Digital Camera Memory Card
How to Choose a Digital Camera Memory Card
digital camera memory card
Most digital cameras come with very low capacity memory cards that are enough to take a few sample photos, but not enough for day-to-day use. You should need an extra memory card to store a number of images if you take a lot of pictures. In fact, there’s more to choosing the right memory card than knowing the proper type for your digital camera.
Below are some important points to consider when choosing a digital camera memory card.
Compatibility
Until now, there is no universal memory card to fit all digital cameras. The types of digital camera memory cards differ in size and are not interchangeable. Before buying a new digital camera memory card, you’ll need to find out which type is compatible with your camera.
The best way to find it is by reading the camera’s manual. Usually, the card format should be specified in a chapter titled “storage” or “memory card compatibility”.
The most common types of digital memory cards are SD (Secure Digital), CF (Compact Flash), xD (Extreme Digital), MS (Memory Stick), SM (Smart Media) and MMC (Multi Media Card).
Storage Capacity
Storage capacity is measured in megabyte (MB) or gigabyte (GB). The storage capacity of memory card you purchase will depend on your photography needs as well as your budget. The higher the storage capacity, the more images you can store into your digital camera memory card. 2GB cards are common these days.
How many memory cards you should need
You may have a question in mind, “Is it better to have one 4 GB card or two 2 GB cards?” It also depends on your needs. For many, one large-capacity memory card will be good since they don’t have to stop shooting to change the card. But, others prefer smaller cards because they feel like they’re not putting all of their eggs in the same basket.
Write Speed
The faster your memory card speed, the faster your camera can write images to the card, and the quicker you can take another photo. Instead, with a low-speed memory card, even taking a single photo could slow your camera down and you could potentially miss a lot of precious moments.
When buying memory cards, you will see ratings like 80X, 133X, 266X, or perhaps 8MB/second, 20MB/second or 40MB/second. As a suggestion, it is better to look for a card that has at least a 9MB/second or 60X rating.
Final Note
However, before buying a digital camera memory card, it is better to do a little research. Make sure that the card you choose is compatible with your best camera and is made by a recognized manufacturer.
Other posts you may be interested in reading: Fujifilm Digital Camera and Digital Camera Bags
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