Do and Don'ts for memory cards

Read/Write to a Card Every Year
Cards left inactive for too long are more prone to data corruption and loss.

Always Format in the Camera
Always format a memory card in your camera. Formatting a card in a computer likely will result in data corruption or loss.

Always Use a Card Reader
When copying your images to a computer, use a card reader instead of connecting your camera to the computer. It will be faster and less likely to corrupt the data.

Use Multiple Smaller Capacity Cards
You don’t want to use large volumes of images if you break or misplace a card. Use smaller capacity cards and then archive them as backup when full.

Always Use a Backup
Have a backup system so you can back up your memory cards in the field.

Don’t Mix Cards and Cameras
Don’t use one memory card in two different-model camera bodies. Doing so increases the chances of data corruption and loss. Use separate cards in separate cameras.

Say NO to the microSD™ Adapter
Don’t use the microSD adapter to fit microSD™ cards into a full-sized SD™ camera slot. They are not designed to handle that much data throughput and will likely corrupt your data or lose the image. microSD™ cards should only be used natively in phones, tablets, action cameras, and drones.