EXIF Metadata on Mavica Images

What is EXIF?

EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) is metadata embedded directly in JPEG files by the camera at capture time. It stores technical details about the shot without affecting the visible image.

What Mavica cameras record

Sony Mavica cameras store a variety of EXIF tags, including:

How MaviCats uses EXIF

When you upload an image, the platform's Tier 2 verification system:

1. Extracts EXIF data from the uploaded JPEG
2. Reads the Make/Model tags to identify the claimed camera
3. Matches against the Gearbase — fuzzy matching handles variations like "MVC-FD88" vs "FD88"
4. Validates resolution — checks that image dimensions match what the identified camera actually produces
5. Issues a verdict: Verified (metadata matches), Unverified (no EXIF found), or Mismatch (EXIF conflicts with user's camera selection)

Common EXIF scenarios

• Fresh from camera: EXIF intact, camera auto-detected, verification passes
• Shared via social media: Most platforms strip EXIF — image shows as "Unverified"
• Scanned floppy disk image: Original EXIF preserved from the floppy file
• Edited in Photoshop: EXIF may be preserved or modified depending on export settings

EXIF and privacy

EXIF can contain location data (GPS coordinates) if the camera supports it. Mavica cameras do not have GPS, so this is not a concern. MaviCats does not store or expose raw EXIF data to other users — only the camera identification result is visible.

Tips for preserving EXIF

If you want your Mavica images to be verified on MaviCats:

1. Copy images directly from the floppy disk or Memory Stick
2. Avoid re-saving through tools that strip metadata
3. If you must edit, use software that preserves EXIF (e.g., IrfanView, ExifTool)
4. Upload the original JPEG — don't convert to PNG or WebP first