What's the best format for SD/CF cards in the axim?

[coach_ng]

Fat or Fat32?

I know one of my digital cameras would always reject my CF cards in Fat32 so I've basically been keeping it to FAT in my axim.

I'm not sure if my new Canon SD400 can take FAT32 but which is the best for performance in the Axim?

[Inertial]

I haven't really tried FAT32. I have 2GB and 1GB Pro/Elite CF cards and have formatted them as FAT16 with StorageTools. Both work fine in my Canon PowerShot A75. I also haven't noticed any performace issues in the Axim.

[0gopogo]

FAT16 without backup FAT.

Some programs e.g. SK Tools can format 64k clusters i.e. allow to format 4GB cards with FAT16. This may be non-standard but neither WinXP nor the x50v complain. My Kyocera camera accepts 1GB cards (16k clusters) but rejects FAT16-formatted cards using 32k (2GB) and 64k (4GB) clusters. It can use the 2GB card if I let the camera format the card. However that results in RAW format.

Regarding FAT16/32, see Menneisyys' article.

[axzilla]

if your card is larger than 2 gigs then you must use fat 32

[0gopogo]

Not quite. Like you I thought that one could not have a FAT16 with greater than 32k clusters. But I learned that some programs e.g. Storage Tools or SKTools can format FAT16 with 64k clusters. See attached screen shot. The info shown is for my 4GB Transcend SD card.

[coach_ng]

ok, I have four cards I use regularly. would leaving them in FAT be fine or would I notice any difference with FAT32
Lexar 1GB and Corsair 1GB SD's
PQI 1GB and Kingston Elite 2GB CF's

[0gopogo]

Leave them in FAT especially if your share the cards with other devices e.g. a camera. FAT32 is only needed with larger cards, and slower than FAT.

[coach_ng]

Leave them in FAT especially if your share the cards with other devices e.g. a camera. FAT32 is only needed with larger cards, and slower than FAT.

Many thanks!

[EngrPaul]

With FAT32, you won't run into a limitation of the file allocation table (as in, not being able to fill the card). However, everytime you save a file it's at least 32KB. It's wasteful and slower because even if you save a 0.5 KB file it uses 32KB of flash space. So if you're using a 512 MB card or smaller, it probably makes no sense using FAT32.

[davarei]

Dumb question?
I didn't format either of my cards. I just load through the synch.
Is the only reason that I'd want to format them so that I could use with something other than my AXIM. ie. the digital camera or card reader on my laptop?

[EngrPaul]

Most digital cameras can handle FAT32 just fine. If they cannot they will probably say the largest flash card it can handle is 2GB.

If your biggest concernt is how the card will perform in the camera, FORMAT THE CARD IN THE CAMERA. Use the low level format setting if your camera gives you a choice.