The storage media used by digital cameras. Currently the most common memory card formats are Compact Flash (CF) and Secure Digital (SD)
35
votes
22answers
11k views
How can I backup my RAW photos while travelling without Internet access?
This question seems similar to this one, but my needs are different :
I shoot in RAW exclusively
I'm looking for a 100% offline solution: while traveling, Internet won't be accessible
the "laptop" ...
25
votes
8answers
4k views
How can I recover deleted photos from an SD Card?
My technophobe mother returned from a European trip to discover she'd erased all but 15 images from a nearly full 2GB card. As I am the computer guy in the family, she posted the card to me and asked ...
22
votes
2answers
1k views
How can I know what speed card to get for my camera?
Cameras rarely specify exactly what speed cards you should be using in them - I just checked the manual for my DSLR, and all it says is to use an SDHD card, and a "high speed" card should be used for ...
18
votes
6answers
2k views
Why don't professional SLR cameras use SD or SDHC memory?
Entry level dSLR's, for the most part, are using less expensive SD and SDHC memory cards,
So, why do pro-sumer and professional cameras (for the most part) use only Compact Flash (CF) memory? Is it ...
18
votes
11answers
949 views
Is it better to have one large memory card or several smaller ones?
I don't think anyone can give a definitive answer, but what are the factors I should consider?
What are the pros and cons?
I'm thinking: What are the costs? the risks? How is usability affected? ...
17
votes
7answers
3k views
How often should memory cards be formatted?
Should memory cards in DSLRs be formatted every so often? If so, how often?
I hear that after emptying the card out (transferring images to a computer), that it's a good time to format it to help ...
15
votes
3answers
676 views
why storing a long exposure photo takes almost as long as the exposure time itself?
last night I took some night sky shots, and I've noticed that with long exposure times [15s;30s] the time it took to store the images in the camera memory card (jpeg) took roughly as long?
Whilst the ...
14
votes
4answers
853 views
How Do I Know My Memory Card Is Dying?
I have a 2GB SanDisk Extreme II (I think it's a II) CF card that I use as my main card in my Nikon D200. I normally shoot, take the card out, place it in a cheaper reader, and copy the pictures to my ...
14
votes
1answer
3k views
What is the function of the MISC folder on my memory card?
In all the Canon cameras that I have/had, after every session a MISC folder was created, besides the normal DCIM folder.
This folder was always empty and the camera didn't bother if I deleted it.
...
13
votes
4answers
2k views
What's the difference between CF and SD cards?
What's the difference? Why do professional cameras support CF but amateur models don't?
Both are flash based, both support FAT filesystems — what's the difference?
13
votes
4answers
2k views
What file system are memory cards formatted with?
Is there an industry standard file system cards are formatted with (when you first get them, and/or after a camera formats them)? FAT32, FAT16?
13
votes
5answers
1k views
What's the difference in media card brands?
I am currently looking at 32GB class 10 SDHC cards. The prices per brand are extremely varied.
For example:
Transcend - $54.88
SanDisc - $97.95
Raw Steel - $209.99
What is the cause of the price ...
12
votes
7answers
7k views
What SD(HC) memory card should I be using for my DSLR camera?
What is the optimal size? Are certain brands better? What speed rating is preferred? Any other things to keep in mind?
Specifically, I am using a Canon t2i.
12
votes
1answer
2k views
Why do some professional cameras have dual memory card slots?
I have noticed that some cameras such as the Nikon D300s, Canon EOS 1D Mark IV, or Pentax 645D have dual memory card slots.
What is the purpose of having multiple memory card slots and why would you ...
12
votes
7answers
8k views
How can I recover photo files from a CF memory card with a corrupt filesystem?
I know this is not specifically a photography issue but since many of us with prosumer/professional-level DLSRs use Compact Flash cards, it is bound to happen to others as well.
I have a Sandisk 16GB ...
12
votes
2answers
805 views
Is it better to transfer photos by removing the memory card or by directly using a data cable?
I can download the pictures from the camera using the data cable or I can unplug the card and plug into my PC's card reader. Both work and I couldn't notice big differences in speed or reliability.
...
10
votes
7answers
630 views
The right way to delete all photos from a camera
What is the most correct way to delete all photos from a camera after they all have been copied to a computer:
to format memory card using the camera menu,
or simply Select All and Delete photo ...
