exFAT
Also known as: exFAT file system, FAT32 vs exFAT
The file system most cameras use on large SD cards. It supports files over 4 GB and works on Windows and Mac, unlike the older FAT32.
Updated
What it means
A memory card needs a file system to organize data. Older, smaller cards used FAT32, which cannot store a single file larger than 4 GB. exFAT was designed to remove that limit while staying simple and widely compatible, and it is the standard for SDXC cards of 64 GB and larger.
Both Windows and macOS read and write exFAT, which is why it became the default for cameras, drones and external drives that move between computers. The 4 GB limit of FAT32 is also part of the history behind chaptered video files, although many cameras still split recordings for safety.
Cameras format cards themselves, usually choosing exFAT automatically for large cards.
How it works in practice
Format each card in the camera you will use it in, rather than on a computer. The camera sets the file system and folder structure it expects, which reduces errors. Formatting before a trip also clears fragmentation that can slow writes.
For backup drives that move between Mac and Windows, exFAT is convenient. For a drive used only on one system, that system native format is usually more robust, especially for large video libraries.
Pair the right file system with the right card: a fast speed class matters as much as formatting for high-bitrate recording.
What to watch out for
exFAT has no journaling, so pulling a card or drive out while it is writing can corrupt files or the whole card. Always eject properly on the computer and stop recording before removing a card from the camera.
If a card was formatted on a computer with the wrong settings, a camera may refuse it or show errors. Back up anything on it and reformat in the camera.
Do not use one card across several cameras without reformatting. Different folder structures can confuse cameras, and mixed files are easy to lose during footage backups.
How RawClip handles it
The file system only matters on your card and computer. Once the clips are copied off, upload them to RawClip in one order, including every chapter of long recordings, and the AI builds your highlight.