Multi-Camera File Organization [Auto-Classification]

Shooting with multiple cameras makes files mixed and organization difficult.

• Main camera and sub camera
• Multiple photographers shooting
• Digital camera + smartphone + drone

In such situations, wouldn't it be convenient to automatically classify by camera model and photographer?

This article explains efficient methods to organize multi-camera assets using EXIF information. For more on EXIF basics, refer to File Organization Using EXIF Information.

Multi-Camera Shooting Challenges

Common Problems

1. Mixed Files

   • Canon, Sony, iPhone photos in same folder
   • Don't know which is main camera
   • Chronology scattered

2. Overlapping File Names

   • Canon: IMG_0001.CR3
   • Sony: DSC_0001.ARW
   • Confusion with same numbers

3. Time-Consuming Organization

   • Manual camera-by-camera sorting
   • 30-60 minutes for 1,000 photos
   • Risk of human error

4. Team Shooting Confusion

   • Unknown who shot what
   • Complex asset handover
   • Difficult version management

Ideal Organization

✅ Auto-classification by camera model ✅ Photographer-specific folders ✅ Maintain chronology ✅ RAW/JPEG simultaneous support ✅ Fast processing

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Auto-Classification Using EXIF Information

Camera Identification in EXIF

Photos record the following information:

EXIF Example:

Make (Manufacturer): Canon
Model (Model): Canon EOS R5
SerialNumber: 1234567890
LensModel: RF24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM
DateTimeOriginal: 2025:01:20 14:30:15

Using this information, automatic camera-specific classification is possible.

Learn more: File Organization Using EXIF Information

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Method 1: Manual Classification (Inefficient)

Manual Work in Finder

Steps:

1. Select photos in Finder
2. Check camera model in "Get Info"
3. Manually create folders
4. Move files
5. Repeat for all photos...

Time Required:

• 100 photos: ~15 minutes
• 1,000 photos: ~2 hours
• 3,000 photos (wedding): ~6 hours

Rating: ❌ Too inefficient, not recommended

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Method 2: Script Classification (Intermediate)

Shell Script Example

#!/bin/bash

# Classify by camera model using exiftool
exiftool -r '-FileName<${Make}_${Model}/${DateTimeOriginal}' \
  -d %Y-%m-%d_%H%M%S \
  *.CR3 *.ARW *.JPG

Rating: △ For tech users

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Method 3: DockBuddy Organizer (Most Recommended)

Simple & Fast Full Automation

Steps:

Step 1: Rule Settings

DockBuddy Settings:

Sorting Rule 1: EXIF Camera Maker + Model → Folder
  └ Canon EOS R5 → Canon_EOS_R5/
  └ Sony α7 IV → Sony_α7IV/
  └ iPhone 15 Pro → iPhone_15_Pro/
  └ DJI Mavic 3 → DJI_Mavic3_Drone/

Sorting Rule 2: EXIF Shooting Date → Subfolder (optional)

Sorting Rule 3: File Extension → RAW/JPEG separation (optional)

Step 2: Execute

1. Gather all camera assets in one folder
2. Drag & drop to DockBuddy icon
3. Auto-classification complete!

Organization Result

Before:
├── IMG_0001.CR3 (Canon)
├── IMG_0001.JPG (Canon)
├── DSC_0001.ARW (Sony)
├── DSC_0001.JPG (Sony)
├── IMG_0001.HEIC (iPhone)
├── DJI_0001.JPG (Drone)
... (3,000 mixed files)

After:
2025-01-20_Wedding_Shoot/
├── Canon_EOS_R5/
│   ├── RAW/
│   │   ├── IMG_0001.CR3
│   │   └── IMG_0002.CR3
│   └── JPEG/
│       ├── IMG_0001.JPG
│       └── IMG_0002.JPG
├── Sony_α7IV/
│   ├── RAW/
│   └── JPEG/
├── iPhone_15_Pro/
└── DJI_Mavic3_Drone/

Time Required: Significantly faster than manual work ⚡️

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Folder Structure Patterns by Purpose

Pattern 1: Wedding Photographer

Shooting Content:

