ISO 12234-1:2025

Digital imaging — Image storage — Part 1: Reference model

This document specifies a basic reference model for digital photography systems, including digital cameras. The reference model includes image file formats for storing image data and metadata, file system requirements for storing and retrieving the image files using internal or removable memory, and media profiles which are specific to a given storage technology. The reference model allows the image data and metadata to be interchanged among the various components of a digital photography system.

Titre manque — Partie 1: Titre manque

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 21-Jul-2025
• ICS: 37.040.99 - Other standards related to photography
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 42 - Photography
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 42/WG 18 - Electronic still picture imaging
• Current Stage: 6060 - International Standard published
• Start Date: 22-Jul-2025
• Due Date: 15-Sep-2026
• Completion Date: 22-Jul-2025

Relations

• Revises: ISO 12234-1:2012 - Electronic still-picture imaging — Removable memory — Part 1: Basic removable-memory model
• Effective Date: 16-Sep-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

International
Standard
ISO 12234-1
Fourth edition
Digital imaging — Image storage —
2025-07
Part 1:
Reference model
Reference number
© ISO 2025
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Reference model . 2
4.1 General considerations.2
4.2 Image storage application profiles (ISAP) .3
4.3 Image data format .3
4.4 File system.3
4.5 Media profiles .4
5 Required characteristics for image storage application profiles. 4
5.1 General .4
5.2 Interoperability.4
5.3 Flexibility.4
5.4 Extensibility .4
5.5 Platform independence .5
5.6 Multiple storage technologies .5
5.7 Elimination of redundancy .5
6 Image data format specification . 5
6.1 General considerations.5
6.2 Application layer for image data .5
6.3 Presentation layer .5
6.4 Image data formats .5
6.4.1 General .5
6.4.2 Feature classifications .6
6.4.3 Guidance for persisting metadata .6
6.4.4 Image data features and guidance for persisting the features .7
6.5 Application layer for sound data . 28
7 File system requirements .28
7.1 General considerations. 28
7.2 Directory structure and name . 28
7.3 Object . 29
7.3.1 General . 29
7.3.2 Object type . 29
7.3.3 Object file name and file extension . 29
7.4 Interoperability. 29
7.5 Device requirement level . 29
Annex A (normative) TIFF/EP image data format .31
Annex B (normative) Exif image data format.32
Annex C (normative) Image data format — JPEG 2000, Part 1 and 2 .33
Annex D (informative) DCF file system .34
Bibliography .36

iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 42, Photography.
This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition (ISO 12234-1:2012), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— subclauses 6.4.2 and 6.4.3 replace subclause 6.6 in the previous edition;
— Table 2 of the previous edition has been divided into Tables 4, 5 and 6 according to the feature classifications
defined in Table 2 in 6.4.2, and each metadata item is given a post processing rank according to Table 3
in 6.4.3.
A list of all parts in the ISO 12234 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

iv
Introduction
This document addresses image storage requirements for digital photography systems, devices, and
components, including digital cameras. A digital photography system typically divides the imaging chain
into discrete components devoted to image acquisition, processing, storage, transmission and display. Since
the components can be made by different manufacturers, there is a need to specify a standard format for
image data interchange among the various components of the digital photography system.
The initial editions of ISO 12234-1 described image data interchange using only removable storage media,
such as removable memory cards, floppy disks, and removable hard drives. The removable storage media
was used to transport the digitized image data to other components in the imaging chain. However, many
current digital cameras, including the digital cameras incorporated into smartphones and tablet computers,
utilize internal non-volatile memory rather than removable memory. Therefore, the title and scope of this
document have been broadened to include devices and systems that utilize non-removable image storage
technologies.
This document specifies the required information content for storing images in digital photography
components, devices and systems. The information content includes both the image data and data items
describing the image. Annexes A, B and C describe various conforming formats. The data features supported
by each of these formats are also described in Clause 6. The information content further includes a
description of the file system which organizes the files containing digitized image data. Annex D describes a
conforming file system. The file system features are described in Clause 7.
An implementation is considered to be in conformity if, at a minimum, all mandatory elements are present.
Recommended features are not required, but will substantially enhance interoperability, performance and/
or rob
...

