Maximum normal cluster size for FAT16 is 32KB which, at 64K maximum
number of clusters, leads to 32KB x 64K = 2GB maximum disk size.
Windows NT did allow a 64KB cluster size which allows a FAT16 disk to
get up to 4GB but it is considered non-standard. A 64KB cluster size
would be considered very inefficient for the many small files found on a
typical home computer but is actually very efficient for storing large
image files and would likely speed up the camera's image writing.
However, since it's non-standard your camera won't format the card that
way but may operate fine if you've pre-formatted the card on your
computer using 64KB clusters.
To do it you'll have to use the format command and force the cluster
size since Windows won't do 64KB clusters unless explicitly specified.
FAT32 typically uses very small clusters (4KB) but has the ability to
use lots of them. It makes for efficient storage of small files but a
lot of unnecessary overhead for large image files. That's why you'll
see performance fall off a bit when using 4GB and larger cards compared
to 2GB cards.
Chuck Norcutt
Moose wrote:
> Jez Cunningham wrote:
>> Sounds like a tricky problem for the man in the street who could easily
>> exceed 511 pictures on his point-and-shoot (especially as cards get bigger).
>> Do regular memory cards (as opposed to USB sticks) come ready-formated with
>> FAT32?
> Depends on size and probably type. Up to 2GB CF and SD cards come
> formatted with FAT16. 4GB and up are FAT32. xD Cards aren't up to the
> size to need FAT32 yet. If they ever do, you can be sure Oly will do
> something weird with the formatting.
>> Do P&S cameras format memory cards using FAT32?
>>
> Depends on the camera and card. Older cameras often won't do FAT32,
> newer ones do. It's easy enough to tell. If the camera works with SDHC
> cards and/or CF cards of 4GB and above, it can do FAT32, but will still
> format smaller cards as FAT16.
>
> To use the CHDK add-on software for the A650 on a 4BG SDHC card, I have
> to format it using FAT16. The format command gives a warning about
> non-standard cluster sizes, but the card works fine in camera and computer.
>
> Moose
>
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