Memory Card Capacity for Nikon P4

That camera should handle SD,SDHC and SDXC memory cards. Small cameras do not typically show capacity. You shoot until it is full. One way to test the capacity is to take a long movie. My larger DSLR will tell me how many shots I can store with the current resolution. My Coolpix cameras do not show this information.

You don't say whether this is a new card or one you used before. I'm going to assume this is a new card (otherwise, it means the card has become corrupted or there is a camera fault).

You say it is an SD card, but don't mention the capacity. "SD" cards larger than about 2GB are actually SDHC cards. SD and SDHC cards fit the same slots, but they are slightly different electrically. Many cameras won't work with SDHC (high capacity) cards. SDHC is not backwards compatible.

I expect your camera just won't work with this kind of card. It is often difficult to find out the maximum capacity memory card a camera will use, as today's cards are much larger that those available when the manual for the camera was written, but as a rule, if the memory size is larger than the largest size mentioned in the manual, you should expect trouble. You can always carry several smaller cards if you really need more space.

Maybe it is having trouble with the size of the memory. Memory cards have grown enormously in capacity in the last couple of years, and even relatively new cameras may not be able to cope with the memory size of the newest cards. It is often difficult to find out the maximum capacity a camera will use, as today's memory cards are much larger that those available when the manuals for the camera was written.

Maybe it is having trouble with the size of the memory. Memory cards have grown enormously in capacity in the last couple of years, and even relatively new cameras may not be able to cope with the memory size of the newest cards.

SD and SDHC cards fit the same slots, but many cameras won't work with the SDHC (high capacity) cards. SDHC is not backwards compatible.

yes you would. It can inly accept 1GB cards. Just as a tip large capacity cards make it slow to recover from a write after taking a pic so if you can get say 512K cards still use those they recover from writing a lot faster

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Do you have any reason to doubt the manual? If the manual doesn't specify SDHC, then I wouldn't bother trying any but stay with SD only.

It is too big. 1G is max for the 3100.

4GB requires FAT32. Camera firmware only supports FAT16. 4GB won't work because FAT16 has a 2GB maximum size limitation. 1GB CF card is Nikon's "approved" maximum for this camera.

Catch: 22 1GB -and lesser capacity- CF cards are no longer manufacturered or generally available in 2010. When the current CF card dies, the still working camera also becomes throwaway unless you can source a CF card 1GB or under. 2GB may work, but with 'issues' per caution below.

CAUTION: Anecdotal evidence suggests the final release -& current- firmware for cameras of this generation is also encumbered by with a maximum picture number limitation of 999, realistic at the time of original manufacture when 256MB was a the largest capacity CF card but completely nonsensical now.

Summary: This is my first NIkon Digital camera and also my last.

Apart from the noteriety of the ubiquitous broken Nikon plastic battery latch, a major design flaw Nikon refuse to acknowledge or accept liability to rectify -since self-repaired better than OEM, Nikon policy on firmware support is complete abandonment of product within an unacceptably short service window. ie: a deliberate poilicy of enforced obsolescence.

Suggested Problem Remedy: Do buy a new camera supporting SD Cards of current capacities. Don't buy anything branded Nikon.

Back up all the pictures on the card and then format the card.. Everything will be back to normal.
Note: While formatting select FAT32 file system as it is more reliable..

probably the maximum is 2 GB, but normally with firmware upgrade u can use larger then that.