ExifTool Forum

General => Metadata => Topic started by: lutx on May 12, 2024, 09:02:54 AM

Title: FileModifyDate earlier than DateTimeOriginal and CreateDate
Post by: lutx on May 12, 2024, 09:02:54 AM
As the title says, I have several images and videos that has a date of 2016 but their DTO, CreateDates are 2017 to 2018, is it safe to trust the earlier date? I thought DateTimeOriginal is robust as the basis for the earliest date for the images/videos?
Screenshot 2024-05-12 210229.jpg
Title: Re: FileModifyDate earlier than DateTimeOriginal and CreateDate
Post by: StarGeek on May 12, 2024, 12:08:42 PM
As long as the file hasn't been edited, DateTimeOriginal/CreateDate are the best choice for image files, but it isn't necessarily the case for videos. But all of this data is easily editable and bad software can make things worse.

Ultimately, this is something you're going to have to decide for yourself on a case by case basis.
Title: Re: FileModifyDate earlier than DateTimeOriginal and CreateDate
Post by: lutx on May 12, 2024, 12:53:32 PM
I see, thank you! I have decided to pick the earlier date (filemodifydate) for this scenario, but I'll keep what you said in mind, thank you StarGeek! Appreciate it, have a good one.