As a photographer, there’s nothing worse than realizing your precious RAW or JPEG files have vanished from your SD card. Whether it’s because of an accidental deletion, sudden formatting, or a corrupt memory card, it feels like a punch to the gut.
But don’t worry. Many free or low-cost apps can help you recover lost images without buying expensive enterprise software. We’ve narrowed the list down to five of the best SD/memory card recovery apps that photographers around the world love and trust.
TLDR: Forget breaking the bank for image recovery tools. Here are five awesome and affordable apps that help bring back deleted or lost RAW and JPEG files from your memory card. They’re fast, easy to use, and perfect for any photographer—whether you’re a beginner or a total pro. Don’t panic, your photos aren’t always gone forever!
1. Recuva
Platform: Windows
Best for: Beginners who want a simple, free tool for quick recovery.
Recuva from CCleaner is one of the most popular tools in the lightweight recovery category. It’s user-friendly and guides you through the recovery process step-by-step.
Why photographers love it:
- Simple wizard interface
- Supports RAW file formats (e.g., CR2, NEF, ARW)
- Free version is usually enough for basic recovery
You can also preview your files before recovery. This helps you avoid restoring unnecessary ones and focus just on those golden shots.
2. PhotoRec
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
Best for: Pros and tinkerers who want powerful recovery without visuals.
Don’t be fooled by the name—PhotoRec can recover more than just photos. It works on a wide range of file types and storage media.
Here’s what’s cool about it:
- Totally free and open-source
- Supports over 480 file extensions
- Recovers lost data even from severely damaged partitions
The catch? It uses a text-based interface. So if you’re not comfortable with command-line style tools, this might not be your favorite. But once you get used to it, you’ll see it’s super effective.
3. Disk Drill
Platform: Windows, macOS
Best for: Users who want a polished interface and powerful features.
Disk Drill makes data recovery feel less scary. It has a modern design and is packed with features that many photographers adore.
Why choose it?
- Supports RAW and JPEG formats
- Quick scan and deep scan modes
- Up to 500MB free recovery on Windows
They also offer a neat feature called “Recovery Vault” that protects against future data loss—kind of like a safety net for photographers!
4. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard
Platform: Windows, macOS
Best for: People who want a balance of ease and power.
EaseUS has been around for years and is known for how intuitive it is. If you’ve lost pics due to formatting, deletion, or system crashes, this little app is a lifesaver.
Here’s what makes it stand out:
- Recovers over 1000 file types
- Preview before recovery feature
- Free recovery up to 2GB (after sharing on social media)
Photographers especially love the filter options—it helps you quickly sort through different file types like RAW, JPEG, and even video formats.
5. MiniTool Photo Recovery
Platform: Windows, macOS
Best for: Straight-up photo recovery with no tech jargon.
MiniTool does exactly what the name suggests—recovers lost photos. Nothing flashy, just solid, reliable results.
Photographers choose it because:
- It focuses purely on images
- Compatible with most camera brands and formats
- Free version recovers up to 200MB of data
If all you care about is getting your photos back, without extras you don’t need, MiniTool is a clean and simple choice.
So, Which One Should You Pick?
Great question! It depends on your style and comfort level.
- Just deleted a memory card and need your pics back fast? Try Recuva.
- Comfortable with command lines and want deep file access? PhotoRec is your friend.
- Want a user experience as clean as your Lightroom edits? Go with Disk Drill.
- Need lots of file support and an easy interface? EaseUS has your back.
- Just want your photos, nothing more? MiniTool is perfect.
Some Quick Tips for Preventing File Loss
While recovery apps are awesome, prevention is even better. Here are some tips to keep your memories safe:
- Back up regularly: Always copy files to your computer or cloud ASAP.
- Format in-camera: Don’t format your cards on your PC. Let your camera do it.
- Stop using the card immediately if files go missing: This avoids overwriting files.
- Carry multiple smaller cards instead of one huge one: If one goes bad, others still have your work.
Final Thoughts
Photo recovery doesn’t need to be expensive or complicated. These five recovery tools prove that getting back your RAW and JPEGs is possible—even after the worst data disasters.
Every photographer should have a favorite recovery tool in their kit. You never know when you might need it. And when that moment comes, it’s a major relief to know you’re covered.
Happy shooting—and even happier recovering!