Canon Cameras use the CRW file format for storing images. These are RAW image files which save pictures without applying any in-camera compression to them. The files are stored on memory cards which are highly prone to corruption. The slightest mistake during the read-write process of the card causes corruption. Taking a back-up of the card data, i.e., the photos, videos, etc., is the best prevention for permanent data loss. These back-ups, however, are not always accessible to the user. In such situations, one should use a photo recovery software to recover lost or deleted pictures and videos.

For example, you have a new Canon camera, and you decide to change the memory card used in it. You pull out the memory card currently in use and replace it with a new one.

Later when you try to upload pictures from the old memory card, you find that all your pictures on it are inaccessible. You get error messages saying that the memory card is corrupt or that the card needs formatting.

Cause:

The above problem occurs due to errors during the read-write process of the data. When this process is interrupted mid-way, the card tends to get corrupted. This process could have been interrupted in several ways:

• When the card is pulled out from the camera while pictures are still being written to it.
• When the camera is on and the card is pulled out.
• When the camera is switched off immediately after clicking photos.

In all the above cases the read-write process gets broken off. This causes the photos thereon to become inaccessible.

Resolution:

The first thing to do when a card is giving trouble, and the pictures and files thereon are still accessible, is to back-up the data on it. This back-up should preferably be taken on another storage device and not the same one.

You can then try and format the card. After formatting the card, pictures, videos, and other data on it become inaccessible, you can use a photo recovery software to Recover Lost Photos. Not all software support CRW file, which are generated by Canon cameras.

While selecting the software to perform recovery, ensure that you select a trustworthy, well reputed tool. There are umpteen make-believe applications that damage the files while recovering them.

Stellar Phoenix Photo Recovery is a Photo Recovery Tool developed to safely recover photos from all kinds of storage devices—Memory Cards, External Hard drives, Digital Cameras, Computer hard drives, etc. The software works on both Windows and Mac OS. It supports all popular camera file formats; CRW, CR2, NEF, ORF, SR2, MRW, etc.