How To Care For Your Memory Cards

How long will memory cards last in a digital camera? The answer will depend on a variety of factors, including how often you use your camera, how you store your memory cards, what type of cards you use and how you save and format the data on your cards.

The Compact Flash Association claims that in typical usage, a Compact Flash card can be used for more than 100 years with no loss or deterioration of data. The association doesn't say what it considers "typical" use, but a CF card should easily outlast any camera it is installed in. You can also expect a long life span from other quality memory media, such as SDC, SDHC and Sony's Memory Stick format.

Having said that, that doesn't mean that memory cars are indestructible. Damage, manufacturing defects and careless handling can cause individual cards to go bad. If you are experience any data loss with a particular card, that is clear signal that you should stop using the card.. Memory cards have become quite affordable, so it doesn't make sense to risk capturing your precious images to a memory card that could be corrupt.

Before discarding the card, you could try reformatting it. All digital cameras offer the option to either erase or format memory cards. When you simply erase images, the images are removed from the card's directory, but the data remains on the card until it is overwritten. The card's file system and directory are untouched.

Formating installs a shiny new file system on the card. It tales slightly more time and protected images will loose their protected status. Most cameras allow you to protect images on a card so they cannot be accidently erased. Formatting ignores any protection and tells the camera it can overwrite everything.

There is no need to format the card each time you use it, but it is good practice to format the card periodically. Formatting ensures that minor system corruption won't stealthily infect the card and cause image loss.

To help ensure your cards will live a long, healthy life, you should practice safe card handling.

Always turn your camera off when removing or inserting a card. Removing or adding a card in a live camera can cause an electrical arc that can cause data loss. Similarly, you should use care when removing a mounted card from your computer. Whether you use a card reader or an USB cable, always use your computer's eject command before removing a card from your computeer.

Take care of your cards. Don't throw them loose in your camera bag or pocket. Get a protective case and store your cards in the case when they are not in use.

Don't fill your memory cards to capacity. With a fresh card, your camera is free to write data anywhere it wishes in all that empty space. As the card becomes filled, however, the camera needs to shoehorn new data into out-of-the-way locations on the card. There is a greater potential of data corruption with a card crowded with images.

Don't erase or format the card from the computer, always use the camera's own erase and format controls. Many software programs offer the ability to erase the card after you upload images. Technically, your computer and your camera should write data to the card in the same way, but cameras tend to be more strict about handling data. Your best practice will be to let your camera erase and format cards, and use your computer simply to upload images after a shoot.

Buy top quality cards. The prices of memory cards continue to fall, so it makes little sense to try to save money by buying a no-name card. Watch for sales and buy SanDisk, Lexar, Sony or other brand name cards.

Don't use memory cards for long-term storage. Copy the images off the card as soon as practical after you shoot your images. When you are confident that your images are backed up in at least two other places, then erase or format the card in your camera.

If you suspect a card is failing, stop using it immediately. New cards are inexpensive, so there is no need to play Russian-roulette with your precious images!