If a low level format is done (in error) can the photos be recovered? Tks

[John_]

Yes it is possible to recover all if not most of your pictures. There are some free programs out there and some that are free to try and will show you how much it will recover or allow you to recover only like 10 files and if you want the rest you have to pay. It depends how important the files are to you.

I went ahead and purchased a program called  Data Rescue PC3 and it worked very well for me recovering pictures I accidently lost by low level formatting like you did. It recovered them all for me, about 60 pictures.

It is important that you do not store anything else on it until you try and recoer the files first otherwise it could write over them. Then they are lost forever.

Most recovery software will work on all mediums like hard drives, SD cards, memory sticks etc..

[Mucktown123]

Thanks John this is the first positive news I have heard since I lost our most recent vacation pics. I am going to check out your suggestion right now. 😄

[John_]

Your welcome!

[Mucktown123]

Hi John - unfortunately the demo software was only able to locate the 3 photos that I had taken after performing the format before discovering that all the rest were gone. Thank you very much for you quick reply and suggestions. 😄

[cicopo]

Don't give up. I've recovered photos (for others) after worse than a format. Try this one.

http://www.transcend-info.com/Support/Software-4

[Mucktown123]

Thanks for the link.  No luck with this one either.  Guess I will have to take it to a photo or recovery specialist in the hopes that they have better luck and can scan deeper.:)

[gauravchauhan]

Hi, were you able to recover the photos by any chance? I am going through the same situation and urgently need some help. Please let me know. Thank you

[Peter]

After a low level format you will need to bypass the controller of the card.

If you on YouTube search for "data extraction after format sony 7AIII" you will understand what type of equipment that is needed.

Modern Sony cameras always low level format the cards to get the best write speed performance. With Canon you can at least choose.

If I were you I would just find a data recovery company in your area that knows how to perform this with a PC-3000.

[gauravchauhan]

Thank you Peter. I just checked on youtube and found a recovery service in my country. I am getting the assessment done from them. Hopefully I would be able to get the data back.