Video/JPEG file
p.1 #1Video/JPEG file
When shooting video, Sony cameras also create a small JPEG file. I am unable to find any useful information in the JPEG that is not also in the video file. Has anyone found a reason to keep the JPEG?
Mar 01, 2026 at 01:28 PM
RoamingScott
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p.1 #3Video/JPEG file
It’s a thumbnail.
Mar 01, 2026 at 04:58 PM
p.1 #4Video/JPEG file
BlueBomberTurbo wrote:
Isn't it just a preview image for the playback grid?
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RoamingScott wrote:
It’s a thumbnail.
Yes, it's a thumbnail, but it's not needed as a thumbnail. In LrC, I get a thumbnail for the JPEG and a second thumbnail (presumably embedded in the video file) for the video. The JPEG is useless as a thumbnail and just clutters up the display. If that's the only function for the JPEG, I'm going to delete them all.
I have searched for some metadata that the JPEG has that the video file does not have but have not found anything. Does anyone know of a useful function for the JPEG that would mean they should be kept not deleted?
Isn't it just a preview image for the playback grid?
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RoamingScott wrote:
It’s a thumbnail.
Yes, it's a thumbnail, but it's not needed as a thumbnail. In LrC, I get a thumbnail for the JPEG and a second thumbnail (presumably embedded in the video file) for the video. The JPEG is useless as a thumbnail and just clutters up the display. If that's the only function for the JPEG, I'm going to delete them all.
I have searched for some metadata that the JPEG has that the video file does not have but have not found anything. Does anyone know of a useful function for the JPEG that would mean they should be kept not deleted?
Mar 01, 2026 at 07:09 PM
p.1 #5Video/JPEG file
dclark wrote:
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Yes, it's a thumbnail, but it's not needed as a thumbnail. In LrC, I get a thumbnail for the JPEG and a second thumbnail (presumably embedded in the video file) for the video. The JPEG is useless as a thumbnail and just clutters up the display. If that's the only function for the JPEG, I'm going to delete them all.
I have searched for some metadata that the JPEG has that the video file does not have but have not found anything. Does anyone know of a useful function for the JPEG that would mean they should be kept not...Show more →
It's generated by the camera, for use by the camera when displaying a thumbnail for the video. Sony doesn't embed their thumbnails in the video file, at least for the Sony cameras I've owned.
BlueBomberTurbo wrote
Isn't it just a preview image for the playback grid?RoamingScott wrote
It’s a thumbnail.I have searched for some metadata that the JPEG has that the video file does not have but have not found anything. Does anyone know of a useful function for the JPEG that would mean they should be kept not...Show more →
It's generated by the camera, for use by the camera when displaying a thumbnail for the video. Sony doesn't embed their thumbnails in the video file, at least for the Sony cameras I've owned.
Mar 03, 2026 at 05:12 AM
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p.1 #6Video/JPEG file
snapsy wrote:
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Yes, it's a thumbnail, but it's not needed as a thumbnail. In LrC, I get a thumbnail for the JPEG and a second thumbnail (presumably embedded in the video file) for the video. The JPEG is useless as a thumbnail and just clutters up the display. If that's the only function for the JPEG, I'm going to delete them all.
I have searched for some metadata that the JPEG has that the video file does not have but have not found anything. Does anyone know of a useful function for the JPEG that would mean they should be kept not deleted?It's generated by the camera, for use by the camera when displaying a thumbnail for the video. Sony doesn't embed their thumbnails in the video file, at least for the Sony cameras I've owned.
I deleted all the JPEGs in a folder. LrC still displays thumbnails for all the videos. Catalyst Browse still displays thumbnails for all the videos. The JPEG is not needed as a thumbnail and there is a thumbnail somewhere even if you say there is not an embedded thumbnail.
The JPEG appears to be useless. Anybody know of a reason to keep it?
Edited on Mar 03, 2026 at 11:00 AM · View previous versions
dclark wrote
BlueBomberTurbo wrote
Isn't it just a preview image for the playback grid?RoamingScott wrote
It’s a thumbnail.I have searched for some metadata that the JPEG has that the video file does not have but have not found anything. Does anyone know of a useful function for the JPEG that would mean they should be kept not deleted?
I deleted all the JPEGs in a folder. LrC still displays thumbnails for all the videos. Catalyst Browse still displays thumbnails for all the videos. The JPEG is not needed as a thumbnail and there is a thumbnail somewhere even if you say there is not an embedded thumbnail.
The JPEG appears to be useless. Anybody know of a reason to keep it?
Edited on Mar 03, 2026 at 11:00 AM · View previous versions
Mar 03, 2026 at 10:59 AM
RoamingScott
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p.1 #7Video/JPEG file
How many times must you ask the same exact question 
You already did your own test and found it useless to keep for your own workflow.
You already did your own test and found it useless to keep for your own workflow.Mar 03, 2026 at 10:59 AM
p.1 #8Video/JPEG file
RoamingScott wrote:
How many times must you ask the same exact question You already did your own test and found it useless to keep for your own workflow.
Your contributions have been as useful as the JPEGs.
How many times must you ask the same exact question
You already did your own test and found it useless to keep for your own workflow.Your contributions have been as useful as the JPEGs.
Mar 03, 2026 at 11:04 AM
p.1 #9Video/JPEG file
dclark wrote:
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Yes, it's a thumbnail, but it's not needed as a thumbnail. In LrC, I get a thumbnail for the JPEG and a second thumbnail (presumably embedded in the video file) for the video. The JPEG is useless as a thumbnail and just clutters up the display. If that's the only function for the JPEG, I'm going to delete them all.
I have searched for some metadata that the JPEG has that the video file does not have but have not found anything. Does anyone know of a useful function for the JPEG that would mean they should be kept not deleted?It's generated by the camera, for use by the camera when displaying a thumbnail for the video. Sony doesn't embed their thumbnails in the video file, at least for the Sony cameras I've owned.I deleted all the JPEGs in a folder. LrC still displays thumbnails for all the videos. Catalyst Browse still displays thumbnails for all the videos. The JPEG is not needed as a thumbnail and there is a thumbnail somewhere even if you say there is not an embedded thumbnail.
The JPEG appears to be useless. Anybody know of a reason to keep it?
"It's generated by the camera, for use by the camera when displaying a thumbnail for the video"
snapsy wrote
dclark wrote
BlueBomberTurbo wrote
Isn't it just a preview image for the playback grid?RoamingScott wrote
It’s a thumbnail.I have searched for some metadata that the JPEG has that the video file does not have but have not found anything. Does anyone know of a useful function for the JPEG that would mean they should be kept not deleted?
The JPEG appears to be useless. Anybody know of a reason to keep it?
"It's generated by the camera, for use by the camera when displaying a thumbnail for the video"
Mar 03, 2026 at 11:06 AM