The essentials of imaging

Computer FundamentalsRemovable Media

Current Removable Media

• CompactFlash™ Card (Type 1 and Type 2)

• SmartMedia™ Card

• PC Card

• Memory Stick™

• Floppy Disk

• CD-R

• Multimedia Card

• CLIC!™ Disk

• SD Memory Card

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The essentials of imaging

Computer FundamentalsRemovable Media

CompactFlash™ Card (CF Card)Most camera manufacturers (e.g. Minolta, Canon,Nikon or Casio) use CF cards. There are twodifferent types of CF cards on the market, Type 1and Type 2. Cameras that accept Type 2 cards canalso read Type 1 cards, but the reverse is not true.

CF Card Type 1Storage capacity: up to 256MB (and climbing)

Type 1 cards are genuineCompactFlash cards without anymoving parts inside therefore making them shockresistant.

CF Card Type 2Storage capacity: up to 1GB

IBM Microdrives are one example ofType 2 cards. They have a built-inmechanism which is very similar to acomputer’s hard drive, thusincreasing their memory tremendous-ly. One drawback is their susceptibili-ty to shocks. Another example ofType 2 cards are those which operatelike Flash Memory. Type 2 cards arethicker than Type 1.

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Note:

The DiMAGE 7, DiMAGE 5 and RD 3000 operates with either CF card Type 1 or Type 2 (RD 3000 and IBM Microdrive only up to 340 MB)

The DiMAGE S304, Dimâge 2300, Dimâge 2330and Dimâge EX operate only with CF card Type 1.

The essentials of imaging

Computer FundamentalsRemovable Media

SmartMedia™ CardStorage capacity: up to 128MB

SmartMedia Cards are made in twodifferent voltages, 3.3 volts and 5 volts.Today, most cameras employSmartMedia Cards with 3.3V.Dirt and dust can affect the SmartMedia Card’sperformance because the contact area is directlyaccessible.

(The Dynax 9 databack DM-9 operates with bothSmartMedia voltages.)

PC Card (PCMCIA Card)Storage capacity: up to 1GB

Few cameras accept PC Cards (oneexample is the RD 175). Most PC Cardsare susceptible to shocks because oftheir built-in miniature hard drive. Another kind ofPC Cards which operate similarly to Flash Memoryare more shock-resistant.

PC Cards are larger and more expensive than CFCards.

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The essentials of imaging

Computer FundamentalsRemovable Media

Memorystick™ (Sony)Storage capacity: up to 64MB

The Memory Stick™™ wasdeveloped by Sony and worksonly with certain Sony cameras. One advantage isthat they are smaller than CF Cards. Some MP3players also operate with the Sony MemoryStick™.

Floppy DisksSony’s Digital Mavica stores images on regularfloppy disks which are available virtuallyeverywhere. Floppies are cheap but they hold only1.44MB of data making them unsuitable for 2MBcameras or more. Handling cameras which functionwith floppies can be rather awkward becausefloppies are big, therefore making the cameras toolarge and heavy.

CD-R (8cm diameter)

Storage capacity: 156MB recommended

Sony’s Mavica MVC-CD 1000 is equipped with aCD recorder. The needed blank CD-Rs (Compact-Disc Recordable) do not necessarily have to bemanufactured by Sony. Other commerciallyavailable CD-Rs will also do the job.(The standard CD-R is larger!)

Multimedia CardStorage capacity: up to 32MB

Multimedia Cards are similar toSmartMedia Cards but smaller. Theywere supposed to be the new standardin digital photography but the industry has notaccepted them yet.

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The essentials of imaging

Computer FundamentalsRemovable Media

Clik!™ Disks (New Name: PocketZIP™)

Storage capacity: 40MB

The Clik disk was developed by Iomega.

SD Memory CardStorage capacity: currently 64MB

Future standard for multimediaapplications. These cards offer an effectiveway to avoid the unlawful use of copyrightmaterial (e.g. music business). Digitalphotography should make use of these cards in thefuture.

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