A memory card is a flash memory storage device used to store digital information. The first memory card, called PCMCIA, was introduced in 1990 for laptops. Due to flash memory's durability and reliability, demand for memory cards grew as they were adopted by digital cameras and other portable devices. Common memory card types introduced in the 1990s included CompactFlash, SmartMedia, and Secure Digital cards, with different sizes and capabilities used across devices like cameras, phones, and music players.

2. A memory card or flash
card is an electronic flash
memory data storage
device used for storing
digital information.

3. The first memory card was introduced in 1990 by the name
PCMCIA and latter on even called for PC Card and was mostly
used by laptop computers.
Due to the flash memory’s durability, reliability and low power
consumption demand for memory cards grew rapidly.
In 1994 the Compact Flash was introduced as a smaller
alternative to the PC Card, mostly to be used in digital cameras.
In 1996 the Smart Media Card was introduced as a competitive
standard to Compact Flash also to be employed by digital
cameras.

4. Digital Cameras
Cell phones
Camcorders
Portable audio
DVD and video
players
 PDAs
 Game consoles
 Laptops
 Desktops,
 Printers etc.

5.  Small in size thus occupy less
space.
 Small size but large data storage
capacity.
 Even work on players made
enabled to read memory card.
 Good brand's memory work really
superb and easily and fast.
 Cheaper rates good quality

6. Can get corrupted very fast if not
handled carefully
Cannot be attached or read on the
computer without proper hardware
unlike pen drives.
Local brands are not reliable.
Sometimes work slow.

7. There are two types of CompactFlash cards to
accommodate different capacities:
Type I cards are 42.8mm x 36.4mm x 3.3 mm thick
Type II cards are 42.8mm x 36.4mm x 5.5 mm thick.
 Compact Flash
 Mass Storage device used
in portable electronic
devices.
 Used in high-definition
camcorders and high-
resolution digital photo
cameras

8.  Memory Stick
 Memory Stick is a removable
flash memory card format.
 Memory Sticks are used
as storage media for a
portable device, in a form
that can easily be
removed for access by a
personal computer.

9.  Multi Media Card (MMC)
Used in almost very context in
which memory cards are used, like
cellular phones, digital audio
players, digital cameras and PDAs.

10.  xD-Picture Card
It is used in Digital cameras.
Advantages:
 Small in size.
 Faster speed than some other formats.
 They use low power consumption.
Disadvantages:
 More expensive
 Can be used only with Olympus and Fujifilm

11.  Smart Media
 It is a Flash memory card standard
owned by Toshiba.
 It ranges from 2 MB to 128 MB
 They are no longer
manufactured.

12.  Secure Digital Card (SD card)
Secure Digital card is basically the second generation
Multi Media Card
 They are exactly the same as MMC physically, other
than the extra locking switch on the SD Card.

13. Micro-SD
 The micro SD Card is even
smaller than the mini SD
Card.
 The micro SD Card is
designed for use in cellular
phones and small mobile
devices.
 The micro SD Card can
accessed in a SD Card slot
via an adapter.
 The card is originally
intended for use in
mobile phones and
miniature
electronics, such as MP3
players.
 Because most mini SD
Card packages include a
SD Card adapter, you can
use mini SD Card in your
SD Card devices.
Mini-SD