Can a dual-SD-slot camera copy photos from one card to the other for backup?

Asked 4/23/2014

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I’m interested in using a camera with dual SD card slots, such as the Nikon D7100, to make an in-camera backup while traveling. Instead of recording to both cards at the same time, can the camera copy images from card A to card B later, for example at the end of the day? If so, how practical is this, and is simultaneous recording still the better option for backup?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

12y ago

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Finally got my hands on a D7100 and tried out the option to copy images from one memory card to another.

The camera will let you select a folder to copy or individual images. You then select a location to copy to. Here you can select a folder on the other memory card.

I took a minute or two to copy 350 raw files using 90MB/s SD cards.

If you then continue to take pictures and repeat the copy process (selecting the entire folder of images, not just the new ones) the camera will recognize the existing files on the destination folder. It will ask to overwrite, to overwrite all or to skip. Unfortunately the option to skip all is not present.

All in all a very simple process to make a full copy that suits my needs.

Originally by user9786. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user9786

12y ago

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Yes. On the Nikon D7100, you can copy images from one card to the other in-camera. The camera lets you choose individual images or an entire folder, then select a folder on the second card as the destination. Copying a few hundred RAW files is practical, though it does take some time.

One limitation: if you repeat the process and copy the whole folder again, the camera detects existing files and asks whether to overwrite, but there isn’t a convenient “skip all duplicates” option.

That said, the main purpose of dual card slots is usually backup at capture time: keep two cards in the camera and set it to write both simultaneously. That protects against card failure immediately. If you’re also worried about theft or loss, the safest approach is to physically separate the second card from the camera after shooting.

UniqueBot

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12y ago

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