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In traditional cameras, the film is used both to capture and store the image, while in digital cameras, separate devices perform these two functions. The image is captured by the image sensor, then stored on a built-in or removable storage device.
Nearly all new digital cameras use removable storage media, usually flash memory cards, but occasionally small hard disks, and even the floppy disk. Removable media allows you to remove one storage device when it's full and insert another (you can also erase photos whenever you want). The number of images that you can store in a camera depends on the following variables: 1) The capacity of the storage device (expressed in Megabytes). 2) The amount of compression used. 3) The resolution of the pictures. Only the number of storage devices that you have limits the number of pictures you can take. The number you can store is important because once you reach the limit you have no choice but to quit taking pictures or erase some existing. Removable storage Mainly consisting of flash memory cards and magnetic disks, these devices can be replaced with ease, thus making the capacity unlimited. Some features of removable storage devices are: They are erasable and reusable. They can be removed from the camera and plugged into the computer or printer to transfer the images. Easy to use and maintain. They are small and lightweight. As the popularity of digital cameras has increased, so has the need for small, inexpensive memory devices. Some of the leading types of image storage devices in digital cameras are: 1) Flash memory cards Flash memory uses solid state chips to store image files. Even though flash memory chips are similar to the RAM chips (used inside personal computers) there is one major difference. They are not volatile i.e. they don't loose images when the power is turned off. Pictures are retained indefinitely without any power to the flash memory components. These chips are packaged in a sealed unit and have electrical connectors to interact with the camera. The major benefits of flash memory cards are that they take up little space, consume little power, and are very rugged. Types of flash cards Flash memory cards come in a variety of formats that are not interchangeable. Until recently, most flash cards followed the standard PC Card (PCMCIA) format that is widely used with notebook computers. However, with the growth of the digital camera, a number of smaller formats have been introduced. As every manufacturer wants to be different, cameras supporting a confusing variety of incompatible flash memory cards have immerged. Each of these formats is supported by its own group of companies and has it's own following. Some of the important formats are:
The copyright of the article DIGITAL CAMERAS- Image Storage in Consumer Electronics is owned by Asif Iqbal. Permission to republish DIGITAL CAMERAS- Image Storage in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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