While we are on subject of SLR cameras, I am researching a more sophisticated SLR unit and have the following question/concerns. The new Sony SLR camera will give me the zoom control I would like but my concern is photo storage, I am looking at 4MB cards to travel with but once full (full as I understand it is some 200 photos)how can I download to another medium for storage while travelling. I will be travelling in Egypt/Turkey and then into Europe and will be not always able to hunt down a photo shop. Also I have concerns about recharging the batteries, etc. and was told that power converters can be a problem in Europe and other countries and power loads can fry our North American accessories. Has anyone run into this problem and if so how did you overcome the problem? Thanks a bunch for any advice on these subjects.

If you look back through some other posts there has a lot written about storage. The I pod appears to be the method of choice for many people.

I take a laptop with me as I take videos which require a lot of storage. Every few days I burn everything to disk so that I have a back up.

I believe that any camera you buy today will have dual voltage included, so all you should need is a plug adaptor. I have heard of a few cases where hairdryers or curling tongs have been "fried" but never a camera.

Thanks Tangata:
I'll be checking this out and since I want to pack as light as possible the iPod could be the answer. Really don't want to pack a computer as I don't want the expense or the possible theft worry.

Get yourself something like the X-Drive. These are basically battery powered hard disks with built in card readers - so you can dump the contents of a memory card while in the middle of nowhere, reformat your card and continue. The battery typically lasts 2 hours - long enough for several card transfers - and thus long enough before you get to a hotel and can recharge it.

The current models (X-Drive VP8360 and VP8390) have built in screens so you can view the photos after they have been loaded onto the hard disk. The units also double as MP3 sound and MP4 video players. Cost depends on how big a hard drive you want - they take standard laptop 2.5 inch drives.

The units are about the size of a paperback - so they fit into most camera bags without problems.

There are a variety of other similar technologies, but the X-Drive seems to have the best bang per buck, and new models are coming out most years exploiting newer technologies. my current one is 4 years old and still works fine. Drive sizes currently go from 40GB up to 200GB.

Note: these are for the serious photographer - flash memory is so cheap now that you can buy a LOT of memory cards for what these cost. Compare prices first. eg: High speed 1GB Compact flash cards are down to AUD$33 here...

I bought a Vosonic X-Drive 2 years ago and have used it on several trips. It always does the job and as you pointed out it takes up very little space.

I haven't used it's mp3 capabilities and use it for storing photos only. Another good feature of using it compared to larger cards, is I download my photos every day and if my camera or memory sticks get stolen at least I will still have my photos.

Why not get a 1g memory card. I have one and it took 379 pictures in good quality last year. I have an X-drive I took and didn't need it. I have 2 of the 1g memory cards. I never even filled up the 2nd one on the trip which was 19 days. That would have been 758 pictures.

You don't take as many photos as I do <g>. On a recent 35 day trip I took 18G of photos (over 6000 at top quality settings)... And that was only part of the overall holiday!

The crux here is that you have to first understand how prolific *you* personally are likely to be (not anyone else), double it (because you will ALWAYS be conservative), and then consider how much storage you need...

Everyone is different, and when holidaying overseas you will ALWAYS take more photos than you think you might. The most conforting thing to remember is that buying memory cards overseas is fairly easy/cheap to do - just ensure you have the exact details of your card type handy (users of the myriad SD formats take note as its easy to get the wrong one accidentally - as one couple on my tour discovered)

Hi Ken and Angela,
Do take a transformer and an adapter plug when you go on your trip. I had a hard time getting salespeople to understand that I needed a transformer. They kept trying to sell me just an adapter plug. I finally went to a luggage store where they sold the transformer with the adapter plugs. I recharged my batteries just fine with it and had no problems. One of the other people on my tour had just an adapter plug and she fried her battery charger without the transformer. Also, I took 2, 2GB cards with me and took over 700 pictures on one and over 200 pictures on the other with room to spare. I also used the highest resolution on my camera which was 6MP. My pictures turned out great!
Debbie in California

TravlinCpl,

Check the power supple for your electrical devises. If they are multi voltage (as most new equipment is these days) then you will not need a power converter.

Most cameras, computers, etc, these days have "universal" power supplies which will work happily on both US and European voltages and all you need bring is a plug adaptor for such items. If the power supply states Input 100-240V then you should be OK.

If it does not have multi voltage then you will need a power converter.

Yes, I wouldn't risk it without it. The transformer that I bought with the adapter plugs was only about $40.00 and it's money well spent so you don't ruin expensive camera equipment. My friend was really bummed about her battery charger. I also wouldn't plug anything directly into the camera if I could help it. Use your battery charger. If it gets messed up at least it's not as expensive to replace as your camera. I took my Canon Digital Rebel with me and got beautiful pictures. It's an SLR. Hope this helps.
Debbie