Memory Stick Memory Guide

The original memory stick is a removable flash memory card available in sizes from 4MB to 128 MB, and was about the size of a stick of chewing gum. It is no longer manufactured. The largest capacity memory stick currently manufactured is 16 GB. The term "Memory Stick" now also refers to the whole family of memory sticks, including the Memory Stick PRO, the Memory Stick Duo, the Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick Micro (M2), and the Memory Stick PRO-HG.

The Memory Stick was originally developed by Sony in 1998. They are typically used in portable media devices, such as digital cameras. Sony also produces Memory sticks for MP3 players, PDA's, Cell phones, and the PlayStation Portable. Sony Vaio computers also include slots for memory sticks. Currently the only Sony camera which does not use the memory stick format is the A100 DSLR camera, which has a compact flash slot.

As mentioned earlier, there are a wide range of formats of memory sticks. The format has been continuously expanded in response to the storage limitations of the original memory stick. Memory Stick Select had two separate 128 MB partitions, the user could select with one to use with a physical switch on the card. The memory stick PRO allows faster transfer speeds and more file space (all are larger than 1 GB), The Memory Stick Duo, and Pro Duo are smaller versions developed due to the need for a card for pocket-sized digital cameras. The Memory Stick Micro (M2) is an even smaller card, about 1/4 the size of the duo, and about the size of a fingernail. The Memory Stick PRO-HG is a higher speed version of the Memory Stick Pro.