Any quick format button on Sony alphas? I always reformat my sdcard when I put it in the camera. I've been doing this for many years because it ensures that the camera will be able...

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

I always reformat my sdcard when I put it in the camera. I've been doing this for many years because it ensures that the camera will be able write to the card and both the camera and the computer will be able to read the card.

My Nikons always had a dual button combination that immediately did a format of the card.

I can't find any way of finding that on either Sony a6000 or a6300. They both hide the format item two levels down in the menu system. They let you assign almost every function to special buttons as you might choose. Not this one.

Does anyone else have a better way?

amkras Loc: NY

That's a great question and I will be checking to see if there's an answer.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

You could reset it with a sledge hammer!!
But be warned, the reset is not, REVERSIBLE!!!

SS

Hey, really, don't do it...., it's a joke...., really!! LoL

sebastian pons

I have a A6000 and to format a card, go the toolbox, and format is the first entry on the fifth tab. I hope this helps you.
sebastian

Jcmarino

No I just use the menu, fairly fast and simple.

Carl D Loc: Albemarle, NC.

Sorry, the only way I know is to goto the toolbox icon, highlight the format line and follow the prompt. They don't offer a shortcut because they don't want you accidentally formatting your card while shooting. Options: you might be able to assign a fn to formatting not sure though. I know that I wouldn't want to.

peterg Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

On the A6300, I think the only way to format is via Menu > Toolbox > 5 > Format. Perhaps, this is Sony's way to protect the user from themselves. I've read more complaints about users formatting/erasing by accident than a lack of a formatting shortcut. Personally, I have several empty cards, so I'm not in a hurry to format. When one is full, I lock the card and put it in my card wallet with the label down. I then reformat a few cards at a time via the camera's menu. SD cards are quite affordable and often are on sale.

wmurnahan Loc: Bloomington IN

How often do you reformat your cards that you want a quicker method to do it?

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

On all of my Canon bodies, there is a "user definable" menu that allows the user to assign any menu setting the camera offers. So I always take advantage of that by including Format, Battery Info, HDR, and Bracketing among others. This way I don't have to look for them in the 6 other menu headings. I don't know if Sony camera bodies have this or not. I think Nikon does have something like this.

CAS1951 Loc: San Diego

K

jeep_daddy wrote:

On all of my Canon bodies, there is a "user definable" menu that allows the user to assign any menu setting the camera offers. So I always take advantage of that by including Format, Battery Info, HDR, and Bracketing among others. This way I don't have to look for them in the 6 other menu headings. I don't know if Sony camera bodies have this or not. I think Nikon does have something like this.

charles tabb Loc: Richmond VA.

I have a Sony a99 and it lets me set the camera so when I hit Menu it will got to the last menu item that I had picked.
I leave it on Format so when I hit menu again it goes right there to format.
Hope this will apply to your Sony.

Charles

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

Reinaldokool wrote:

I always reformat my sdcard when I put it in the c... (show quote)

Why reformat after each use? I've used the Sony A7S, A7R, A7 II and A7R II for several years and think I've reformatted an SD card about four times... If the camera can't read/write the card, it will let you know.

bwa

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

I have always formatted my memory card in the camera after downloading the images. And have been doing it since I first got into digital photography in the early 90s.
I have never had any problems with any of my cards. People who just delete images all the time risk having corrupt data on the card that can cause future problems.
I have always believed in that old saying... an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure....

Format instead of Erase. Simply erasing, or deleting, images on your memory cards doesn't fully clear the cards of leftover data. Instead, it's better to get in the habit of formatting your cards. Formatting is a more complete way of clearing old files from your card and can reduce the risk of data corruption.

will

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

sebastian pons wrote:

I have a A6000 and to format a card, go the toolbox, and format is the first entry on the fifth tab. I hope this helps you.
sebastian

Thanks I knew that. But it is a multistep process. And on the a6300 it is not first but next to last on that tab. Much as I do love my a6300, Sony always does weird proprietary things. Nikon just made it easy. Hold down one button and press a second and you're golden.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

Carl D wrote:

Sorry, the only way I know is to goto the toolbox icon, highlight the format line and follow the prompt. They don't offer a shortcut because they don't want you accidentally formatting your card while shooting. Options: you might be able to assign a fn to formatting not sure though. I know that I wouldn't want to.

You can't assign it to any button that I've found. It's not even in the list. Oh well, not too big a deal. Just inconvenient. I was hoping some genius here might have discovered a magic fix.