Help on Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200!! (Page 2): You must have missed my post. Here's the part that directs your remark: "6. When it asked if you want to delete the info on the card...

fishmaven Loc: Ohio right now

You must have missed my post. Here's the part that directs your remark:

"6. When it asked if you want to delete the info on the card
select yes.

Turn the camera off, then back on. If that nasty blurb stating you won't be able to record is gone, you've done the formatting correctly."

If there are no photos you can't lose anything. Click yes, and see if the blurb goes away.

Graeme Loc: El Cerrito, California

fishmaven wrote:

You must have missed my post. Here's the part that directs your remark:

"6. When it asked if you want to delete the info on the card
select yes.

Turn the camera off, then back on. If that nasty blurb stating you won't be able to record is gone, you've done the formatting correctly."

If there are no photos you can't lose anything. Click yes, and see if the blurb goes away.

I was used to, e.g. Canon, were the Delete All and Reformat are different. The Reformat would take much longer, even after Delete All. Guess things happen faster now.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Graeme wrote:

Many thanks for the detailed explanation, however on my FZ200 after "format" there is only the choice to Delete photos, not format. With an empty card it does nothing.
I recall some earlier cameras, e.g. Canon, having a simple choice of Reformat when or after deleting All pictures.

Not sure, but I believe with Panasonic, it's semantics--format/delete. You select "format," but your choice is "delete." I think it really means the same thing.

sidpearce

Hi only just seen this.
If you have not already found out how to format heres how to do it.
Into tools bottom left in menu.
Go to setup 7.
Bottomis Format.
This works at any time.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Interestingly, and not meaning to hijack the thread, but Sony's equivalent is "delete." There is no choice to "format." Just says "delete." I assume, since it's done in-camera, that it is the same as doing a format. I don't find anything else available for (at least) the A5100.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Far North wrote:

Interestingly, and not meaning to hijack the thread, but Sony's equivalent is "delete." There is no choice to "format." Just says "delete." I assume, since it's done in-camera, that it is the same as doing a format. I don't find anything else available for (at least) the A5100.

I honestly don't remember if it's my Panasonic, Nikon or Canon, but one of my cameras follows the "FORMAT" command with a message that "All images will be deleted" or words to that effect. Formatting does not always actually delete the pictures, but deletes the index to the pictures or changes the picture titles so they can be overwritten. This is in accordance with common computer processes and explains why so many pictures can be recovered after formatting, but before rewriting. Occasionally, I will format a card on my computer using a process that overwrites every bit on the card (usually three times, but capable of seven), then I format it one more time in the camera.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Far North wrote:

Interestingly, and not meaning to hijack the thread, but Sony's equivalent is "delete." There is no choice to "format." Just says "delete." I assume, since it's done in-camera, that it is the same as doing a format. I don't find anything else available for (at least) the A5100.

So I returned the A5100 yesterday because I was having problems seeing the LCD panel for some reason, and picked up an A6000. The 6000 does have a "format" function. Either I missed something on the A5100 or it just has the delete feature, only. Camera technology is dizzying.