Why is there a DCIM folder on my memory card?

Answer: DCIM is short for "Digital Camera Images." It is a folder that is automatically created on flash memory cards by digital cameras. Most digital camera manufacturers, such as Canon, Nikon, and Olympus, as well as some cell phones use the DCIM folder to store the photos captured by the camera. Software programs that import digital photos also look in the DCIM folder for photos to import. The DCIM folder typically contains JPEG images, but it may also include subfolders and other files such as index files that keep track of the photos taken by the camera.

Since digital photos are stored in the DCIM folder, other data besides pictures can be stored on the camera's card as long as the card is not set to "read-only." For example, you could store text documents in a different folder and transfer them to another computer directly from the card. Just make sure not to drag extra items into the DCIM folder, since it may cause your camera to not recognize the list of photos.

Published: October 16, 2008 — by Per Christensson