Camera say memory is full but wont let me format.

This is quite common with either used memory cards or cards that have been used on other devices before.
It is what happens when the memory card has been stocked with many system files that even when connected to a computer, are most likely not to be seen.
In this case, there are very easy steps you can take.
First of all, you have to check if the camera has a format function that can be used to format the memory card. If it does, you can format the memory card using the function. This would help you wipe out all the hidden system files on it and also leave the card in the file system that the camera recognizes.
On the other hand, the camera may lack this feature, if it does, you can connect it to your computer and format it using my computer.
Below is how to format the card using my computer.
1. Connect the card via the camera or any other means.
2. Once the computer detects it, you can open My Computer and locate the memory card there as an external device.
3. Right-Click on the memory card and select format.
4. Select quick format and wait for it to finish.
After the format, you can now use your memory card efficiently with your camera and be sure that it would take much pictures.
Hope this was helpful?

Hello,

is there anything important in the internal memory? not many pictures can fit there so I suppose probably no?

Format the memory.

Use setup mode to set the camera configurations to suit your personal preferences. Turn the mode dial to SET Mode. And select "Format"

Use the format option to format the camera memory or memory card.

Note: When you format the memory, all data will be deleted.

Now take a few pictures and see if they show up in the view mode or if you are able to get them to the computer. Let me know how that turns out.

This kind of problem is mostly associated with cards that have been used previously or that have had some sort of formatting before.
The problem you are encountering is this, the card is full with system files that are mostly hidden. Majority of these files are usually log files that keep a record of all the activities the card might have undergone since it began usage.
The only thing you can do to solve this problem is to format the card suing your computer. Formatting the card would help you get rid of previously existing log files and would free up space for new pictures to be stored.
If this doesn't solve your problem, then you may be having a faulty card.
On the issue of having full internal memory, if you have the option to format your internal memory, go ahead.
If you don't change the default save location to the memory card if one is available.
Let me know if you need any assistance with formatting your card.

I'm going to assume these picture files are in the camera internal memory? if so you may not be able to access them as a "file" my suggestion would be to get a Memory card for your camera and load each picture file from the internal memory to the memory card, unfortunately this needs to be done one at a time. If this is not the case (as the pictures are on a memory card not internal memory) then you need to first make sure the camera has sufficient power for the transfer. shut the camera off connect your USB cable to the computer and the camera and turn the camera on. The camera should show up as an external device or mass storage device. You are then able to open this file to thumbnails copy and past them into a new folder created in your "My Documents". Once done eject/safely remove device DO NOT just unplug the cable. Once it's safe to disconnect the USB cable then do so and remove it from the camera. You are not done yet, now you need to format the memory card to clean the Memory card and make ready for new picture files. An added note, if you are going to use a new memory card first format it in the camera even though it's new formatting makes the new memory card compatible with your camera operating system. Cheers Have fun

Format the SD card make sure the camera is set to place the new files on the SD card and not go to the internal memory. What I fully expect is the camera has defaulted to using the internal memory which is now full of files/pictures and needs to be set back to SD card. To get the pictures from the internal memory to your computer you need to load the pictures one by one from the internal memory to the SD card. Then take them from the SD card ether to a card reader to the computer or download them from the camera to the computer.

hi, there's a problem in your memory card and you need to do first is format the memory card into camera (if its ok to you to delete all the picture save in memory card). If the problem still occur you need to buy new memory card.

thank you and good luck my friend

You need to get a memory card and promise to never use the internal memory again....it only causes problems as you have found out. When you get the new card follow this procedure: 1. With no card in the camera, go into the menu and find "format" and follow the on-screen instructions to format the internal memory. 2. Insert the new card and do the format thing again to prepare the new card. Happy photography!

Hi.

Enter main menu, scroll down to "Setup Menu" and then navigate to "FORMAT". Simply format your internal or external memory, and thats it.

Hi Eric with new cameras they usually have to be formatted before any pictures have taken I dont know what kind of camera you have however the format button can usually be found under options. But formating your camera should cause your memory to jump up, if that doesnt work you may have to buy a memory card for it, these are called SD cards and they are usually not very expensive on Ebay around 12 dollars for one Gig.

Check the card to make sure it isn't "locked". SD cards have a tiny switch on their side which write protects them. If the card is "locked", then the camera can't write to it. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Secure_Digital_Kingston_512MB.jpg for a picture of the locking mechanism. If this is not the problem, you can try reformatting the card. Although you can format it in your computer, it is much better to format it in the camera itself, since they are often finicky about the formatting details.