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| CompactFlash cards now represent the most widely used portable storage card standard for digital cameras. |
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The CompactFlash cards (CFs) introduced in 1994 are one of the memory systems on which data from digital cameras are saved. They are small, possess no mechanical components, are removable and offer the opportunity to quickly transfer image data to a printer or computer so that the cards can then be rewritten with new data.
The "Flash" technology employed requires - in contrast to computer RAM - no electrical current to keep the data permanently saved. The CompactFlash card can be easily removed from the camera while retaining the image data.
In contrast to SmartMedia cards, CompactFlash systems have a built-in controller; in a way, they have their own control electronics already on board. This makes it easy to use CFs even with constantly increasing memory capacities. SmartMedia cards, on the other hand, are dependent on the electronics of the camera, which cannot exceed a specific capacity limit depending on the model. For this reason, SmartMedia cards are also generally less expensive.
CompactFlash is currently available in two variants, which are differentiated by the Roman numerals I and II. Version II differs by way of a lightly higher thickness. IBM, for example, makes use of this for their MicroDrive in order to offer mini hard drives with higher capacity in CompactFlash II format. |
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