF Assist Lamp : Enabled but Not Used
• Optical Zoom Mode : Standard
• Conversion Lens : Off
• Travel Day : n/a
• Battery Level : Unknown (0)
• World Time Location : Home
• Advanced Scene Type : 10
• Faces Detected : 0
• JPEG Quality : n/a (Movie)
• Color Temp Kelvin : 3600
• Bracket Settings : No Bracket
• WB Shift AB : 0
• WB Shift GM : 0
• Flash Curtain : n/a
• Long Exposure Noise Reduction : On
• Panasonic Image Width : 0
• Panasonic Image Height : 0
• AF Point Position : 0.47 0.82
• Num Face Positions : 0
• Lens Serial Number : 01EG3283027
• Accessory Type : NO-ACCESSORY
• Accessory Serial Number : 0000000
• Lens Firmware Version : 0.1.1.0
• Faces Recognized : 0
• Title :
• Baby Name :
• Location :
• Country :
• State :
• City :
• Landmark :
• Intelligent Resolution : Off
• HDR Shot : Off
• Burst Speed : 0
• Intelligent D-Range : Off
• Clear Retouch : Off
• City 2 :
• Photo Style : Unknown (13)
• Shading Compensation : Off
• WB Shift Intelligent Auto : 0
• Accelerometer Z : 238
• Accelerometer X : 0
• Accelerometer Y : -100
• Camera Orientation : Normal
• Roll Angle : -1.1
• Pitch Angle : 22.6
• WB Shift Creative Control : 0
• Sweep Panorama Direction : Off
• Sweep Panorama Field Of View : 0
• Timer Recording : Off
• Internal ND Filter : 0
• HDR : Off
• Shutter Type : Mechanical
• Filter Effect : Expressive
• Clear Retouch Value : undef
• Touch AE : Off
• Monochrome Filter Effect : Off
• Highlight Shadow : 0 0
• Time Stamp : 2021:08:24 11:44:23
• Video Burst Resolution : Unknown (5)
• Multi Exposure : n/a
• Red Eye Removal : Off
• Video Burst Mode : Unknown (0)
• Diffraction Correction : Off
• Focus Bracket : 0
• Long Exposure NR Used : Yes
• Post Focus Merging : Post Focus Auto Merging or None
• Video Preburst : No
• Lens Type Make : 2
• Lens Type Model : 05 10
• Sensor Type : Multi-aspect
• ISO : 400
• Monochrome Grain Effect : Off
• Time Lapse Shot Number : 0
• Maker Note Version : 0155
• Scene Mode : Off
• Highlight Warning : Yes
• Dark Focus Environment : No
• WB Red Level : 2229
• WB Green Level : 1024
• WB Blue Level : 2567
• Text Stamp : Off
• Baby Age : (not set)
• Sub Sec Time : 634
• Sub Sec Time Original : 634
• Sub Sec Time Digitized : 634
• Flashpix Version : 0100
• Color Space : sRGB
• Exif Image Width : 4096
• Exif Image Height : 2160
• Interoperability Index : R98 - DCF basic file (sRGB)
• Interoperability Version : 0100
• Sensing Method : One-chip color area
• File Source : Digital Camera
• Scene Type : Directly photographed
• Custom Rendered : Custom
• Exposure Mode : Auto
• Digital Zoom Ratio : 0
• Focal Length In 35mm Format : 41 mm
• Scene Capture Type : Standard
• Gain Control : High gain up
• Contrast : Normal
• Saturation : Normal
• Sharpness : Soft
• PrintIM Version : 0250
• Compression : JPEG (old-style)
• Thumbnail Offset : 10498552
• Thumbnail Length : 0
• Handler Type : Panasonic Static Metadata
• Handler Description : Panasonic Static Metadata
• Clip Main Xmlns : urn:schemas-Professional-Plug-in:Semi-Pro:ClipMetadata:v1.0
• Clip Main Clip Content Global Clip ID: 060A2B340101010501010D21130000009F47055C78ACD5447700109104580007
• Clip Main Clip Content Duration : 924
• Clip Main Clip Content Edit Unit: 0.0416666666666667
• Clip Main Clip Content Essence List Video Codec Bit Rate: 400
• Clip Main Clip Content Essence List Video Codec: H264_422_Intra
• Clip Main Clip Content Essence List Video Active Line: 2160
• Clip Main Clip Content Essence List Video Active Pixel: 4096
• Clip Main Clip Content Essence List Video Bit Depth: 10
• Clip Main Clip Content Essence List Video Frame Rate: 24p
• Clip Main Clip Content Essence List Video Timecode Type: NonDrop
• Clip Main Clip Content Essence List Video Start Timecode: 02:43:43:08
• Clip Main Clip Content Essence List Audio Channel: 2
• Clip Main Clip Content Essence List Audio Sampling Rate: 48000
• Clip Main Clip Content Essence List Audio Bits Per Sample: 16
• Clip Main Clip Content Clip Metadata Rating: 0
• Clip Main Clip Content Clip Metadata Access Creation Date: 2021:08:24 12:44:23+01:00
• Clip Main Clip Content Clip Metadata Access Last Update Date: 2021:08:24 12:44:23+01:00
• Clip Main Clip Content Clip Metadata Device Manufacturer: Panasonic
• Clip Main Clip Content Clip Metadata Device Model Name: DC-GH5S
• Clip Main Clip Content Clip Metadata Shoot Start Date: 2021:08:24 12:44:23+01:00
• Clip Main User Area Acquisition Metadata Xmlns: urn:schemas-Professional-Plug-in:P2:CameraMetadata:v1.2
• Clip Main User Area Acquisition Metadata Camera Unit Metadata Gamma Capture Gamma: HLG
• Clip Main User Area Acquisition Metadata Camera Unit Metadata Gamut Capture Gamut: BT.2020
• Media Data Size : 1932731819
• Media Data Offset : 10747920
• Aperture : 1.7
• Blue Balance : 2.506836
• Image Size : 4096x2160
• Megapixels : 8.8
• Red Balance : 2.176758
• Scale Factor To 35 mm Equivalent: 2.0
• Shutter Speed : 1/50
• Create Date : 2021:08:24 12:44:23.634+01:00
• Date/Time Original : 2021:08:24 12:44:23.634+01:00
• Modify Date : 2021:08:24 12:44:23.634+01:00
• Lens Type : Lumix G 20mm F1.7 Asph.
• Advanced Scene Mode : Unknown (0 10)
• Avg Bitrate : 402 Mbps
• Rotation : 0
• Circle Of Confusion : 0.015 mm
• Field Of View : 47.4 deg
• Focal Length : 20.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 41.0 mm)
• Hyperfocal Distance : 16.05 m
• Lens ID : Lumix G 20mm F1.7 Asph.
• Light Value : 5.2

EXIF Data Explained

The important information from the large chunk of EXIF data above can be reduced to a few data points;

1. Resolution: 4096 x 2160 — 4K DCI
2. Frame Rate: 24p
3. Camera Used: Panasonic Lumix GH5s
4. Lens Used: Panasonic Lumix G 20mm 1.7
5. Aperture in shot: 1.7
6. Field of View: 47.4 degrees (20 mm on a Micro Four Thirds sensor)
7. Clip Bitrate: 402 Mbps
8. Codec: H264_422_Intra codec
9. Bit Depth: 10 bit

All this information makes it much easier to understand what kind of footage you're editing, and where it comes from. Perhaps you want to group all clips shot with a specific lens, but you can't remember which lens you used for each clip?

The EXIF Data has all the answers — or, at least, most of them!