• Main Camera: Canon EOS R5
• Sub Camera: Sony α7 IV
• iPhone (snapshot shooting)
• Total 3,000-5,000 photos

DockBuddy Settings:

Sorting Rules:
1. EXIF Shooting Date → Scene-based folders
   └ 10:00-12:00 → Ceremony/
   └ 12:00-16:00 → Reception/
   └ 16:00-20:00 → After_Party/

2. EXIF Camera Model → Camera-based subfolders
   └ Canon → Main_Camera_Canon/
   └ Sony → Sub_Camera_Sony/
   └ iPhone → Snapshot_iPhone/

3. File Extension → RAW/JPEG separation

After Organization:

2025-01-20_Smith_Wedding/
├── Ceremony/
│   ├── Main_Camera_Canon_EOS_R5/
│   │   ├── RAW/
│   │   └── JPEG/
│   ├── Sub_Camera_Sony_α7IV/
│   │   ├── RAW/
│   │   └── JPEG/
│   └── Snapshot_iPhone_15_Pro/
├── Reception/
└── After_Party/

Time: Manual 4 hours → DockBuddy minutes

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Pattern 2: Event Shooting (Multiple Photographers)

Shooting Content:

• Photographer A: Canon EOS R6 (Serial: 123456)
• Photographer B: Canon EOS R6 (Serial: 789012)
• Photographer C: Nikon Z6 II

DockBuddy Settings:

Sorting Rules:
1. EXIF Serial Number → Photographer-based
   └ 123456 → Photographer_A_Canon/
   └ 789012 → Photographer_B_Canon/
   └ Others → Photographer_C_Nikon/

2. EXIF Shooting Date → Time-based

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Pattern 3: YouTube/Video Production (Multiple Devices)

Shooting Content:

• Main Camera: Sony α7S III (4K 60fps)
• Sub Camera: Canon EOS R6 (4K 30fps)
• GoPro Hero 12 (action)
• DJI Mavic 3 (drone)
• iPhone 15 Pro (B-roll)

DockBuddy Settings:

Sorting Rules:
1. EXIF Camera Model → Camera-based
   └ Sony α7S III → Main_Camera_4K60/
   └ Canon EOS R6 → Sub_Camera_4K30/
   └ GoPro → Action_Cam/
   └ DJI → Drone/
   └ iPhone → B_Roll/

2. File Format → Video/Photo separation

Learn more: Video File Folder Structure

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Team Operation Best Practices

Rule 1: Pre-Register Cameras

Register cameras before shooting:

Camera A: Canon EOS R5 (S/N: 123456) → Photographer Tanaka
Camera B: Sony α7 IV (S/N: 789012) → Photographer Sato
Camera C: Nikon Z9 (S/N: 345678) → Photographer Suzuki

Apply these settings in DockBuddy.

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Rule 2: Share Unified Settings

Steps:

1. Create master rule configuration
2. Export settings with DockBuddy
3. Distribute to team members (Slack/email)
4. Import for immediate use

Benefits:

• Everyone uses same folder structure
• Easy newcomer training
• Reduced mistakes

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Processing Speed Comparison

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Summary: Multi-Camera Organization = Automation

Multi-camera shooting can be dramatically improved through auto-classification using EXIF information.

Key Points

1. Use EXIF camera model info
2. Distinguish same models with serial numbers
3. Save rule settings for instant next time
4. Share with team for same structure

Why DockBuddy is Recommended

• ⚡️ Fast processing - Significantly faster than manual work
• 🎯 Accurate - No errors with auto EXIF detection
• 📷 All manufacturers supported - Canon/Nikon/Sony/Fuji/Olympus/DJI etc.
• 👥 Team sharing - Export and share rule settings
• 💰 One-time purchase - No monthly fees

Leave organization to DockBuddy and focus on shooting and editing.

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Related Articles

• File Organization Using EXIF Information
• Professional Photographer's Post-Shoot Workflow
• How to Batch Separate RAW and JPEG
• Video File Folder Structure

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Get Started Now

DockBuddy Organizer is available on Mac App Store.

Experience multi-camera automatic organization.