Memory Card are one of the best innovations to come out in the field of data storage. This miniaturization of the Storage device made it possible to design smaller digital photography cameras and other devices. A large amount of data can be stored in these cards. The biggest advantage is that the data stored in the storage device can be removed and the cards can be reused to store new data.
Many photographers wonder whether they should just delete the photographs or format the Memory card. There are many things to consider before you choose any one of these two options. Whichever option you choose, it is always necessary to take a look at all data stored in the card before going ahead with the delete or format function.
There are data recovery software programs that claim to recover some or all data that were removed. Before formatting such a card, it is a good practice to check all the data present in the memory card and save the files you will need. It will help avoid permanently losing your important data.
File Removing Options: Delete and Format
First, you need to understand what happens when you go ahead with one of these two options. To a person not familiar with the memory cards for cameras, both features look similar but there are some differences. In both cases, you are going to remove the data from the memory system. In case of using the delete function, you will be deleting only the selected items.
In case of formatting, all data stored in your memory card will be deleted permanently. It is due to high risk of losing all data in one go that the format function is hidden from the sight and does not come up easily in the menu options of your camera. It is to prevent accidental deletion of all data stored in the memory card. The delete function is visible immediately. It can be used to delete one or multiple photographs.
Delete Memory card
The delete function is quick and easy to use. It lets you remove unwanted images without going through a long process. There are some data recovery software programs that let you recover data. Such a program proves useful if you accidentally delete an important set of data. The problem is that this advantage is available to other people as well.
Anyone having access to your memory card can recover the data that you think you deleted and removed. The programs used for this purpose are not always successful but many times they are able to recover most of the data that were erased. A photo or video file carries some associated data. This data is not always removed when you delete a photo or video file.
Over time, all that data of deleted files take up a large chunk of your memory card’s space. This data is not visible and can corrupt your card. It can make your card unusable permanently if not removed in time. It is due to these reasons that occasional formatting of the card is recommended.
Format Memory card
The format function is used to completely erase all types of data from your memory card. It will remove even those data sets that are associated with the files and stored in the background. After using this function, you get access to most of the available memory space once again.
Data recovery programs claim to recover the erased data even after the format function is used. The erased data is removed from a memory storage system only after the same amount of new data is written over it.
Delete or Format
It depends on what you want to achieve and what is your purpose of removing the data. If you are simply trying to remove one or a group of images, the delete function will work fine. If you are trying to erase all data stored on your memory card, you can use either delete or format function.
The advantage of using the format function is that all types of data, including the hidden data associated with the image and video files, will be removed. It is almost like getting a new card that is fresh and does not carry any hidden data.
All memory storage device experts recommend formatting a memory card used in the camera at least a few times in a year. Some experts recommend formatting such a card twice a year while others say it should be done at least once a month. It depends on the frequency of your camera usage and the amount of data you store in your memory card.
Should You Format Your Memory Card in the Camera or in the Computer?
You can use any one of these two options but formatting your memory card in the camera is recommended. The reason for this recommendation is that a camera sets the memory card for use in its own way. Each camera model prepares the card for further use in a different way.
This setup structure is not established if you use a computer to format your camera’s memory card. A card formatted in the digital photography camera works faster when used in the same camera. You will not face any software compatibility issues and the likelihood of seeing data reading and writing error messages will be reduced considerably.
Removing All Data Permanently from Your Memory Card
Some cameras provide a few options within the format category. You will find advanced formatting options that not only delete all files and folders but overwrite that data with unusable binary codes. Its purpose is to remove the data completely and permanently.
A memory card formatted this way becomes completely clean. All traces of data are removed and cannot be recovered in any way. It is a good option to choose when formatting if you do not want your deleted data to be recovered by any means ever.
Once again, always go through all data stored in your memory card before using the delete or format function. Copy and save the important files in another data storage system. It may be impossible to recover the lost data, even when you use a data recovery software program.
Most of the memory cards fresh out of pack do not require any formatting. These cards are now sent to the market by the manufacturers pre-formatted. At the same time, formatting a fresh new card does not harm it in any way. It is a good idea to format your memory card before selling your old camera along with the card to another person or sell the camera without the used memory card.