Most digital cameras have a small amount of built-in memory. Many have 16, 32, or even 64 megabytes of memory built into the camera itself. But if you plan to take more than a few photos, you also need a removable storage device, usually referred to as a memory card or memory stick.
Consult your camera owner’s manual to determine which type of memory card your camera uses and be sure to buy only that type of memory card for your camera.
Some cameras will accept more than one type of memory card. For example, my 10-megapixel Canon compact camera accepts SD, SDHC, MMC, MMC Plus, and HC MMC Plus memory cards.
Memory cards come in many different storage capacities, from a few megabytes to several gigabytes. The larger the storage capacity, the more images the card can store. Having a 4-gigabyte memory card will allow you to take several hundred photographs at high resolution (lots of megapixels) without filling up the card. Very convenient.
Preventing damage to memory cards is important. Although some cards are damaged by events over which you have no control, you should take some precautions to protect your cards.
When not in your camera, memory cards should be stored in the little plastic case they came in when they were purchased—or in some other storage container made specifically for holding memory cards.
This protects the metal contacts from being scratched, bent, or otherwise damaged, and protects them from dirt or other contaminants that might compromise their ability to function properly.
Be sure that memory cards are not stored or carried near a source of magnetic or electromagnetic energy. Magnets can corrupt the data on the card.
