Storage options

     Early generations of digital cameras had fixed storage inside the camera. You needed to connect the camera directly to a computer by cables to transfer the images. Although most of today's cameras are capable of connecting to a serial, parallel, FireWire or a USB port, they usually provide you with some sort of removable storage device built right into the camera body.

     There are a number of storage systems currently used in digital cameras:

• Built-in memory - Some extremely inexpensive cameras have built-in Flash memory.
• SmartMedia cards - SmartMedia cards are small Flash memory modules.
• CompactFlash - CompactFlash cards are another form of Flash memory, similar to but slightly larger than SmartMedia cards.
• Memory Stick - Memory Stick is a proprietary form of Flash memory used by Sony.
• Floppy disk - Some cameras store images directly onto floppy disks.
• Hard disk - Some higher-end cameras use small built-in hard disks, or PCMCIA hard-disk cards, for image storage.
• Writeable CD and DVD - Some of the newest cameras are using writeable CD and DVD drives to store images.

     In order to transfer the files from a Flash memory device to your computer without using cables, you will need to have a drive or reader for your computer. These devices behave much like floppy drives and are inexpensive to buy.

     Think of all these storage devices as reusable digital film. When you fill one up, either transfer the data or put another one into the camera. The different types of Flash memory devices are not interchangeable. Each camera manufacturer has decided on one device or another. Each of the Flash memory devices also needs some sort of caddy or card reader in order to transfer the data.