1. “Exif” is a format for recording image files. Various items of additional information are recorded as an image file together with the primary image data a photo taken using a digital camera. Exif prescribes the file format for recording such image files. It was proposed and established by the former Japan Electronic Industries Development Association (JEIDA) (now the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA)), and is now used, along with DCF (file system standard), in most digital cameras worldwide. Exif Features — Exif records camera information and thumbnails when photos are taken using a digital camera. The first main feature of Exif is its ability to record camera information in an image file when an image is taken. For example, photographic information such as the time and date taken, device name, shutter speed, and aperture setting can be recorded along with such information as the compression mode, color space, and number of pixels in order to allow the correct reading of the primary image data. This wide variety of camera information is highly useful for users as it allows the selection of images before printing and the recording of necessary data in database. Furthermore you can pull up header information of Exif using Exif compatible applications and use it for data management. The camera information can expand to make room for future application, thus enabling users to add new information along with the new features of digital camera. The second feature is the inclusion of thumbnails in addition to the primary image data in a single image file. Thumbnails are reduced-size versions of the primary image data and can be used by applications to quickly display a series of image files. The thumbnail size is specified as 160 x 120 pixels by DCF standard. 2. Exif was primarily established to ensure the interchangeability of primary image data. The Exif standard was established in 1995. The aim was to standardize the previously diverse range of image formats and offer the advantages of allowing the “playback of images on new devices” and “additional recording of photos taken with one camera onto recording media of another.” Exif was subsequently improved from the original Ver. 1.0 (primarily intended for the correct exchange and playback of primary image data) to Ver. 2.0, with the addition of thumbnail specifications. Exif was further developed to Ver. 2.1 with the incorporation of sRGB color space and the capability of handling audio files. In February 2002, Exif Ver. 2.2, which improves compatibility between digital cameras and printers, was formalized, simplifying the printing of high-quality images captured by digital camera. Exif Ver. 2.21 was established in September 2003 as an upgrade following the DCF revision (DCF Ver. 2.0).