There are two ways to format memory cards in the Nikon D850. One requires menu diving. The other is a dedicated physical shortcut designed specifically for working quickly in the field.
Before we get to the steps, it is worth establishing the golden rule of memory card management: always format your memory cards in the camera they will be used in, not on your computer. Formatting in-camera ensures the D850 builds the exact folder hierarchy and file system it expects, significantly minimizing the risk of directory corruption and card errors.
Here is how to execute both methods.
Method #1: Using the menu
This is the standard, visual method using the rear LCD:
- Press the Menu button on the top left of the back panel.
- Navigate down to the Setup Menu (the wrench icon).
- Scroll to Format Memory Card and press the right side of the directional pad.
- Select either the XQD or the SD card. You must format them one at a time.
(Note: The D850’s menu system will always refer to the primary slot as “XQD,” even if you are using a CFexpress Type B card. More on that below).
Method #2: The two-button quick format
The D850 offers a much faster hardware shortcut that allows you to format a card without ever opening a menu.
Look for the two buttons on the camera body marked with a small red “Format” label.
Top Panel: Located near the shutter release and ISO button.
Rear Panel: The Delete button (trash can icon) on the top left.
Here is the exact sequence to use them:
- Initiate the Format: Press and hold both red Format buttons simultaneously for about two seconds.
- Check the Top LCD: Look at the small control screen on top of the camera. The letters ‘For’ will begin flashing. The active memory card slot indicator and the exposure count will also blink.
- Select the Card: If you have cards in both slots, the camera defaults to whichever you have designated as the primary slot. To switch to the other card, rotate the Main Command Dial (the rear thumb dial) while ‘For’ is flashing. You will see the tiny card icon change on the top LCD.
- Execute: Once the correct slot is blinking, press both red Format buttons together one more time. You do not need to hold them this second time; the camera will format the card immediately.
If you initiate the sequence by mistake, simply half-press the shutter or wait five seconds, and the format prompt will automatically cancel.
Things worth knowing
CFexpress Compatibility & The “XQD” Label
The Nikon D850 features one SD card slot and one XQD card slot. However, if you upgrade your camera to firmware version C:1.20 (released in December 2020), that XQD slot becomes fully compatible with much faster CFexpress Type B cards. Even after the upgrade, the camera’s legacy menu interface will continue to label the slot as “XQD.” I have more details on that here and a guide to checking and updating the Nikon D850’s firmware here.
Managing Dual Card Slots
You have complete control over how the D850 writes to those two slots. Depending on your workflow, you can set them to function as sequential overflow (switching to the second card when the first fills up), redundant backup (writing the same file to both cards simultaneously), or format separation (sending RAW files to the CFexpress card and JPEGs to the SD). I have a more detailed post on that here.
If you ever need to transfer files in the field without a computer, you can also copy from one memory card to another in the D850. I have a post on how to do that here.
No In-Camera “Full Format” Option
It is worth noting that the D850 only performs what’s known as a quick format, regardless of which method you use. It clears the file directory so the card appears empty, but the underlying data remains intact until overwritten by new photos. Unlike some other systems, the D850 doesn’t offer a “Low-Level” or “Full Format” menu option. If a card is throwing errors or lagging and needs a true multi-pass overwrite to restore performance, you will need to use your computer’s formatting utilities first, then perform a final in-camera format to rebuild the folder structure.
HI!
How long should it take to format the SanDisc 128GB Extreme ProCFexpress Card Type B in my new Nikkon 850?
It should only take a few seconds. Like most cameras, the D850 does the simplest and quickest version of formatting, which essentially just wipes the file allocation table and replaces it with a new, blank one. It doesn’t perform a more thorough scrub that takes far longer. So it shouldn’t take more than a few seconds.
If it is taking longer than that, the first thing I would try is to reformat it with a computer and card reader. Once that completes, try again in the camera. Sometimes that does the trick, but even if it doesn’t fix it, the computer formatting should tell you if there’s a problem with the memory card itself.