Computer Fundamentals Removable Media

The essentials of imaging

Current Removable Media • CompactFlash™ Card (Type 1 and Type 2) • SmartMedia™ Card • PC Card • Memory Stick™ • • CD-R • Multimedia Card • CLIC!™ Disk • SD

1 Computer Fundamentals Removable Media

The essentials of imaging

CompactFlash™ Card (CF Card) CF Card Type 2 Most camera manufacturers (e.g. Minolta, Canon, Storage capacity: up to 1GB Nikon or Casio) use CF cards. There are two IBM Microdrives are one example of different types of CF cards on the market, Type 1 Type 2 cards. They have a built-in and Type 2. Cameras that accept Type 2 cards can mechanism which is very similar to a also read Type 1 cards, but the reverse is not true. computer’s hard drive, thus increasing their memory tremendous- CF Card Type 1 ly. One drawback is their susceptibili- Storage capacity: up to 256MB ty to shocks. Another example of (and climbing) Type 2 cards are those which operate Type 1 cards are genuine like Flash Memory. Type 2 cards are CompactFlash cards without any thicker than Type 1. moving parts inside therefore making them shock Note: resistant. 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 2330 and Dimâge EX operate only with CF card Type 1.

2 Computer Fundamentals Removable Media

The essentials of imaging

SmartMedia™ Card PC Card (PCMCIA Card) Storage capacity: up to 128MB Storage capacity: up to 1GB SmartMedia Cards are made in two Few cameras accept PC Cards (one different voltages, 3.3 volts and 5 volts. example is the RD 175). Most PC Cards Today, most cameras employ are susceptible to shocks because of SmartMedia Cards with 3.3V. their built-in miniature hard drive. Another kind of Dirt and dust can affect the SmartMedia Card’s PC Cards which operate similarly to Flash Memory performance because the contact area is directly are more shock-resistant. accessible. PC Cards are larger and more expensive than CF (The Dynax 9 databack DM-9 operates with both Cards. SmartMedia voltages.)

3 Computer Fundamentals Removable Media

The essentials of imaging

Memorystick™ (Sony) CD-R (8cm diameter) Storage capacity: up to 64MB Storage capacity: 156MB recommended The Memory Stick™was™ Sony’s Mavica MVC-CD 1000 is equipped with a developed by Sony and works CD recorder. The needed blank CD-Rs (Compact- only with certain Sony cameras. One advantage is Disc Recordable) do not necessarily have to be that they are smaller than CF Cards. Some MP3 manufactured by Sony. Other commercially players also operate with the Sony Memory available CD-Rs will also do the job. Stick™. (The standard CD-R is larger!)

Floppy Disks Multimedia Card Sony’s Digital Mavica stores images on regular Storage capacity: up to 32MB floppy disks which are available virtually everywhere. Floppies are cheap but they hold only Multimedia Cards are similar to 1.44MB of data making them unsuitable for 2MB SmartMedia Cards but smaller. They cameras or more. Handling cameras which function were supposed to be the new standard with floppies can be rather awkward because in digital photography but the industry has not floppies are big, therefore making the cameras too accepted them yet. large and heavy.

4 Computer Fundamentals Removable Media

The essentials of imaging

Clik!™ Disks (New Name: PocketZIP™)

Storage capacity: 40MB The Clik disk was developed by .

SD Memory Card Storage capacity: currently 64MB Future standard for multimedia applications. These cards offer an effective way to avoid the unlawful use of copyright material (e.g. music business). Digital photography should make use of these cards in the future.

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