MEMORY CARDS

What do you need to know about
Memory Cards?

Memory Cards are where your photographic images are stored, once a digital picture is taken. We will focus on exploring two specific areas of this topic:

• What is it?

• Why is it important (in my selection of a digital camera)?

Memory cards describe a category of different types of memory that can be used in digital cameras. Currently, the three most popular types are non-interchanageable:

• Compact Flash (CF) are the most popular type of memory and are used in most current Canon and Nikon models (plus many others). They are available in sizes up to 2GB

• Secure Digital (SD) are physically smaller (approximate footprint of a postage stamp) and are very popular especially in smaller cameras.

• Memory Sticks are a proprietary brand for use in Sony cameras, and are currently availble in sizes up to 1GB.

The obvious answer is that your digital camera is useless without them. Without any means to keep the images you shoot, it is the same as shooting without film in the camera (which I have done, by the way).

Most current digital cameras will not work without a card inserted in its slot. This is a good thing. Verify that your camera has this feature.

If cost is a critical factor, do some research on the price/megabyte of compact flash verses secure digital memory. The difference won't be large, but there will be one. If cost is critical to you, the lower cost memory may determine the type of camera you purchase. (For the most part, any specific model will only work with one type of memory card.)

The Sony memory stick poses a personal dilema for me. I like Sony products in general, and they make cameras with attractive features, but I dislike the fact that you are forced to buy their memory. At least compact flash and secure digital cards are manufactured by many sources.

The first question an owner asks after buying a digital camera is typically: "Where did I park my car?" This assumes the purchase was made in a shopping center, of course. The next question is usually: "What size memory card should I use?"

Unfortunately, this is one of those "it depends" answers. Considerations are: convenience, budget, risk of damage, etc. As a starting point, use this chart to determine the approximate number of files you can fit on different sized memory cards...

Megapixel Camera	32MB	64MB	128MB	256MB	1GB
2MP	35	71	142	284	1107
3MP	26	53	106	213	830
4MP	16	32	64	128	499
5MP	10	21	43	86	360

As you begin to accumulate memory cards, you might consider adopting the following tips:

• Keep them out of intense heat or cold

• Never get them wet

• Never remove them from your camera while the card is in process of saving an image

• Turn off the camera before loading or removing any cards

• Buy a protective container for your cards. There are both soft wallet-type designs as well as rigid metal containers

• Memory is always going on sale by someone, so watch for rebates & coupons

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