Will the baggage xray for checked bags at the airport hurt the SD card in my digital camera?

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â™¥Kayleeâ™¥

Many people are worried that the airport x-ray machine will damage their cameraâ€™s memory or the memory cards. So far, there is little proof that airport x-ray screening machines can damage your cameraâ€™s memory cards and images. The airlines often warn about damage to film from x-ray machines not digital media.

Rather than being worried about x-ray exposure, some believe that digital equipment are more affected by magnetic exposure, particularly to the magnetic hand-held wands and metal detectors. Some also believe that you should avoid the drive motors of conveyor belts by placing your camera far away from the beginning of the belt.

If you are still worried about losing your images or damage to your camera, you can do the following for some peace of mind:

Backup your images on compact disk before you head to the airport.

Take out your memory card and put it in your pocket. Make sure the memory card is put in a protective sleeve to protect against static.

Ask the screeners to inspect your camera equipment without the use of x-ray equipment. Call ahead to see if your airline offers this service.

Invest in a good camera bag that offers small compartments for your digital camera media and camera. While it may not totally protect your camera from magnetic or x-ray exposure, it can limit any damage caused by any potential rough handling.

While the jury is still out on the amount of damage airport screenings can cause to your digital camera, having some common sense for protecting your digital camera and safekeeping your images is an important step any photographer should take.

- Hope this helps :-)
- Good Luck
- Alexandra

Karla A

Neither of the x-rays will hurt a digital camera or the memory sticks. Now, first don't put the memory stick in your pocket and walk through the metal detector, it's a huge magnet, second, all electronics have to go through the x-ray, which means all digital cameras.

mookie

I went with the no answer and my sd card got destroyed. Since then I got a special bag to put the camera in...kind of like the one you can get for film. I think I got mine at Longs...but a good camera shop will have them for sure. Don't take a chance like I did....lost my wedding pics !!

aarontwoa

I sent an email to kodak asking the same question. The said some machines will hurt the card and some won't. So to be safe just take the card out before you put it through the machine.

icac83

not at all. to be safe put in your pocket and show it to checkers.

virgilio costa

it's ok... the casing will protect it against the airport scanner

ineedacar

usually not but i would ask the guards there

peanutz

Not at all. The x-ray energy is good for object viewing only, much like photo.

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