Despite the significant increase in storage capacity on memory cards in digital cameras, most camera owners still want to transfer pictures from their camera to their personal computer. Once transferred, the pictures can be archived to guard against data loss, uploaded to social media sites, or further manipulated for printing or sharing with friends and family. The three most common methods of transferring pictures are 1) directly connecting the camera to the computer, 2) using an external memory card reader, or 3) directly inserting the memory card into a built-in reader on the computer.

How to Transfer Pictures from a Camera to a Computer

Direct Computer Connection

Step 1 – Turn on the digital camera.

Step 2 – Connect the camera to the computer with the USB connector that was included with the camera when purchased.

Step 3 – Press the “Windows” and “E” keys simultaneously to open Windows Explorer on a PC. The camera’s memory card will pop up on the computer screen as an external drive that can be opened by double clicking the drive. Most memory cards have a default folder displayed that should be opened in order for the pictures to be viewed. Alternately, Microsoft provides an Auto play Window that opens where the “Open Folder to View Files” menu option can be clicked to conduct the same task. Once opened, the files can be copied to a local folder on the computer for archiving or further manipulation. Additionally, the Windows Auto play feature has an automatic import feature that imports all pictures to the computer.

Step 4 – On a Mac computer, the camera appears as an icon on the desktop. This folder can then be opened to copy the files to the computer in a similar fashion as on a Windows computer.

Step 5 – After copying the files to the computer, unmount the camera if the computer’s operating system requires this by “Ctrl clicking” on a Mac or “Right Clicking” on a Windows computer and selecting the appropriate menu option.

 

Using a Memory Card Reader

Memory card readers eliminate the need to connect the camera to the computer. However, using a memory card reader requires an additional investment in the reader itself. Despite this, many people prefer to use multiple memory cards and upload via card reader at a convenient time.

Step 1 – Connect the memory card reader to the computer if not already connected.
Step 2 – Turn off the digital camera and remove the memory card.

Step 3 – Depending on the type of memory card being used, it may require an adapter to fit into the card reader slot. If so, insert the card into the adapter.

Step 4 – Insert the memory card into the card reader.

Step 5 – View and transfer the pictures to the computer using the same method(s) available under the direct computer connection.

Using a Built-in Memory Card Reader

Many laptops and desktop computers are now manufactured with built-in memory card readers. The reader is typically located on the laptop’s front or side and works similar to external card readers. Although designed to fit most memory card standards, some built-in card readers require a memory card adapter to successfully read and transfer pictures from the card to the computer.