Definition
RAW metadata
RAW metadata includes deep technical camera data stored in uncompressed or minimally processed image formats.
What RAW metadata stores
RAW files (like DNG, CR2, NEF, ARW) store much more technical detail than JPEGs. This includes proprietary 'MakerNotes' from camera manufacturers, deep XMP blocks, and full IPTC records.
Because these formats are designed for high-end editing, they often contain more privacy-sensitive traces of the original capture environment.
Viewing and cleaning RAW metadata
Inspecting RAW metadata is a key step for professional photographers and archivists to verify camera settings or ownership.
Cleaning RAW metadata often involves converting the file to a standard format or using specialized scrubbers that can handle proprietary TIFF-based structures safely.
Related tools
More tools that cover similar file tasks.