Memory Card Compatability

[amy_bb]

I have a SONY A330 and have been using a SanDisk 8gb HD memory card for the last year. I decided that I needed something with a bit more storage and more importantly, a second card as a backup.

I purchased a SanDisk 16GB Ultra SD HC Card and put it in the camera. I took about 15 pictures with it inserted in the camera and then I got the message "Reinsert the memory card". I did so and continued to get the same message. Then I turned the camera on and off, reinserted the card several times and continued to get the same message.

I went back to using my 8GB card for the rest of the day and it worked fine.

Is this a compatability problem? Has anyone had this happen? Do I need to email Sony and ask about this?

TIA for any help.

[Photologyst]

The first thing that you might want to do is to check with the camera manufacturer as to which card is recommended and also look at your manual. That should tell you which cards are compatible.

Did you format the card prior to using?

[PWhite214]

My first thought is a defective card. Check with the store, they will probably let you try another one.

Phil

[amy_bb]

Originally Posted by Photologyst

The first thing that you might want to do is to check with the camera manufacturer as to which card is recommended and also look at your manual. That should tell you which cards are compatible.

Did you format the card prior to using?

No. Should I? I don't think I formatted my old card before first use but maybe this one needs formatting? I don't think my camera manual mentions this.

I went back and re-read the manual and it states that it takes up to a 32GB memory card. It doesn't specify brand or say anything about the "Ultra" technology being incompatible (although my camera is several years old and I'm sure that didn't exist at the time of manufacture).

I will contact Sony to see if the card should work. If it should, I will return it as perhaps it is a defective card.

[Photologyst]

Originally Posted by amy_bb

No. Should I? I don't think I formatted my old card before first use.

I went back and re-read the manual and it states that it takes up to a 32GB memory card. It doesn't specify brand or say anything about the "Ultra" technology being incompatible (although y camera is several years old and I'm sure that didn't exist at the time of manufature).

I will contact Sony to see if the card should work. If it should, I will return it as perhaps it is a defective card.

Typically all cards should be formatted because each camera uses a different firmware system. Try that first.

Do not ever erase your card or delete any pixs in the computer. Always format/erase in the camera.


Also, check with Sony as to which specific cards they recommend. They should have info on their website.

[amy_bb]

Originally Posted by Photologyst

Typically all cards should be formatted because each camera uses a different firmware system. Try that first.

Do not ever erase your card or delete any pixs in the computer. Always format/erase in the camera.


Also, check with Sony as to which specific cards they recommend. They should have info on their website.

I formatted the card in-camera and for now it seems to be OK (is at least recognizing the card and giving me a read of available space). I will bring it on my next shoot and see if it continues to work. Thanks for the head's up on deleting via computer. I've been doing it this way and didn't realize it could be a problem. From now on I will do all of my deletions/formatting with the card in the camera.

Love this place...learning so much every day!

[Photologyst]

Glad that it worked, Amy.

Should a card go bad remove it immediately. Do not take any other photos, as these may overwrite those that are already there.

The photos can be recovered via a recovery program. (All media will fail sooner or later.) There are tons of such programs around. Many are free.

Memory Card Photo Recovery Software for Windows and Mac