When putting the memory card into my canon powershot sx20 is i am getting a memory card error

• try to format / initialize the memory card using your camera functions

Try another new memory card, if it continues to give you an error go to the main menu and look for FORMAT, some times you need to format the card so the camera can recognize the new card.

Try formatting the memory card using the camera's Menus - format memory card.

buy a new card..

Yes, the SX20 IS will support SDHC cards up to 32GB in size.

It is possible that the card reader software is corrupt within the camera controller unit. If there is any connecting cord which can be used to connect the camera to your PC, then try this tip. Remove the battery and reinsert. connect the camera to be detected, now use a virus scan on the new hardware, if there is any detection remove the error from the memory
If this wont work then it is possible that the card reader connection within is faulty, might have to remove to take a good look inside.
Otherwise do not tamper but a camera tech to have a good look rather than tampering with poor tools.
I was not able to get your chat line but I hope this helps.

Have you tried wiping your memory cards completely? The formatting may have gotten messed up somehow so the camera can't recognize them. I would also check the contacts on both the camera and the cards to make sure they are free of dust. It could also be a problem with the cards themselves, but I find it hard to believe that they would both fail simultaneously; just to make sure, buy a brand new SD card and see if that works (it doesn't have to be big, you can probably pick up a 1 GB card for less than $10). If all of that fails, there's a pretty good chance that your card reader is bad. Considering that your camera is brand new, you should have no trouble sending that in for a warranty repair.

Make sure the slide switch on the side of the card is unlocked. Your camera may just want you to format the card in the camera. Download any pics from it first using a card reader if necessary.

Yes.

It might just want you to format the card in the camera. This will completely erase it so download any pictures from it first.