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The
part of the camera that stores the pictures comes in a variety of
shapes, sizes, and names. While most cameras have some form of built
in memory, it is not usually for storing images. The memory used
for storing images is removable memory. To lessen some of the confusion,
we will compare some of the different types of media.
Compact
Flash - These are thicker and come in two types. Type I is 3.3 mm
thick and Type II is 5.5 mm thick. They range in storage capacity
from 4 MB to 512 MB. They utilize an onboard controller chip and
this makes them thicker and heavier than Smart Media. This also
makes them less fragile but they are a high power drain.
Floppy
Disk or CD-R/RW - Sony has several cameras that can record photos
directly onto a floppy or a CD.
Memory
Stick - Developed by Sony, it is smaller than the Compact Flash
but has the same durability. It is a Sony proprietary product. Memory
stick comes in a variety of media types such as Magic Gate, which
offers copyright protection. It's capacity ranges from 8 MB to 1
GB.
MultiMedia
Card - It was developed to try and incorporate the best features
of Smart Media and Compact Flash. It's capacity ranges from 4 MB
to 128 MB and is a low power drain.
Smart
Media - This is a solid-state floppy disk card slightly larger than
a quarter (about 45 mm long by 37 mm wide). It comes in capacities
ranging from 4MB to 128MB and is only about 1 mm thick. Because
of their size they are less rugged than other forms of removable
storage, and they are also poorly shielded.
xD-Picture
Card - Developed by Fuji and Olympus it is the smallest, and one
of the fastest digital camera media cards. It is the approximate
size of a penny and weighs less than one-tenth of an ounce. Currently
storage capacity is from 16 MB to 256 MB with Fuji planning for
a storage capacity of 8 GB.
Regardless
of which type of media you choose, it is best if you use a memory
card reader or adapter to download your pictures. This will permit
you to transfer pictures without the use of your camera as well
as providing you with expansion capability.
Sources:
Sony Electronics, FUJIFILM, HowStuffWorks.com and B&H Photo-Video,
and Pro-Audio Inc. www.bhphotovideo.com. © Copyright 2003 by
B&H Photo-Video, Inc. All rights reserved. No use, including
electronic, permitted without prior written permission. Note - we
are in no way affiliated with any of the websites listed in this
article, nor do we derive any financial benefit out of your purchase
from them.
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