International
Standard
ISO 12234-1
Fourth edition
Digital imaging — Image storage —
Part 1:
Reference model
PROOF/ÉPREUVE
Reference number
© ISO 2025
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
PROOF/ÉPREUVE
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Reference model . 2
4.1 General considerations.2
4.2 Image storage application profiles (ISAP) .3
4.3 Image data format .3
4.4 File system.3
4.5 Media profiles .4
5 Required characteristics for image storage application profiles. 4
5.1 General .4
5.2 Interoperability.4
5.3 Flexibility.4
5.4 Extensibility .4
5.5 Platform independence .5
5.6 Multiple storage technologies .5
5.7 Elimination of redundancy .5
6 Image data format specification . 5
6.1 General considerations.5
6.2 Application layer for image data .5
6.3 Presentation layer .5
6.4 Image data formats .5
6.4.1 General .5
6.4.2 Feature classifications .6
6.4.3 Guidance for persisting metadata .6
6.4.4 Image data features and guidance for persisting the features .7
6.5 Application layer for sound data . 28
7 File system requirements .28
7.1 General considerations. 28
7.2 Directory structure and name . 28
7.3 Object . 29
7.3.1 General . 29
7.3.2 Object type . 29
7.3.3 Object file name and file extension . 29
7.4 Interoperability. 29
7.5 Device requirement level . 29
Annex A (normative) TIFF/EP image data format .31
Annex B (normative) Exif image data format.32
Annex C (normative) Image data format — JPEG 2000, Part 1 and 2 .33
Annex D (informative) DCF file system .34
Bibliography .36
PROOF/ÉPREUVE
iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent
rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received notice of (a)
patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that
this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at
www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 42, Photography.
This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition (ISO 12234-1:2012), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— subclauses 6.4.2 and 6.4.3 replace subclause 6.6 in the previous edition).
— Table 2 of the previous edition has been divided into Tables 4, 5 and 6 according to the feature classifications
defined in Table 2 in 6.4.2 and each metadata item is given a post processing rank according to Table 3
in 6.4.3,
A list of all parts in the ISO 12234 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
PROOF/ÉPREUVE
iv
Introduction
This document addresses image storage requirements for digital photography systems, devices, and
components, including digital cameras. A digital photography system typically divides the imaging chain
into discrete components devoted to image acquisition, processing, storage, transmission and display. Since
the components can be made by different manufacturers, there is a need to specify a standard format for
image data interchange among the various components of the digital photography system.
The initial editions of ISO 12234-1 described image data interchange using only removable storage media,
such as removable memory cards, floppy disks, and removable hard drives. The removable storage media
was used to transport the digitized image data to other components in the imaging chain. However, many
current digital cameras, including the digital cameras incorporated into smartphones and tablet computers,
utilize internal non-volatile memory rather than removable memory. Therefore, the title and scope of this
document have been broadened to include devices and systems that utilize non-removable image storage
technologies.
This document specifies the required information content for storing images in digital photography
components, devices and systems. The information content includes both the image data and data items
describing the image. Annexes A, B and C describe various conforming formats. The data features supported
by each of these formats are also described in Clause 6. The information content further includes a
description of the file system which organizes the files containing digitized image data. Annex D describes a
conforming file system. The file system features are described in Clause 7.
An implementation is considered to be in conformity if, at a minimum, all mandatory elements are present.
Recommended features are not required, but will substantially enhance
...

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ISO /PRF 12234-1:2025(en)
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ISO /TC 42/WG 18 .
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Digital imaging — Image storage — —
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Part 1:
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Reference model
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ISO/DISPRF 12234-1:2025(en) Formatted: Font: 11 pt, Bold
Formatted: Font: 11 pt, Bold
Formatted: Font: 11 pt, Bold
Formatted: HeaderCentered, Space After: 0 pt, Line
spacing: single
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication
may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, Commented [eXtyles1]: The reference "ISO 2025" is to a
withdrawn standard
or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO
at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
Formatted: Default Paragraph Font
Formatted: Default Paragraph Font
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
Formatted: Adjust space between Latin and Asian text,
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Adjust space between Asian text and numbers
Phone: + 41 22 749 01 11
Formatted: French (France)
EmailE-mail: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.orgwww.iso.org Formatted: French (France)
Formatted: French (France)
Published in Switzerland
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http://www.iso.org. The error code returned was "502".

Formatted: Font: 10 pt
Formatted: Font: 10 pt
Formatted: Font: 11 pt
Formatted: FooterPageRomanNumber, Space After: 0
pt, Line spacing: single
ii © ISO 2024 2025 – All rights reserved
ii
ISO/PRF 12234-1:2025(en)
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Formatted: Font: 11 pt, Bold
Formatted: HeaderCentered, Left, Space After: 0 pt,
Contents
Line spacing: single
Formatted: Adjust space between Latin and Asian text,
Foreword . v
Adjust space between Asian text and numbers
Introduction . vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Reference model . 2
4.1 General considerations . 2
4.2 Image storage application profiles (ISAP) . 3
4.3 Image data format . 3
4.4 File system . 4
4.5 Media profiles . 4
5 Required characteristics for image storage application profiles . 4
5.1 General. 4
5.2 Interoperability . 4
5.3 Flexibility . 4
5.4 Extensibility . 5
5.5 Platform independence . 5
5.6 Multiple storage technologies . 5
5.7 Elimination of redundancy . 5
6 Image data format specification . 5
6.1 General considerations . 5
6.2 Application layer for image data . 5
6.3 Presentation layer . 5
6.4 Image data formats . 5
6.5 Application layer for sound data . 30
7 File system requirements . 31
7.1 General considerations . 31
7.2 Directory structure and name . 31
7.3 Object . 31
7.4 Interoperability . 32
7.5 Device requirement level . 32
Annex A (normative) TIFF/EP image data format. 34
Annex B (normative) Exif image data format . 35
Annex C (normative) Image data format — JPEG 2000, Part 1 and 2 . 36
Annex D (informative) DCF file system . 37
Bibliography . 39

Formatted: Font: 10 pt
Foreword . iv
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Introduction . v
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1 Scope . 1
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2 Normative references . 1
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3 Terms and definitions . 1
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4 Reference model . 2
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iii
ISO/DISPRF 12234-1:2025(en) Formatted: Font: 11 pt, Bold
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4.1 General considerations . 2
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4.2 Image storage application profiles (ISAP) . 3
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4.3 Image data format . 3
4.4 File system . 3
4.5 Media profiles . 4
5 Required characteristics for image storage application profiles . 4
5.1 General. 4
5.2 Interoperability . 4
5.3 Flexibility . 4
5.4 Extensibility . 4
5.5 Platform independence . 5
5.6 Multiple storage technologies . 5
5.7 Elimination of redundancy . 5
6 Image data format specification . 5
6.1 General considerations . 5
6.2 Application layer for image data . 5
6.3 Presentation layer . 5
6.4 Image data formats . 5
6.4.1 General. 5
6.4.2 Feature classifications . 6
6.4.3 Guidance for persisting metadata . 6
6.4.4 Image data features and guidance for persisting the features . 7
6.5 Application layer for sound data . 29
7 File system requirements . 29
7.1 General considerations . 29
7.2 Directory structure and name . 30
7.3 Object . 30
7.3.1 General.
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