JEITA (Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Assocation) Technical Standardization Committee has today published the new EXIF 2.2 standard (white paper, open for comment until 5th April 2002). The 'Exchangeable image file format for Digital Still Camera' describes what format the image files from digital cameras should take and what additional information should be embedded in the file header (almost all current digital cameras use EXIF 2.1). The new 2.2 standard is interesting because it includes a special portion specifically designed to be interpreted by printer drivers / printers to enable them to perform accurate image adjustment before printing (a bit like Epson's PIM).

EXIF 2.2 Principal tag information

• Shooting Conditions
  • Flash
  • Exposure mode (auto, manual, bracket)
  • White balance
  • Exposure time
  • Light source
  • Subject distance
  • Subject area
• Processing Information during Shooting
  • Captured scene type (portrait, landscape, night scene)
  • Digital zoom
  • Custom rendered (special effects)
  • Contrast
  • Saturation
  • Sharpness
  • Gain Control (ISO?)