Digital camera storage reference
Modern digital cameras have an image resolution like fifteen megapixels, and produce image files up to ten megabytes in size. To store such images, compact storage media of a significant capacity is required.
Since it is not practical to put a CD, DVD, or a hard drive into the digital camera, because of either size or power consumption considerations, special type of the media was developed - memory cards (also known as flash cards). Memory card uses non-volatile memory chips for a storage.
Various memory card types are used by different manufacturers, with certain examples given in the table below.
| Card type | Physical dimensions | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Compact Flash type I or II | 43 x 36 x 3.3 or 5.5 mm | Up to 32 GB (CF-II) |
| Sony Memory Stick and variations: Memory Stick Duo Memory Stick Pro Duo | 50 x 21.5 x 2.8 mm 31 x 20 x 1.6 mm (Duo, PRO Duo) | up to 8 GB (MS Pro Duo) |
| Secure Digital (SD) and its variations: miniSD and microSD. | 32 x 24 x 2.1 mm 21.5 x 20 x 1.4 mm (mini) 11 x 15 x 0.7 mm (micro) | up to 32 GB (SD) up to 8 GB (mini- and microSD) |
| xD-Picture Card | 20 x 25 x 1.7 mm | up to 2 GB |
Note: capacities as of February 2009.
As always with an electronic equipment, a memory card, which packs massive amount of memory into very small space, requires careful handling:
- Do not remove the card from a camera while the camera is on.
- Do not subject the card to extreme heat or direct sunlight.
- Avoid electrostatic discharge. Memory cards are sensitive to electrostatic shock.
Continue to Avoiding loss of digital photos.