ChApter 2. digitAl workFlow
48 For more on textbooks in digitAl photogrAphy, visit http://www.photoCourse.Com
in-Camera image storage Devices...
With traditional cameras, the film both records and stores the image. With
digital cameras, separate devices perform these two functions. The image
is captured by the image sensor, then transferred to an in-camera storage
device of some kind. These devices are only designed for temporary storage.
At some point you transfer the images to a computer, erase the device, and
reuse it.
Almost all but the cheapest digital cameras use some form of removable stor-
age device, usually flash memory cards, but occasionally small hard disks.
The number of images that you can store during a shooting session depends
on a variety of factors including:- The number of storage devices you have and the capacity of each (expressed
in Kilobytes, Megabytes or Gigabytes). - The resolution or image file format used to capture images.
- The amount of compression used.
The number of images you can store is important because once you reach
the limit you have to move them to a computer, quit taking pictures, or erase
some existing images to make room for new ones. How much storage capac-
ity you need depends on the factors mentioned above and how prolific you
are when photographing.
There is an old set up line for a joke that begins “I have good news and bad
news.” The good news is that we have these memory cards at all, especially at
the prices they sell for. The bad news is that they come in a variety of formats
that are not interchangeable. Once you have a sizable investment in memory
cards, you are locked into using only cameras that support that format, or
you are forced to buy a new set of cards.
Over the past few years a variety of flash memory cards have come and gone.
At the moment there are two types in widespread use—Compact Flash (CF)
and Secure Digital (SD). These cards store your image files on flash chips
that are similar to the RAM chips used inside your computer but there is one
important difference. Your photographs are retained indefinitely without any
power to the card. These chips are packaged inside a case equipped with elec-
trical connectors and it’s this sealed unit that is called a card. Flash memory
cards consume little power, take up little space, and are very rugged. They are
also very convenient; you can carry a number of them and change them as
needed. - CompactFlash (CF) was developed by SanDisk Corp and these cards are
about the size of a matchbook. - Secure Digital (SD) cards are smaller and thinner than CompactFlash
cards and are used in many smaller cameras. - MultiMedia (MMC) cards are even smaller cards used in a few pocket
cameras.
The Kodak EasyShare
has 256 Megabytes of
internal storage that can
hold up to 1500 of your
favorite pictures so they
are easy to share. This
keeps them separated
from those you capture
and transfer to your
computer. You can
organize the pictures
into albums with a
stylus and touch screen
menus.
Most cameras store
images on a removable
memory card that
slides into a slot on the
camera. Courtesy of
Kodak.
Flash chips courtesy of
ST.com.
Samsung developed the
technology that makes
64 GB CompactFlash
cards possible.