topic Re: “memory card error” in Point & Shoot Digital Cameras

“memory card error”

momjoanne — Sat, 19 Mar 2016 21:38:12 GMT

Memory card error for SD 16 GB brand new camera took 159 pics. Checked the slot on memory card it is in correct spot. Memory card runs fine in our MAC . What can I do. When I try to format on camera the " format " on the menu is greyed out and we cannot access Any ideas ? momjoanne

Re: “memory card error”

Jason — Sat, 19 Mar 2016 23:12:15 GMT

Hi!

Welcome to the Canon Forums and thanks for your post!

To have a better understanding of your issue, please let everyone know the camera model you are using.

Thanks!

Re: “memory card error”

John_ — Sat, 19 Mar 2016 23:17:32 GMT

I would try a new SD card 16GB cards are fairly inexpensive, a spare is good to have and by trying a new card it could narrow down the problem to either the old card or the camera.

Also if you have a windows pc try reformatting it in that and then try it in your camera

Re: “memory card error”

Peter — Sun, 20 Mar 2016 11:32:05 GMT

Try to low level format in your computer. Use Fat32.

Re: “memory card error”

momjoanne — Sat, 26 Mar 2016 18:41:36 GMT

my camera is the Canon Power Shot SX 530 HS. I have now purchased a new m emory card and still am getting the " memory card error. So it definately is the camera. I have to say this is a little frustrating Brand new camera and first vaca since I received it and yah no pics because of this error !!! GREAT What do I do now???

Re: “memory card error”

AlfredoGH — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 02:45:13 GMT

I am having the same problem with the same Camara Model, @MomJoanne was there a solution? Could you solved this problem? Did you received an answer from Canon?

Re: “memory card error”

AlfredoGH — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 02:46:58 GMT

Did you solved this problem??? I have the same issue with the same Model.

Re: “memory card error”

John_ — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 01:14:20 GMT

wow that really is a bummer! Yes 2 different cards same error means it's your camera.

There is a very very slim chance the lock switch is moving when you insert the card that can cause it too and you'd get a card locked error...I dont think I saw you mention a card locked error message

There's not much you can do becuase you'll have to send your camera back to either where you bought it or to Canon.

And now I see another person has the same problem

Re: “memory card error”

John_ — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 01:12:30 GMT

wow that really is a bummer! Yes 2 different cards same error means it's your camera.

There is a very very slim chance the lock switch is moving when you insert the card that can cause it too and you'd get a card locked error...I dont think you mentioned seeing a card locked error message.

There's not much you can do becuase you'll have to send your camera back to either where you bought it or to Canon.

And now I see another person has the same problem

Re: “memory card error”

metsgirl4 — Sun, 27 Nov 2016 13:37:26 GMT

I just bought my Powershot sx530 hs on Black Fri. I'm having the same error message with a brand new card.

Re: “memory card error”

metsgirl4 — Sun, 27 Nov 2016 13:38:49 GMT

Do you have to format the card before you use it? If so how do you do that on the camera. The Owners manuel isn't very helpful with this & a few other things.

Re: “memory card error”

John_ — Sun, 27 Nov 2016 15:23:29 GMT

Yes go to yor settings menu the one with the hammer and wrench symbol then look down the list to Format. Select that and proceed to format the card. If you cannot select it because it is greyed out, unselectable, then I would strongly suggest sending that camera back for a return since yours is brand new.

Re: “memory card error”

Julie31 — Fri, 01 Jun 2018 13:42:01 GMT

I realize this is really late, but I just had a very similar issue. Brand-new camera, brand-new memory card, but I would get a "Memory card error" message in the top part of the camera screen as soon as I turned on my camera. This meant that I also couldn't take any pictures. I realized it was because I had gotten the wrong kind of memory card. The package I received has 2 memory cards, one large adapter for laptops (which is also the size required for the camera), and a smaller memory card which actually stores the memory. My issue was that I was using the adapter in the camera, because it is the correct size, but it wasn't working because there wasn't actually any memory on it. I hope you were able to solve your problem!!

Re: “memory card error”

Waddizzle — Sat, 02 Jun 2018 11:16:17 GMT

@Julie31 wrote:
I realize this is really late, but I just had a very similar issue. Brand-new camera, brand-new memory card, but I would get a "Memory card error" message in the top part of the camera screen as soon as I turned on my camera. This meant that I also couldn't take any pictures. I realized it was because I had gotten the wrong kind of memory card. The package I received has 2 memory cards, one large adapter for laptops (which is also the size required for the camera), and a smaller memory card which actually stores the memory. My issue was that I was using the adapter in the camera, because it is the correct size, but it wasn't working because there wasn't actually any memory on it. I hope you were able to solve your problem!!

It sounds like you have only one memory card, not two. The smaller card must inserted into the adapter. You should only use a full size SD card from a major manufacturer. I use SanDisk Extreme 32 GB cards in my DSLRs.

The micro-SD cards are unreliable when used with an adapter. Only use micro-SD cards in devices that use them directly, without any adapter.

Re: “memory card error”

JasonWardStudio — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 17:38:07 GMT

I have the same camera model. As a real estate appraiser, I use it a lot, hundreds of pictures every week a lot. I have been using it with a Sandisk micro SD card inserted into the SD adapter it came with. it has been fairly reliable, but I do get this "Memory Card Error" message on occasion while I'm at a property. Now that I've had it more than a couple a times, I plan to replace it with a full size SD card.

But! I have resolved the issue each time by removing the memory card and adapter from the camera, removing the Micro card from the adapter, reinserting it and removing it from the adapter a couple of times, then inserting and removing and reinserting the adapter and card into the camera a couple of times. It is likely a contact issue with the Micro card and adapter. I'm not saying this is a perfect solution, but if you're in a pinch and need the camera and card to work right now, this might get you over that hurtle. This solution may also work with a full size SD card too, but repeated messages could mean a problem with the card or worse, card slot on the camera.

Re: “memory card error”

John_ — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 17:52:24 GMT

Just to concur with what some others have said using a micro SD card in an adapter can cause problems. I too have used those many many times and only have had 1 memory card error. Using a full sized card is best and reliable.

Re: “memory card error”

Fabio77 — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 21:31:16 GMT

Hello is this post still active? I'm getting the same message on the Canon powershot 530 hs "memory card error" any solution yet? And what do you guys mean by using a full sized card? Like it has to be 32 pluss GB?

Re: “memory card error”

Tim — Wed, 15 Apr 2020 00:37:46 GMT

momjoanne,

I understand you are seeking support for your PowerShot SX530 HS.

For support on this product, please call 1-800-652-2666 and follow the prompts for Technical Support. Agents are available during the following times. All times EST, excluding holidays.

Cameras - PowerShot -- 1-800-652-2666 Monday-Friday: 9:00 am to 9:00 pm