10
votes
2answers
309 views
Are there any memory cards available which can keep up with the Canon 1d x?
With 1d x coming out ... soon, I'm curious on what would be the best memory to use with it, if price is no object.
Photo size of this camera should be somewhere in range of 20-30 mb, and with 12 ...
9
votes
4answers
4k views
How can I test a memory card for performance and bad sectors?
I have just purchased a new CF card for my DSLR. I tested it using Xbench (Mac OS X) and it performs as expected. However, I'd like to do a "surface scan" (moving platter term) to check for "bad ...
8
votes
1answer
478 views
What does the X mean in memory specs?
I see memory cards and they claim 60x or 100x or 300x, where I assume 'X' means times.
Times what?
I'm assuming it has something to do with transfer speeds. Is it only on 'reading', ie, going from ...
7
votes
2answers
193 views
Why isn't the Remaining Images Count consistent on my D7000?
I own a Nikon D7000 with 4 GB (Lexar) memory card. My image quality settings are JPEG, Large and image quality as optimum setting. The display on the top show remaining images count in formatted card ...
7
votes
6answers
18k views
Why does my Canon DSLR stop recording video automatically?
I have read a few posts related to video recording using a DSLR so I decided to try my 60D for the first time. I've had the camera for about a year and a half but never tried recording a video.
...
6
votes
1answer
353 views
Why are my photos taking too much memory?
I have a Canon 5D mark II. The weirdest thing happened today. I was shooting with a 4 GB memory in Raw and Jpeg and was only able to shoot 34 pics. I looked at my settings and couldn't figure out what ...
6
votes
2answers
211 views
Nikon SD Memory Cards, are they good?
I've bought a Nikon D7000 Kit (Nikon D7000 Kit AF-S DX 18-105 mm VR) that includes two Nikon branded SD Memory Cards. I've tried them and till now I have no complaints, but due to the lack of some ...
6
votes
4answers
1k views
How to upload multiple CF/SD cards fast?
What tools are available out there (hardware and software) to upload CF (and SD) cards fast? I am looking for a unit that can take multiple at a time. After shooting a Wedding, for example, you are ...
5
votes
1answer
178 views
What benefits to faster memory Cards have?
Although I don't own a pro camera at the moment, I have been trying out equipment that my Uncle uses. I used an Cannon DSLR once and using the continuous shooting feature got about 8 images before it ...
4
votes
1answer
2k views
Which type of memory card best suit for Canon 60D?
Need help in deciding which type of memory card that is best suited for my Canon 60D. Primarily I will be shooting in RAW pictures mode and only occasionally I will be shooting in in HD video mode.
I ...
4
votes
3answers
331 views
Should I get a fast CF card?
I'm wondering whether I should go for a faster card (e.g. SanDisk Extreme series) or can do just fine with slower card (e.g. SanDisk Ultra series) for use with Canon EOS 7D. I'm not planning to ...
4
votes
1answer
749 views
Panasonic: misc files stored on memory card
This may be a Panasonic-specific question. My camera is a DMC-FT2.
On the memory card, apart from the JPG files a lot of other file types can be found. Do you know what they contain and what they are ...
3
votes
4answers
2k views
Why do cameras put photos in multiple folders on a memory card?
Recently when looking at my memory card I noticed that there were multiple folders on the memory card. The file path looked like this:
DCIM/100D5100
DCIM/101D5100
The D5100 is the camera I am ...
3
votes
3answers
329 views
Is there a problem if I delete or copy photos from my SD card using Windows Explorer?
If I just insert the card in the PC and delete some photos inside DCIM folder, or add some, can this damage my card or camera? Should I use some special software for this?
3
votes
2answers
2k views
What kind of SD card do I need to keep my dSLR from stoppping every few seconds when taking HD video? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Why does my Canon DSLR stop recording video automatically?
When I take HD video with my Canon 60D camera, it stops automatically after about 5 seconds.
I am guessing ...
3
votes
2answers
658 views
What is the right way to format a SD Card for use in camera?
What is the right way to format a SD card to be used for pictures? Inside the camera or SD card software?
According to SD card spec, there is a protected area on the card that can be over-written ...
3
votes
4answers
455 views
Should I use USB flash storage to supplement my memory card?
I am going on a trip with one memory card; should I buy another or would a USB flash drive be helpful for storing images?
