Digital Cameras : A SearchMeSilly Guide

Every digital camera will have at least one method of storing data. Early generations of cameras had fixed storage, although most nowadays will support some form of removable memory.

• Built-in memory - Some of the low budget cameras will come with Flash memory built-in.
• SmartMedia cards – They are Flash memory cards which are usually 3-4cm in width and can store up to 128MB of data. The flash card fits into a floppy disk style casing which acts as an adapter allowing the images to be transferred to the computer and other devices.
• CompactFlash – Another removable Flash storage device, similar to SmartMedia cards and about the size of a matchbook. They are more durable and have storage capacities of up to 1GB.
• Memory Stick - Sony’s own brand of Flash memory is available in sizes ranging between 4-128MB. As a method of transferring pictures, sound and other data, it’s currently used in many of Sony’s products including video recorders, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), digital audio recorders, as well as digital cameras.
• Floppy disk - Some cameras use the simple method of storing images directly onto floppy disks. At 1.44MB they offer less storage capacity than other types, but are cheap and readily available. This solution naturally requires the disk to fit the camera, resulting in a heavier, more unwieldy machine.
• Hard disk - Some higher-end cameras use small built-in hard disks, or PCMCIA hard-disk cards, for image storage. A PCMCIA is about the size of a credit card and can hold between 5MB and 1GB. There is also the IBM Microdrive which can hold between 340MB and 1GB and fits into a CompactFlash II slot.
• Writeable CD and DVD - Some of the newest cameras are using writeable CD and DVD drives to store images. CDs have a capacity of about 800MB and you also won’t need any form of converter.