Storing Digital Images

How do I store my digital images?
What's the difference between the different types of memory cards/sticks?

Digital images are stored on a digital recording media until they are downloaded from the camera or camcorder to the computer. There are several types of recording memory (or recording media) typically used for digital cameras: CompactFlash™, SmartMedia™, Memory Stick™, and SecureDigital / MultiMedia Card (MMC). There are other less common formats such as 3½" 1.44MB diskettes, 3" CD-R disks, and PCMCIA cards.

CompactFlash, SmartMedia, Memory Stick, and SecureDigital have the advantage of offering various memory sizes. 3½" disks are no longer commonly used, as the maximum memory available (1.44 MB) severely limits the number and quality of pictures which can be stored.

• CompactFlash (CF): There are two types of CompactFlash memory cards available.
• Type II: Type II CompactFlash cards can be used with multiple brands and types of devices and offers the highest maximum size of the memory types. Cameras with Type II slots can take either CF Type I or CF Type II.
• Type 1: Type 1 CompactFlash cards can be used with multiple brands and types of devices. While they have a higher maximum size than SmartMedia cards, they are more limited in memory size than Type II CompactFlash. Cameras with Type I slots can only work with Type I cards, not Type II.
• SmartMedia (SM): SmartMedia cards can be used with multiple brands and types of devices. While they have a smaller maximum size than CompactFlash cards, they are also generally cheaper than CompactFlash cards.
• Memory Stick (MS): The Memory Stick was developed by Sony® and offers a range of sizes and applications. However, it is typically only used with Sony® products. Once only made by Sony® , Memory Stick is now also offered by other manufacturers.
• Secure Digital (SD) and MultiMediaCard (MMC): Secure Digital and MultiMediaCards are very similar in size and shape and can often be used interchangeably, though not always. This format is very small and becoming very popular.
• PCMCIA Cards: Short for Personal Computer Memory Card International Association, PCMCIA cards come in three types, with Type II and Type III being the most common.
  • Type I: up to 3.3 mm thick
  • Type II: up to 5.5 mm thick
  • Type III: up to 10.5 mm thick
• 3½" Disk: This was an early form of recording memory used in some cameras. It had the advantage of easy connectability; however, the memory limitation was a significant drawback. It was usually found on cameras offering a lower resolution.

Digital Camcorders:

The standard recording media for digital camcorders is digital video tape (commonly called DV tape). This is an industry-standard recording tape format which can be used by any camcorder which uses this standard. Due to the size of digital motion video files, digital camcorders do not typically use other types of recording memory. The exception to this is some camcorders use a flash memory card for storing digital still images..

When comparing memory types, you should compare the maximum memory available to the amount of memory you are likely to use, the cost of the memory cards and whether you have other devices which use the same card. Consider the resolution, or MegaPixels, of the camera or camcorder you will be using when purchasing a memory card. At higher resolutions, images take up a considerable amount of space due to the high quality of the images. Thus, the higher your resolution, the more memory you will likely need.

Once you have downloaded the images to the computer, they can either be stored on the computer's hard drive or written to a CD using a writeable CD drive. This latter method allows you to keep from using up large amounts of drive space on images. Most image packages included with digital photography equipment have some form of catalog feature, which allows you to organize and easily locate your images.

Hyperlinks:

• RadioShack On-line Catalog: Digital Photography Memory
• RadioShack On-line Catalog: DV Tape