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How to Format a Memory Card in the Sony a6000

A guide on how to format memory cards in the Sony a6000 camera to free up space and to prepare the memory card just the way the camera wants it.

Sony a6000 format memory card 4 1068x601 - How to Format a Memory Card in the Sony a6000

Categories: Memory Cards, Mirrorless Cameras
Tags: Sony, Sony a6000 Mirrorless Camera
Last updated about 2 years ago // Originally published about 3 years ago

Once you’ve downloaded all of the photos from a memory card in your Sony a6000 and saved them in a safe place (with a backup, of course), it’s time to delete the photos from the card to free up space for new ones.

While you could, technically, delete them individually use the delete button (trash can icon), that’s an awfully slow and tedious way to do it. A much better way–and, as it happens, a safer one, too–is to format the memory card.

On the Sony a6000’s menu system on the back screen, you’ll find the Format item under page 5 of the tab with the toolbox icon.

Sony a6000 format memory card menu

Formatting the memory card deletes all the data on it (although it might still be recoverable). So when you click on that option, you’ll be asked for confirmation.

Sony a6000 format memory card 2

It’ll then take a few moments to format the card, giving you an orange progress bar.

Sony a6000 format memory card 4

Once it’s done, it’ll return you to the main menu automatically.

What to Do if You Accidentally Format Your Memory Card

Despite the extra confirmation step, it can still happen that you realize too late that you didn’t really want to format the memory card. In theory, your images are gone. But in practice, it might still be possible to recover them.

The first thing to do is to stop using the memory card. You don’t want to be writing anything else to it if you can help it. Then it’s time to break out some data recovery software. There are several available, and while they all do similar things, they do it in different ways. Some are free, and some are paid, although many of the paid ones have a trial version that at least allows you to see what’s recoverable and then decide whether or not to buy a license so that you can actually do the recovery.

I’ve put together a roundup of the best software to recover deleted photos here.

How to Format SD Cards on a Computer

It’s always best practice to format memory cards in the camera you’re going to use them in, but if that’s not possible or not what you want to do, you can also format cards using a computer. But there are some things to know when formatting SD cards to minimize the risks of your camera having problems with them. So I’ve put together guides on how to format SD cards on Mac and how to use the free SD Card Formatter app for Windows or Mac.

By David Coleman
Instagram: @havecamerawilltraveldc

Last updated on December 21, 2018

Categories: Memory Cards, Mirrorless Cameras
Tags: Sony, Sony a6000 Mirrorless Camera

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News & Deals

With the holidays fast approaching, there’s some great deals on photography gear and services available. I’ve put together a roundup of Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2020 Photography Deals. It’s a running list as new deals are announced, so be sure to check back.

Canon announces new EOS Rebel T8i DSLR. Canon has announced their new T8i DSLR. 24MP APS-C cropped CMOS sensor, 4K24 video, and updated image processing and detection systems. It’s available for preorder from B&H Photo.

New Firmware for the Ricoh GR III. Ricoh has release firmware v1.31 for the GR III. Release notes are: “Corrected — When shooting with the multiple exposure, in rare cases the live view may not display correctly. Improved stability for general performance.” You can download it here.

New Canon 1D X Mark III Pro DSLR Announced. Canon has announced their new flagship model of pro DSLR, the 1D X Mark III. They’re sticking with a 20.1MP CMOS sensor, but it’s a new and improved version and boasts an incredible native ISO range of ISO 100 to ISO 102400 and an extended range that goes up to a jaw-dropping ISO 819200. With revamped autofocus, a new image processor, and all sorts of other bells and whistles, it’s no wonder that Canon is billing it as “The Ultimate EOS.”

New Manfrotto Pro Rugged Memory Cards. Manfrotto, an Italian probably best known for their tripods and studio accessories, has launched a new Pro Rugged range of high-end SD, microSD, and CompactFlash cards. While they don’t have a huge selection of sizes and speeds, the cards are aiming for very fast cards that can put up with rugged demands. For instance, they claim that their V90 rated SD cards can withstand three times the force (20kg / 45 lbs) of a regular SD card. I’ve ordered some to run through my speed tests.

New Sony Alpha a7 firmware released. A firmware update for the Sony a7R IV now lets you control external Sony flashes from the camera’s own menu system. Up to 15 flashes in five groups can be controlled via the camera. It also applies to the a7R III and a7 III.

Comments

  1. CarolAnn McIntire says

    January 16, 2020 at 3:25 pm

    Should new cars be formatted before use in a6000 Sony camera

    Reply
    • David says

      January 18, 2020 at 1:55 pm

      Yes, it’s always good practice to format the card in the camera. That lets the camera set the card up exactly how it likes and expects to minimize any issues.

      Reply

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I take photos. I travel. I do it for a living. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between.

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