FileModifyDate earlier than DateTimeOriginal and CreateDate

[lutx]

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?

[StarGeek]

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.

[lutx]

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.