The terms format or erase confuse people, some software, like the lexar card software uses erase to write all zeros to the card which basically makes files unrecoverable unless you are NSA. It takes a very long time to run. Format will let you recover files but you may lose the original file name. A low level format is more serious, the data is there, but the indexes to the files are gone.
There are lots of software recovery programs, Lexar software is no longer available for download after selling the business to a Chinese company, but Sandisk Rescue Pro deluxe is very good and available here. It works for various card brands.
SanDisk® RescuePRO® Offer Please use the links below to download the version of RescuePRO® that matches your license key / serial number: RescuePRO® PC RescuePRO® MAC RescuePRO®SSD PC RescuePRO®SSD MAC When you launch RescuePRO® for the first time, you will be prompted to enter your license...
www.lc-tech.com
I have a stack of free keys for it that come when I purchase a Sandisk Card(free for 1 year). Beware of sites trying to fool you about this, get it from the official site. you can link to it from the Sandisk site. Its available for windows or mac.
Send me a message and I'll photocopy the key card and send it to you. It has a unique serial number and can only be used once. The key is for Sandisk Rescue Pro Deluxe.