Using digital cameras to take pictures has made the process of taking and seeing photos a lot easier, but there are still some essentials you need to know before you start shooting away. One of the most important factors within a digital camera is its memory. The memory is used to store your pictures and most of the time they are stored on a memory card. There are many types of many cards and understanding what each one is will help you learn more about your digital camera and cameras in general.
Compact Flash
The largest of the memory cards is the compact flash. About the size of a matchbook, the compact flash card is known for its speed and high capacity. The card has around 20 pin holes in the bottom of it to connect, read and send data. The card is commonly used in larger, professional cameras like the Canon Rebel XTi and the Nikon D80.
SD Card
The SD card, also known as the Secure Digital card, is one of the most popular media cards. It fits into multiple digital cameras and is usually blue. The back features 6 gold scanners to read the data. The card is used mainly for compact cameras, but high-speed versions of the card are compatible with semiprofessional Nikon products like the D40.
XD
One of the smallest media cards is the XD card. Its design is basically like the SD card, but it is half the size. XD cards are made exclusively for Fujifilm cameras and products, but the company's cameras also take SD cards now. The cards should be kept in the camera at almost all times because of its small size and sensitivity.
Types
Other media cards include the Sony Memory Stick or Memory Stick Duo. These cards are specifically made for Sony products like the PSP, digital cameras or even video cameras. Some cameras use built-in memory to store photos. You must go into the camera's menu to choose whether you want pictures stored onto the card or onto the camera itself.
Card Reader
To read pictures off of a memory card, you can connect a camera to a computer or use a card reader. A universal card reader is the best choice because its fits almost every card and, if you upgrade your camera, you will not need to purchase another card reader.
Tags: digital cameras, media cards, card reader, compact flash, data card
