file - Is it better to transfer photos by removing the memory card or by directly using a data cable?

I can download the pictures from the camera using the data cable or I can unplug the card and plug into my PC's card reader. Both work and I couldn't notice big differences in speed or reliability.

What's your take on this?

Answer

Reasons to use the memory card:

1. 
   

   A good card reader will be faster than your camera's data cable (a cheap card reader - not so much)

   
   


2. 
   
   

   When you use the camera data cable you also use the batteries, I had an old camera that really drained the batteries when using the data connection (a set of batteries lasted a few days of shooting or about 30 minutes of data connection) - I expect most cameras are better but I haven't used the data cable since.

   
   


3. 
   

   For SD cards - most laptops have a built in card readers, lots of printers also have card readers, the USB reader that's always connected to my desktop computer right now cost me about $5 - why bother connecting the data cable when I already have a card reader connected.

   
   


4. 
   

   For CF cards - I've heard (my camera only has an SD card) a good card reader will be so much faster than the camera you'll never ask this question again (a new generation reader from one of the leading memory card brands - not my $5 one).

   
   

Reasons to use the camera data cable:

1. 
   

   If you don't already have a built in card reader it's one less thing to carry

   
   


2. 
   

   You could potentially damage the camera's card slot (but I've used my old high end point and shoot so much the lens fell off and the card slot didn't show any damage - so I don't think this is real).