Universal Camera Connection Basics
You cannot use just any USB cable to download your photos. Most point-and-shoot cameras use mini-USB connectors, and only certain USB cables contain the correct connector for your camera. Your camera manufacturer should have included the correct USB cable in the box. If you cannot find it, you may need to take your camera to an electronics store or an office supply store and purchase a cable with the correct size USB connector. Many cameras have a USB logo on them. You also might see the USB logo next to the panel. Some camera makers place the USB slot in the same compartment as the battery and memory card. Look on the sides of the camera and the bottom of the camera for the USB slot. If you cannot find the USB slot, consult the camera’s user guide. Additionally, make sure the panel or door that hides and protects the USB slot is completely out of the way. If the panel is too close, you could pinch it between the cable and the slot, and the connector will not insert fully, leaving the USB cable unable to operate. Finally, make sure to insert the USB cable into the USB slot. Oftentimes, camera manufacturers include both a USB slot and an HDMI slot behind the same panel. If everything is connected correctly, your camera may give you a “connecting” message on the LCD screen or a similar type of message or icon. Some cameras give no indication, though. You should see a popup window on the computer screen, similar to the one below. It should give you a few options for downloading the photos. Just select one and follow the on-screen instructions. With most computers, you should see progress bars telling you how quickly the download is taking place. You also might see a small preview window showing what each photo looks like. Look through the images while it’s still fresh in your mind where you shot them and what you’re trying to accomplish with them, then delete any poor ones. Most of the time, the camera gives automatic, generic names to the photos, such as “Sept 10 423.” It’s always a good idea to give them memorable names so you can recognize them later on.
