timbuktutraveler

Must you format a memory card before using it?

Also, if a memory card is being used in Camera A (ie: Sony)
can you take it out of A and use it in Camera B (ie: Nikon)?

If yes, do you need to do anything to the card once it is in Camera B?

Many thanks.....Larry

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

Once images are up loaded to Lightroom and they are checked for problems I format my memory card in the camera.
As I understand it you must format memory cards for use in each camera before use.
Hope this helps.

Don

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You can test for yourself and confirm. Formatting a card in-camera established some control information specific to the camera model. You probably can format the card in both cameras and then move that card between both cameras and use without any issues, that is: format just once in each camera. Again, the testing is simple and just a matter of minutes to verify with the specific equipment involved. Or, just format the card each time you change the card between cameras.

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

Yes the card needs to be formatted in the camera you intend to use it in. Make sure anything you want off the card is saved elsewhere. Format the card in the camera you want to use it on. Then transfer all the shoots and put it in the next camera and format the card in that camera and use it. Just don't forget to download what you want from the card before you format it. A format erases all data on the card and sets it up for the camera you are formatting it in.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Must format new card.
Must format card if changing cameras as noted and even within brands if you have an older camera and a newer one or format no matter what.
Formatting is NO big deal so it should be habit if going from Sony to Nikon.

Bill_de Loc: US

Not sure about having to format when using a second camera.

I can only speak for my Nikons. If I use a card in one camera and then use it in a different camera, a second folder is created on the card. If I remember correctly you can see the folders by looking under 'Photo Shooting Menu / Storage Folder'.

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I just took the SD card from my Panasonic point and shoot that has my praying mantis pictures on it, and put it in my Nikon D850. The camera read and showed the _Pana folder contents. I then took a couple of pictures with the Nikon. It created and showed the contents from a new ND850 folder.

That's one card formatted in one brand of camera automatically creating a new, second folder on the card in a totally different body.

Folks tend to complicate things on UHH.

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User ID

You cant have a "dual formatted" card since whatever is the latest format cleaned off all the data that was there before. IOW the latest format would always be the only format.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I typically format new cards once in the camera. I did find out that if I don't, my T1i creates the directory structure it requires. So technically the card does not "require" formatting for my camera.

If I used the same card in different cameras, especially different brands, I'd probably format them when changing cameras.
But again, I'd try it without formatting, viewing the directory structure before placing it in a camera and then viewing the directory structure after using it in the camera. Maybe they can be used interchangeably. I like to experiment.
I'd put the card in one camera, see if it takes care of what it needs, put it in a different camera, see if it takes care of what it needs, check to see if each camera uses a different directory structure, go from there. Since I don't know what exactly the formatting does, if different directories exist, will it erase them? I'll have to try that - create a couple of off-the-wall directories, put the card in a camera, format it, then look to see if it wiped the test directories or not.

Side note: I delete the files via the computer after transferring them to the computer and replace the card in the camera without formatting again. I've not had any problems in over 10 years with doing this.
Some people believe one must format the card every time it is placed in the camera.
I don't.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Try it yourself. I'm only speaking from a memory when I seem to remember swapping SD cards between Sony and Canon without formatting and no big deal. I seem to remember being a bit surprised the folders for both were available. Maybe tomorrow I'll try again. As said in my response, a best practice is format whenever changing cameras, followed by testing to see if truly necessary for the specific cameras involved.

SteveInConverse Loc: South Texas

Typically, I format before I shoot. This bit me in the ass recently as I had forgotten to dump my images. Thankfully it was stuff I could easily get again. Beware!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Pure Horse Pucky.

I use the method that is fasted per camera. My Canon EOS is easier / faster to delete all images on card via the Canon menus. My Sony has less menu steps to get to format.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

What is???

While I'm in Explorer transferring, when done I simply highlight all on the card and delete.
Pop that puppy back in the camera.

Whatever floats your boat, eh?
How many seconds faster? Three?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You seem to have edited the horse pucky from the original text ... I was agreeing, but it had disappeared by the time of my <quote reply>. My point was mostly to do what's easier. There's no technical requirement for always format, including being a more complex / time wasting step for some cameras.

Alphabravo2020

On an old Canon Rebel, just deleting the photos in Windows Explorer would not always restore the space on the SD card. I don't know the cause exactly but somehow after many cycles of deleting images in Windows, hidden files built up on the card until it the camera reported that the disk was full. A format was required to clear the card.

Alphabravo2020

Any camera will read an SD card right out of the retail package. They all use and format to FAT32 or whatever proprietary flavor the camera manufacturer licenses. Nikon/Canon/Sony folders will all live happily on the same card.

Edit: This is not advice to deviate from the camera manufacturer's recommendations.