3
votes
3answers
1k views
What to consider when choosing a memory card for Nikon D90?
I need to get a memory card for a Nikon D90 camera. I think it needs to be class 6 or better so that camera is not slowed down by memory access. Are there any other things to consider when getting ...
3
votes
1answer
319 views
Why does my Canon Rebel XT only recognize 7.8GB of my memory card?
I have a Lexar 16gb CF card. Whenever I format it in my camera (a Canon Digital Rebel XT), it only recognizes 7.8 GB of storage. If I format it in my computer, in the computer it shows 15.6 GB, but ...
3
votes
1answer
672 views
What are XQD memory cards?
I noticed that the Nikon D4 uses XQD memory cards along side Compact Flash memory cards. What are the differences or advantages of XQD?
3
votes
2answers
742 views
Photos taken on unformatted compact flash card
I inserted a SanDisk 32GB compact flash card thinking I'd formatted it. I was able to take 100's photos on a recent holiday. When I tried to transfer them to my computer I was informed on the computer ...
3
votes
2answers
2k views
SD-Card speed limit for Canon EOS 1000D?
I want to buy a new SD-Card for my Canon EOS 1000D. Is it worthwhile to buy a high speed card? What is the speed limit of the controller in the camera?
3
votes
3answers
457 views
Why is my D5000 not saving pictures?
So I just ordered the Tokina 11-16mm. Slapped it on my camera, seemed to work fine, camera recognized and all that jazz, went to snap a picture and it didn't save. It acts like it's taking the ...
3
votes
1answer
154 views
How to delete multiple files in Fujifilm Xpro-1?
Camera: Fujifilm's Xpro-1
Coming back from a trip I had ~300 raw photos in the 16Gb memory card, already saved in the computer, when I went shooting some more. I forgot to format the card after the ...
3
votes
2answers
104 views
Why does my memory only sometimes show my images?
I formatted my card so it showed empty. I took photos for two weeks. The next day after taking a few the card said FULL. I scrolled back. Only the new photos plus some very old images were there.
I ...
2
votes
4answers
678 views
Why would you want to take pictures without a memory card in your camera?
Canon DSLRs have an option to shoot pictures when there is no card installed in the camera. This option is enabled by default, and it got me too many times before I realized it can be disabled in the ...
2
votes
7answers
3k views
Is there a way to read or recover corrupted/incomplete photos on CF card?
OK, last summer I was traveling and we decided to go on a cycle and I thought that would be a great opportunity to play around with some timelapse stuff. I've got a Nikon D70 so I had to tape down the ...
2
votes
2answers
992 views
If I'm happy with the speed, do I really need a faster class 10 or 30MB/s card for my DSLR?
My camera came with 4GB class 10, 30 MB/sec card. I wanted to upgrade to high capacity memory card but I was skeptical, a lower speed card such as class 10, 20MB/sec will cripple my camera when I use ...
2
votes
1answer
1k views
How do I (properly) set up Magic Lantern on more SD cards?
I have successfully installed Magic Lantern on my Canon 60D without any problems at all, but I'm not sure how to deploy it to more cards.
What I'm concerned the most about is the config. I need to ...
2
votes
4answers
4k views
What's behind these memory card problems with my new Nikon D7000?
Recently I bought Nikon D-7000. It's fantastic camera, but I am facing few problems:
I am using 16GB San Disk memory card in slot 1. While taking photos, sometimes it shows a memory card error. If I ...
2
votes
2answers
309 views
How do I fix an unresponsive Canon A510 with an adapted Kingston microSD card?
I have a Canon PowerShot A510 using a Kingston 2GB microSD card with an SD adapter.
The SD card worked perfectly until I formatted the card in my Mac. I formatted it with MS-DOS Fat file system. Now, ...
2
votes
2answers
87 views
Memory card: 1x32Gb or 2x16Gb? [duplicate]
I have a Canon EOS 1100D. There is a promotion on memory cards in a local shop. I have the choice between a SanDisk 32 Gb or 2 x 16 Gb. (Both class 10, 45 MB/s).
What would be the best purchase? The ...
2
votes
1answer
285 views
Help! I have corrupted Jpeg files and I want to get them back to normal!
Ok, so here's what has happened. I was in the middle of uploading the photos from my Sony memory stick (I used two different sony cameras with the same memory stick) of my vacation, onto my computer, ...
