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How to Recover Deleted Photos from Camera | 2025 Proven

Once photos are accidentally deleted from a digital camera, it can be very frustrating, especially when the images are irreplaceable. Many users may try using the system’s built-in recovery features or free photo recovery software, but the results are often limited. Besides, common deleted photo recovery methods frequently lead to issues such as file corruption or failed scans.

In fact, an easier and safer option to effectively recover deleted photos from a camera is available. In order to recover deleted photos without overwriting the original data or going through complicated steps, you need professional photo recovery software.

Fortunately, we don’t have to master technical knowledge to complete the recovery process. On this page, Kingshiper will introduce three professional camera photo recovery software that are all simple to use, safe, and reliable. Let’s get started.

You can also see: How to Recover Images from Memory Card

3 Prerequisites Before Camera Photo Recovery

I am unable to recover the photos I accidentally deleted from my camera, and I'm not sure if I'm doing it correctly. I’ve tried to retrieve the lost pictures, but after scanning, I either found no files or the recovered pictures were corrupted. — From a Reddit user

Before you can successfully recover camera photos, you need to check the following prerequisites. Only when these steps are properly addressed can you maximize the chances of a complete recovery:

  • Stop using the memory card immediately: The most important rule in data recovery is to avoid overwriting. Continuing to shoot, save, or delete files may permanently erase the original data.

Tip: As soon as you notice the photos are missing, set the memory card to "read-only" mode or disconnect it.

  • Ensure the memory card is free of physical damage: Recovery requires that the storage device can be properly recognized by the computer. If the card slot is damaged or the storage chip is faulty, hardware repair is needed first.

❗You can connect the memory card to your computer via a card reader to check whether it can be detected and accessed.

  • Use professional recovery software: DIY methods or unreliable software may cause further file corruption. It’s recommended to use camera-specific photo recovery software, such as Kingshiper Data Recovery, which can deeply analyze camera formats like RAW, CR2, NEF, and more.

Top 3 Camera Photo Recovery Software Free Download

When it comes to effectively recovering lost camera photos, selecting the right tool is crucial. To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of three top-performing camera photo recovery programs on Windows computers. Each of these options offers unique features to scan and restore a wide range of image file formats.

1Kingshiper Data Recovery

It is a comprehensive data recovery tool that offers more than just basic file restoration. This powerful software can help users retrieve photos, videos, and other important files from various storage devices and a wide range of data-loss scenarios. While primarily known for its ability to recover accidentally deleted files from local computers, Kingshiper Data Recovery is also optimized for deep scanning of camera files. It can detect and recover professional image formats such as RAW, CR2, and CRW.

Kingshiper Data Recovery

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Check more details of this photo recovery tool:

Compatibility: Support Windows 7/8/10/11

Interface: Clear, easy for beginners to use

Successful Recovery Rate: 99.8%

Powerful Data Recovery Features:

    ● Deep recovery for various data loss scenarios
    ● Recover accidentally deleted files or directories
    ● Recover formatted hard drive with folder structure
    ● Recover data from USB, memory card, or other external devices
    ● Recover deleted files from the recycle bin
    ● Recover files from lost partitions

What are the advantages of Kingshiper Data Recovery?

Compared with other image recovery options, Kingshiper Data Recovery has the following advantages:

  1. All-in-one Windows data recovery software
  2. One click to recover files, audios, videos, documents, images, etc
  3. Recover deleted and formatted images during scan
  4. User-friendly interface with preview functionality

If you are looking to recover lost photos from your digital camera or other devices with a higher success rate, download Kingshiper Data Recovery to get your file back in seconds.

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2Stellar Photo Recovery

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

A highly effective camera photo recovery tool, this software is designed to restore photos and videos that were accidentally deleted or lost due to formatting. It performs deep scans on your memory cards, supporting a wide range of camera brands and file formats, helping you quickly recover photos in formats such as CR2, CR3, and RAW. With Stellar Photo Recovery, users can easily preview recovery results to ensure the accurate recovery of the files they need.

