Another question that I am asked a lot is “How archival are camera cards”?
People wonder if they should fill up a camera card then store it and buy a new one. I was not sure so I contacted Sandisk and asked this question and the response is below.
Question:
How archival are your digital camera cards?
Answer:
Hello Mike, Thank you for contacting SanDisk Technical Support. It is our goal to make sure you have all the resources you need to get the most from your product. Let me assist you with your concern. The files/pictures can retain on the card for 10 years, without using the card again, meaning just for storing the card. If you are continuously using the card, like adding more and more pictures (when taking using the camera), please understand that there is no guarantee that those pictures are never going to be corrupted.
Data corruptions on the card can happen any time on all storage device, (Cards, Flash drives, MP3 player, and including the Hard Disk drive).
Should you have further concerns, please do not hesitate to reply to this message.
Best regards, SanDisk Technical Support
So I would say that it is still the best practice to get the images off the cards. Shoot, download to your computer then back-up and reformat the card.
If you do want to keep the image on the cards I would still download and back-up on a seperate storage device like a USB, external hard drive or even another camera card.
Then store the extra drives / cards in a safe place like a safety deposit box or at a friends house.
Camera Cards Archival?
The biggest issue with digital media, unlike film, is that it does not fade. It just corrupts! So if you take a card out in ten years and it is damaged that is it.
Be Safe…. PRINT!
I still say that the best way in addition to backing up your images is to print them. When they are printed you are not relying on technology to keep your images viable. I scan more prints than I do negatives or slides as people can find their prints. It is not perfect but it is better to have something to look back on even if it is fading a little.