JWO Loc: Kentucky

I have just purchased the Canon SX50 camera but cannot get a card reader to see the card. I can only upload pictures by connecting the camera to USB port. Can anyone suggest why this is happening, or what to do next.

RicknJude Loc: Quebec, Canada

If you can read the card with the USB connection we know the card is OK. Time to buy a card reader that works.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Actually, you are better off using this method. Your card reader is not "talking" to your computer. There are several possibilities as to the cause. The easiest solution is to eliminate the reader. The usual prescribed method is to use the cable connected to the camera. The philosophy might be "the camera took the images, the camera should download them". This same philosophy holds true when you need to format a card or erase images, the camera made the images, the camera should remove them.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

With my SX50 I use the USB cable and the Canon Camera Window software to import the files from my card. Very easy to do and it automatically creates new folders for the year and month as it is uploading.

Jim Plogger Loc: East Tennessee

Contrary to what many believe, a card reader is the fastest and easiest way to upload your photos. With the card in the reader open Windows Explorer and click on Computer. You should then see a list of your drives. If the card reader is not showing I would expect that it is bad or that the USB port is not functioning properly. You might try it in a different USB port. If the reader is showing click on the drive letter and it should open showing your images. If the images are showing, a possible cause of the reader not opening automatically when you insert the card is that the Auto Play function is disabled. This can be set in the Control Panel under Auto Play.

mwalsh Loc: Houston

Spend $10 on a new card reader. It is the fasted most efficient way to download. (make sure the card is pushed all the way into the reader...I have failed to do so before)

Dick Z. Loc: Downers Grove IL

JWO, I had the same situation as you a while back and found out that some older and cheaper card readers won't read high megapixel cards. I spent a little more and purchased one that reads my large capacity cards. My newer computers have card readers built in that read larger capacity cards also. You may also have a bad card but if you view your photos from the camera, I drought that.
Card readers are the best way to retrieve your pictures and saves on your camera battery..... Good luck with all the suggestions you get from the HOG. :) :) :)