- Upside: It boasts extensive compatibility with various devices and file formats, including high-resolution 4K/8K videos and RAW photos.

- Downside: Its scanning speed is slower compared to competitors, and the subscription-based pricing model increases long-term costs for users.

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3Recuva

Compatibility: Windows

Claiming to be a completely free photo recovery tool for the Windows platform, this tool allows you to locate and restore accidentally deleted image files from camera memory cards. The key feature of this software is its quick scan and deep scan modes, so you can recover specific file formats precisely while supporting a preview feature before recovery, making it a lightweight and practical choice.

- Upside: It supports various popular picture formats and storage devices with both quick and deep scan modes. In a word, it is a cost-effective solution for photo recovery.

- Downside: Recuva struggles with recovering newer RAW formats and offers limited technical support. It may also fail to retrieve files from severely corrupted storage media, and some users report inconsistent results with fragmented data.

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How to Recover Deleted Photos from Camera - 100% Safe and Working

If you want to recover accidentally deleted photos from your digital camera or extract image files from an unreadable memory card, the best choice is to use professional photo recovery software, which can deeply scan the storage device structure and retrieve deleted photos without losing any data.

Kingshiper Data Recovery

Official

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Here is how to use the deleted camera photos recovery software on a Windows PC:

Step 1. Install and launch Kingshiper Data Recovery on your computer.

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Step 2. Connect your camera’s memory card to the computer via a card reader, then select “USB/Memory Card Recovery” in the main interface and click the “Recover” button.

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Step 3. On the target device page, select your camera memory card and click “Scan.” The software will automatically start scanning your device.

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Step 4. After the scan completes, you can double-click any image to preview it and select the ones you want to recover.

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Step 5. Click the “Recover” button and choose a safe save location (do not save to the original memory card).

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What Steps Should I Follow to Prevent Accidental Photo Loss

As you now fully understand the importance and feasibility of data recovery, let's walk through the steps to prevent accidental photo loss from your digital camera. Developing good storage and backup habits is far more reliable than depending on recovery later, and even photography beginners can easily follow these steps. Follow these easy steps to reduce the risk of losing your photos:

Step 1. Transfer your photos to your computer or cloud storage after shooting, using the camera’s built-in Wi-Fi or a card reader, and set up an automatic backup schedule.

Step 2. Store important photos across multiple locations, such as your computer’s hard drive, external storage devices, and cloud services like Google Photos or iCloud. Maintain at least two copies on different storage media.

Step 3. Always safely eject your camera or card reader using the system’s “Safely eject your drive” option before disconnecting. Avoid removing the memory card directly during data transfer. If you need to format a storage card, make sure all important files are backed up first, and format it directly in the camera to ensure full compatibility with the device.

Step 4. Regularly use disk detection tools to check the health status of your memory cards and hard drives. Promptly replace storage devices that are aging or developing bad sectors.

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Recover Deleted Camera Photos on Windows FAQs

Got questions? Find answers to common concerns below.

Q1: What Causes Photo Loss from Cameras?

Photo loss often occurs due to accidental deletion, formatting of the memory card, corruption of the storage device, or improper handling during file transfer. In some cases, physical damage to the memory card can also make photos inaccessible. 

Q2: Can deleted photos from a camera be recovered?

Yes, you can! Recovering photos from a camera is very easy with a tool like Kingshiper Photo Recovery. It can deep search and scan your memory card and get your photos back with no quality loss.

Q3: Will the recovered photos be damaged?

Generally, no. Most photo recovery software usually lets you preview your files before recovering them. It's recommended to save recovered files to a location different from the original memory card to keep your data safe.

Conclusion

Recovering deleted photos from a camera is an essential operation to safeguard precious digital memories. Users need to prepare their storage devices, choose the appropriate recovery mode, and ensure the process is safe and reliable. By following the guidelines in this article and using a reliable tool like Kingshiper Data Recovery, you can easily retrieve accidentally deleted, formatted, or corrupted photo files while ensuring data integrity and security.

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