My Nikon D3200 keeps needing to reformat memory card. Why?

Question

I reformatted my card when I got he camera (and it's a new card), but randomly in the middle of photo shoots, it tells me I need to reformat again. I've lost so many pictures because of this. I even got a new card, and it does the same thing. Is it the cards or the camera? Could the camera have a bad reader?
I need to know if I should try and get a replacement camera or just keep getting frustrated for the rest of it's life? Or just buy a recovery program for the cards?
Ideas?

Answer 1

That is not normal behavior for that camera model. You tried another card, so that rules out blaming the card. Unless you were doing something like using super-crapo brand, or were using a micro card in adapter.



If it is still returnable under the store policy, get exchange or refund. If that has expired, you need Nikon warranty service.

Answer 2

I suspect one of the contacts in the card socket is bad. It might be fixable for less than the camera value. I would carry a couple of spare cards with you and change them rather than reformatting; that way you can get the existing photos onto a pc

Answer 3

Try Asoftech Photo Recovery Tool. It can Recover Photos Lost Due to

Accidental deleting



» "Shift + Del" without backup



» "Delete All" when deleting not-so-good photos



» Delete pictures instead of saving by accidentally pressing wrong button



» Emptying Recycle Bin without backup



Formatting



» "Media/Drive is not formatted would you like to format now?"



Virus infection/attack

Unexpected power off

Other reasons



» Factory setting of device

» Losing photos during transferring photos from storage device to PC/laptop

» Pulling out card while the camera is on

» Turning off the camera during a write process



http://www.asoftech.com/articles/fix-memory-card-not-formatted-error.html

Answer 4

I agree, call Nikon. Could be a contact or reader problem... only they can tell you for sure. Then you'll be in for repairs.

Answer 5

claim under warranty if you can it sounds like the camera. as someone else said the contact may be damaged.

Answer 6

Talk to Nikon.

Answer 7

You may try this guide which I find useful

http://tinyurl.com/card-not-formatted