How to Format Memory Cards on the Nikon D7500

There are two methods to formatting the memory card on the Nikon D7500. One of them is obvious; one of them is less so.

Nikon D7500 Memory Card Format Shortcut
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Filed Under: DSLRs, Memory Cards

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One of the fundamental and probably among the first functions you’ll do on the Nikon D7500 is format the memory card. It’s always a good idea to do this in the camera because it reduces the risk of something going wrong.

There are two methods to formatting the memory card on the Nikon D7500. One of them is obvious; one of them is less so.

Method 1: Using the Menu

  1. Press the Menu button on the back of the camera.

     

  2. From the left panel of icons, scroll down to the wrench (spanner) icon. (If it’s grayed out, check that you’ve actually inserted the memory card.)

     

  3. Choose the top option: Format Memory Card. Highlight that and hit the OK button (or press to the right).

     

Nikon D7500 Format Memory Card  1
  1. Choose Yes from the popup menu. As a safety precaution, it will default to No. With Yes selected, press the OK button.
Nikon D7500 Format Memory Card  2

Method 2: Using the Button Shortcut

There’s actually another way to do it. It’s quicker, but there’s a bit of a trick to it that isn’t self-evident the first time you do it. Here’s how it works.

First, find the ISO and the trash can buttons. You’ll notice there are two small, red FORMAT icons next to them.

Nikon D7500 Memory Card Format Shortcut
Nikon D7500 Memory Card Format Shortcut

There are two tricks to using these. The first is to use them together, simultaneously.

  1. Press both of the red Format buttons together and hold them down for a couple of seconds until the top LCD screen shows a flashing ‘For’ (for format). If you have the back screen on you’ll also see that flashing “FORMAT”.
  2. Release the buttons.
  3. Here’s the second, less obvious, trick: you have to push them both again together. If you push one or the other or wait too long, you won’t format anything. You don’t need to hold them in this time—it reacts immediately.

If you want to cancel the process without formatting, press any other button or the shutter. It will also cancel automatically if you haven’t selected anything within five seconds.

How to Recover Photos if You’ve Accidentally Deleted Them

If you format the card before you’ve downloaded them, it might still be possible to recover them. To do that, you’ll need to fire up the computer–it’s not something that you can do in the camera. I’ve put together an overview on how to recover deleted photos from a memory card here.

Where to Buy the Nikon D7500

Price & Availability of the Nikon D7500

It’s sold in a variety of configurations, from the body only to bundles with kit lenses and accessories.

Buy New

Check the current price and availability of the Nikon D7500 DSLR at:

Nikon D7500 DSLR
  • 20.9MP DX-Format CMOS Sensor
  • Native ISO Range: 100 – 51200
  • Extended ISO Range: 64000 – 1640000
  • 8 fps Shooting for Up to 100 Frames
  • EXPEED 5 Image Processor

Buy Used

Images and product information from Amazon PA-API were last updated on 2023-09-30 at 23:59. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon Site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

David Coleman / Photographer

David Coleman

I'm a professional freelance travel photographer based in Washington DC. Seven continents, up mountains, underwater, and a bunch of places in between. My images have appeared in numerous publications, and you can check out some of my travel photography here. More »

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