Card Formatting

[Sarah White]

Is it necessary when you have upgraded your camera to format the memory card you were using in your old one before using in your new camera? Thank you for any info.

[Teresa (pocketmouse)]

I wouldn't think so! I swap memory cards between my (Canon 500D) and my boyfriend's (600D) camera all the time and it doesn't seem to be a problem :)

[Leonie Mogridge]

I swap my cards between two different cameras as well, and reformat them all once a month. Remember that reformatting will delete all the photos from the card.

[Terry R]

I reformat the card every time I put it in the camera. It is much better than just deleting the photos and reduces the chances of problems with the card- or so I've been told anyway. I never store photos on the cards- only on the computer and external hard drives I use as back ups.

[Teresa (pocketmouse)]

@terryvet92 I do the same, and I format my card every few weeks - sometimes random rubbish data just builds up on them after a while!

[Sarah White]

@pocketmouse @onie @terryvet92

Thanks Teresa, Leonie and Terry for the replies.

I've never formatted a card before, well I don't think I have so I wasn't sure. I normally once I've taken a batch of photos take them off and keep on the computer and an external hardrive and then delete all from the card via the cameras menu. I'll read up now though on how to format and get to it. :D

[Paul Godfrey]

I would format the card fresh for each shoot. This works best for any camera and especially if switching between cameras and models. Cards are very cheap now, so I would buy some extras if you dont want to format right away.

[Michel Dumas]

I use two cards. I save my photos on my computer after every shoot and I switch card when one is full. So I reformat everytime I change card.

[❀ Lynn]

Can't remember where I read it but remember that it is better to format on the camera then on your computer. So I always leave the photos on the card after transfer to the computer and then format by the camera after I am sure all photos have transferred successfully. It is an easy function on your camera.

[Alison]

@lynnb that is interesting ... I reformat after each shoot but on pc... But will do so on camera from now on

[Carol Estes]

I work on a macbook, and apple adds a little bit of themselves onto each SD card. I have to reformat regularly or my canon will error with card full (of data crap).

[Stacey]

I reformat after every use. Less chance of getting corrupt files.

[Rosie Kind]

Like Stacey, after asking the same question on here a while ago, I reformat after each shoot (unless I forget and then I get cross with myself LOL).

[Ron Correia]

It is not "necessary" to reformat the card, but it's advisable to do so. I format my card in the camera after every use. It maintains a clean directory and prevents a fragmented directory on the card. (Just deleting the files and not formatting can really corrupt the directory over time.)

Unless I'm having problems with a card, I never format it on the PC. The card is going to be used in the camera, so I make sure I format it in the camera.