CapturEDU Online: Start
Module 1 · Know Your Camera

Batteries and memory cards

Complete & Continue Next Lesson Learn More

Start · Module 1Topic · 6 min

Batteries and memory cards

Lesson 7 of 12

MODULE 1 ROADMAP

  1. 1How a camera works
  2. 2Tour your camera
  3. 3Types of camera
  4. 4Sensor sizes
  5. 5Screens and viewfinders
  6. 6Settings to change first
  7. 7Batteries and memory cards
  8. 8Changing lenses
  9. 9Real-life examples
  10. 10Practice
  11. 11Quiz
  12. 12Cheat sheet

The short version

Flat batteries and full or faulty memory cards end more photo outings than anything else. A simple routine, and knowing how to read a card’s label, prevents almost every one of them.

Batteries

Most cameras run on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery made for that model; some compacts take standard AA cells, and phones have a built-in battery. Screens and electronic viewfinders use plenty of power, so carry a spare if your camera takes one. Cold drains batteries faster for a while, so on a chilly morning keep the spare in an inside pocket and swap them as they cool. Use the maker’s batteries or reputable equivalents, and never use one that is swollen or damaged.

Flying? Spare lithium batteries go in your carry-on bag, not checked luggage, with the metal ends covered (a case, tape or a separate small bag). Airlines set their own limits, so check with your airline before you fly.

Memory cards

Most cameras take SD cards; some faster cameras take other types, such as CFexpress, and phones mostly store pictures inside. Your manual lists exactly which cards fit. The label on an SD card looks like alphabet soup, but it decodes easily. Let’s decode a real one.

Close-up of a SanDisk Extreme SD card label reading 90MB/s, 32 GB, with the SDHC logo, a Roman numeral I, a U with a 3 inside it, a 10 inside a C, and a small lock symbol near the edge1234567
  1. 1
    Card family: SDHC

    SDHC cards hold more than 2 GB and up to 32 GB. SDXC cards hold more than 32 GB, up to 2 TB.

  2. 2
    Capacity

    How much the card holds: 32 GB here.

  3. 3
    Bus: the Roman numeral I

    UHS-I, the card’s connection type. A II (with a second row of pins on the back) is faster, but only in cameras built for it.

  4. 4
    U3

    UHS Speed Class 3: it promises at least 30 MB/s when writing. A U1 promises at least 10 MB/s.

  5. 5
    Class 10

    The older speed mark: at least 10 MB/s when writing.

  6. 6
    Headline speed

    The top speed, usually for reading files off the card. Writing is often slower, so check the U, V or Class marks for that.

  7. 7
    Lock symbol

    Shows which way the small switch on the card’s side locks it. A locked card can’t be written to.

Figure 1. A real SD card label, decoded. Cards made for video may also show a V mark, such as V30, which promises at least 30 MB/s for recording video. Logos sit in different places on different brands.
A camera battery charger plugged into a cable, with a rectangular lithium-ion camera battery lying beside it on a white surface
What to notice: A camera battery and its charger. Most cameras use their own shape of battery, so spares must match your model.
Hands opening a side door on a camera and sliding a red memory card into the slot
What to notice: The card goes in label-first in one direction only. If it won’t slide in, turn it round; never push hard.

How to do it

  1. Buy what your manual recommends. It lists the card types and the speed class to use, especially for video.
  2. Look at the write marks, not the big headline speed. U3 or V30 is a sound start for most stills and HD video.
  3. Use two or three medium cards rather than one huge one, so one failure loses less.
  4. Format in the camera at the start of a shoot, only after your pictures are safely copied (Module 19).
  5. Leave the card in while the access light is on. The camera may still be saving.
  6. Retire any card that shows an error, even once.

Easy traps

  • Buying by the headline MB/s. The writing marks matter more for bursts and video.
  • Carrying spare batteries loose with keys or coins, which can short the metal ends.

Finn tip: Charge every battery the night before. Many battery covers can be flipped to show full or empty; if yours can’t, keep full ones in a labelled pouch.

Key takeaways

  • Carry a charged spare, keep it warm in the cold, and fly with spares in your carry-on.
  • Read a card’s writing marks (U, V or Class), not just its headline speed.
  • Format in the camera, never pull a card while it is saving, and retire any card that errors.

Try it now · 10 minutes

Take your card out and decode its label: family, capacity, bus numeral and speed marks. Check them against the card advice in your manual. If they match, you are all set; if not, you know exactly what to buy next time.