Using SD for archiving original versions of files?
 

I'd like to archive original versions of photo images after they are transferred from the camera's card to my hard drive. So, I want SD not to alter any file on the destination, no matter what has happened to a file on the source.

If I'm understanding SD's copy options correctly, it doesn't seem SD can do this.

Either Erase then Copy or Smart Update will copy or delete a file on the destination if it has changed or been deleted on the source.

Copy Newer will overwrite on the destination if the file date on the source is newer than on the destination. Copy Different will overwrite on the destination if the file on the source has changed (size, metadata, etc.).

Am I correct about this, or am I missing something about how SD can work?

You are correct. We're going to copy based on the various selections, and no selection is "do not copy if this exists on the destination".