Camera connectivity in DSLRs and advanced cameras refers to the ways in which connections can be made to other devices in order to transfer, view, or print photos, or to use the camera for remote capture.
You have a variety of options for camera connectivity. You've probably used the USB connection on your camera to transfer photos to a computer, for example. However, there are several other camera connectivity options, as we'll discuss here.
- Image transfer. All modern DSLRs use at least a USB 1.1 connection to transfer images, while some higher-end cameras use USB 2.0 or a FireWire connection. Camera manufacturers include the necessary driver software and cables with DSLRs.
Transfer speeds are not only affected by which form of connection you are using, but they are also affected by things such as type of camera, card reader, storage card, software on your computer, and the size of your files.
- Remote capture. Many DSLRs also offer the image transfer connection to enable remote capture. This allows users to remotely fire the camera from a computer, allowing images to be saved directly onto the computer's hard drive.
- Printing. DSLRs with either "PictBridge" or "USB Direct Print Support" functionality have the ability to print directly from the camera, via a USB connection.