There are several issues involved with traveling with a digital camera, mostly concerning image storage and batteries.
Regarding image storage, your choices are:
- Carry enough cards to hold all of the pictures for the whole trip
- Bring along a device to transfer images to the card
- Use a retail outlet to offload the images from the card onto a CD or DVD
- Upload your images to an online image sharing service
Issues to consider regarding each option:
Carry enough cards to hold all of the pictures for the whole trip
I recommend using multiple lower capacity cards than one great big card because I've seen cards go bad, and there's also the issue of cards getting lost or stolen. Remember that, unlike film, there is no problem with digital camera cards going through x-ray.
Bring along a device to transfer images from the camera
If you want to transfer images to a device - take a laptop or a portable hard drive or CD/DVD burners just for this purpose.
Click here for more information.
Use a retail outlet to offload the images from the card onto a CD or DVD
There are several retail outlet solutions. Any camera store worth being called a camera store will have services where they will transfer images from your card(s) to a CD or DVD. These services are also widely available at self service kiosks at variety and drug stores such as Walmart or RiteAid. Make one CD or DVD to keep with you and another to mail home.
Upload your images to an online image sharing service
You’ll need a computer and internet connection for this one – perhaps your own laptop and the hotel’s internet connection, a hotel’s business center, a library, or an internet café. You’ll also need an account with a service provider (such as Picasa/Google, Shutterfly, Photomax) – most are free. The big advantages of this method are the ease of sharing your images with others, and the security of having your images backed up beyond what you are carrying around yourself.
In addition to image storage, you need to consider
battery issues. Your best bet is to have two sets of rechargeable batteries which you rotate between the camera and a charger. For road trips, I highly recommend getting an
AC Anywhere adapter that that plugs into your cigarette lighter and gives you AC current in your car which you can use for your battery charger (not to mention your laptop, DVD player or hairdryer!). Trips overseas also involve converters and adapters – be sure to check before you go what your needs will be.
