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Storage Space

The storage space on digital camera varies from model to model. Generally, the feature is expressed in MB (megabytes) of RAM of storage. Sometimes, a manufacturer will express the storage space in the number of pictures the camera will hold in low or high resolution. Typically, a 16 MB card can hold 20 pictures at high resolution, though this will vary from camera to camera (depending on the number of megapixels the camera can take). When purchasing a camera, 64 MB is the minimum recommended amount of memory to fulfill the average needs. If you camera doesn't have this memory standard, you should take into account an extra card purchase cost. We currently use a 512MB card in our 5 megapixel camera - anything less just won't hold enough pictures for our needs.

Method of Storage

There are several methods by which a camera can store the pictures you take. These range from regular old floppy disks to removeable media that can be plugged into laptops or card readers.

Floppy Disks allow for an easy removeable media which can be plugged into your Macintosh or PC and read directly. There are very few (if any) floppy disk cameras left on the market. CompactFlash and SmartMedia are removeable types of media that are popular in older cameras. CompactFlash cards are more durable than SmartMedia, so those should be preferred over SmartMedia cards. When purchasing, ensure the camera comes with a memory disk, or you may be stuck purchasing cards to hold your pictures.

Fuji cameras have a standard called xD which is about the size of a stamp. Sony cameras use MemoryStick as their standard memory type, but most cameras use Smartmedia or CompactFlash.

Some cameras have nonremoveable storage, which once you run out of memory, you will have to delete pictures or transfer them to your computer before you can take more pictures. This is the least wanted kind of storage, though most of the cheaper digital cameras save pictures this way.