Portable photo storage devices
Bridges and links
If you already own a compatible storage device, such as a thumb drive, a portable hard drive, or a USB MP3 player, one of the little gadgets listed below can provide a cheap way to turn it into a portable photo storage device. You'll have only the most rudimentary features, and you won't be able to view your images on the device. On the other hand, these bridges and links are extremely compact and lightweight. Just make sure you do a test transfer to make sure all of your gadgetry is working in concert before taking one of them on vacation.
| Description | Pros and cons | Performance and specs |
Delkin USB Bridge
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Pros: Connects cameras to storage devices directly via USB; compact; inexpensive; file-transfer verification function; uses convenient power source
Cons: No display |
Transfer time: N/A (see note on how we test below)
Battery life: N/A (see note on how we test below)
Weight and size: 3.4 ounces with batteries; 3 by 2.5 by 0.75 inches
Compatible input devices: USB mass storage or PTP devices with the FAT12/16/32 file format
Compatible output devices: Most USB mass storage devices with the FAT12/16/32 file format; CD-R/RW (ISO 9660); external disk drives; USB thumb drives; memory card readers; USB MP3 players
Display: None
Power supply: Two AA batteries |
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Belkin Digital Camera Link for iPod
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Pros: Connects cameras to iPod directly via USB; compact and stylish; inexpensive; file-transfer verification function; uses convenient power source
Cons: No display; not compatible with iPod Mini |
Transfer time: N/A (see note on how we test below)
Battery life: N/A (see note on how we test below)
Weight and size: N/A
Interfaces and supported camera media: USB-A connection to camera; supports all mass-storage DCF-format and PTP-compliant cameras
Display: None
Power supply: Two AA batteries |
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Belkin Media Reader for iPod
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Pros: Connects camera memory card to iPod directly; compact and stylish; inexpensive; uses convenient power source
Cons: No display; no file-transfer verification function; not compatible with iPod Mini |
Transfer time: N/A (see note on how we test below)
Battery life: N/A (see note on how we test below)
Weight and size: N/A
Interfaces and supported camera media: CompactFlash Types I and II; SmartMedia; SD/MMC; Memory Stick
Display: None
Power supply: Four AAA batteries |
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Transfer time: In our transfer-time test, we download 486MB of data, which includes 76 image files of various types and sizes, from a 512MB SanDisk Ultra CompactFlash card in a SanDisk ImageMate 6 in 1 card reader to a 512MB SanDisk Cruzer Titanium thumb drive.
Battery life: In our battery-life test, we fully charge the indicated batteries, then run our transfer-time test (above) repeatedly until the battery dies.
Battery life: In our battery-life test, we fully charge the indicated batteries, then run our transfer-time test (above) repeatedly until the battery dies.
