selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

The question was asked:

The short answer is, "Yes." You can use a memory card from one camera in another camera without reformatting.

The discussion ran on for 8 pages, some of it unnecessarily heated.

Probably a more fundamental question is, "Do you need to format a memory card at all?"

The already come "formatted" from the factory for use in all sorts of devices. When you place a new one in a camera it needs to create a directory at the root named DCIM and a sub-directory specific to your camera mode to complete the formatting process.

If you don't move that memory card to another device there is no need to ever re-format the card. You can just delete images without deleting DCIM or the sub-directory. If you re-format in your camera, DCIM and one empty sub-directory are automatically created.

If you move it to a different model camera, a new sub-directory will be created under DCIM but the other sub-directory remains, including any images from the first camera that you left there.

So it's just a matter of whether you feel it is easier to reformat you memory card or simply delete your images. The result is the same if you don't move the card around.

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

I reformat after I copy all my photos to my external hard drives an I verified they are copied, I've been doing this ever since I got into digital photography. Interesting thing I still have the very first card however I don't use it any more not much good for my newer model camera.

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

Different strokes ...

One advantage of deleting is that some cameras let you delete all images for a specific date. Of course that takes a few more clicks.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

It is good practice to re-format the card periodically. It is said it refreshes the memory.
Deleting images in camera has no detrimental effect on the card. Yes, a card can be shared with other cameras. My preference is to re-format when I do that.
Only one of the memory cards I have ever failed. I did not do any investigations and went with a new card. Memory cards are cheap today.
I do not know how long a card will last. Some of mine are old and still kicking.

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

I don't remember the last time I re-formated a card - never had a problem.

Probably the most wear and tear comes from ejecting a card and moving it between the camera and the computer so I don't do that either. I just transfer via cable.

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

One of the reason to format the card is to eliminate memory errors that sometimes occurs after lot of use, sooner or later it will happen and yes I know manufacturers are producing better card and seems to be as much of an issue so they say but it is just as easy to format problem solved.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Good information. Unless you want to erase your images, I see no need to keep reformatting cards. Memory cards, just 7 years ago were quite expensive. Now they are better, faster and inexpensive. If own a DSLR, a Bridge and a pocket camera. Why shouldn't you have a SD card in each camera, like me. Plus, I have 2 brand new inexpensive 16gb Lexar SD cards as emergency backups, in case one of them fails.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

No, it certainly is not the same!

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

What is different?

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Even if you not move the card around, just deleting the images does not clear your card entirely, while formatting does!

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

Formatting does not erase the data on the card. It only empties out the index leaving a directory that contains only the entries for the DCIM and its sub-folder.

You won't be able to tell the difference between a card that has been re-formatted by the camera or PC and one where all of the images have been deleted (except that the PC will not re-create the DCIM and its sub-folder).

Whether you re-format the card or delete all of the images, it is still possible to recover most of the image data so long as you have not written over the old data with new images.

The only way to completely erase the data is with a low-level format that overwrites all of the content of the card and then recreates the entire disk's structure. That is no longer done except at the factory where the card or disk drive is initially created. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disk_formatting

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I'm tempted to buy a cheap card and start using it without formatting.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Whilst I agree with much of what you say, low level formatting is an available option on my camera, and certainly via software on my computer.

There can also be other complications to take into consideration. I use Magic Lantern, a runtime software that adds extra capabilities to some Canon cameras but is model and firmware level specific. That makes swapping cards between cameras a little more complicated and reformatting on a computer requires reinstalling the software. Not hard to do, but an additional level of awareness and complexity.

Few things are as simple as they sometimes appear.

jim in TC Loc: Traverse City, Michigan

Just the other day I was at our local camera shop and overheard a customer wondering about an error message he was getting from his memory card, which no longer functioned in his Nikon. The salesperson, whom I trust as knowledgeable, suggested that one never erase images in a computer (which I have done a lot of without a problem) and that for best longevity and reliability use the card in the same camera and reformat instead of erase. I have a long and uneventful history of no following that advice, but it is easy enough to do and if it keeps a card functional longer I will do just that (a card failure is almost certain to happen at the most inopportune moment, yes?).

Jeffcs Loc: Myrtle Beach South Carolina

As a long time Nikon shooter I remember reading, yes I actually did read one of those novels, camera manual, and as I recall it was stated "for best results" format the memory card between uses sooooo after I've downloaded from the card and am certain that I have my back up with backup when I reinstall the card I reformatted it befor shooting again