Safely removing a SD card from a camcorder?

Jerry K wrote on 3/12/2015, 9:40 PM
Installing or removing a SD card safely?

I would never remove or install a SD card from any camcorder with the power on just like I would never pull out a flash drive from the computer until I first disconnect or turn the computer off.

Here's the problem.

I just bought a new Sony Handycam for my wife and the only way to turn it on is to open the LCD screen and the only way to turn it off is to close the LCD screen or remove the battery.

Now to access the SD card I need to open the LCD screen which means the camcorder will power up. Is it dangerous to remove or install a SD card with the power on? I would think so.

I looked through the Sony Manual and nowhere does it say anything about how to removing or installing the SD card.

Any answers on this problem would be appreciated.

Jerry K.


Comments

PeterWright wrote on 3/12/2015, 9:53 PM
I've never had problems removing or replacing a card with the camera on, but if you don't want to, you could remove the battery before opening the LCD screen.
Chienworks wrote on 3/12/2015, 9:58 PM
My camcorder has a 'memory card activity' LED on it. As soon as it stops flickering it's safe to remove the card. Zero errors ever.
Tech Diver wrote on 3/12/2015, 11:02 PM
"I would never remove or install a SD card from any camcorder with the power on"

Not necessarily, as it all depends on the camcorder. I have a JVC g-HM750 that has two SD cards that can be set to automatically switch to the other card when one gets full, at which point you can "hot swap" the first card for an empty one while you are shooting. This allows you to keep recording continuously ad infinitum as long as you keep giving it empty cards.

Peter
wwaag wrote on 3/12/2015, 11:30 PM
Jerry,

I have a Sony Handycam with the SD slot inside the LCD screen as well. Here's what I do. There is a Power Button inside once the LCD screen is opened. Simply, turn it off, then remove the card--unless your model doesn't have the Power Button. Like you, I have never removed the card with the Power On. Having to remove the battery seems ridiculous.

wwaag

In the options, you can also disable turning Power On when the LCD screen is opened, which I actually prefer for my application.

AKA the HappyOtter at https://tools4vegas.com/. System 1: Intel i7-8700k with HD 630 graphics plus an Nvidia RTX4070 graphics card. System 2: Intel i7-3770k with HD 4000 graphics plus an AMD RX550 graphics card. System 3: Laptop. Dell Inspiron Plus 16. Intel i7-11800H, Intel Graphics. Current cameras include Panasonic FZ2500, GoPro Hero11 and Hero8 Black plus a myriad of smartPhone, pocket cameras, video cameras and film cameras going back to the original Nikon S.

Chienworks wrote on 3/13/2015, 12:38 AM
"you can "hot swap" the first card for an empty one while you are shooting"

Mine has that feature too, except for some inexplicably weird reason the door is on the bottom and is covered up by a tripod plate. So, i can hot swap while hand-held, but not while mounted. I can't understand who thought that was a good idea. Although, considering how tiny the thing is there probably wasn't much other choice.
Jerry K wrote on 3/14/2015, 11:13 AM
Thanks for all the replies. It looks like removing or installing the SD card with the camcorder on is okay as long as nothing is being recorded to the card.

Jerry K.