What are the different types of memory cards available?

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Over the past few years, the number of different types of memory cards has reduced drastically, due to standardization. The main types currently available include SD, Memory Stick, and CompactFlash. Other, less common varieties in older devices include MMC, xD Picture Card and SmartMedia.
Secure Digital (SD) is the most widespread format and comes in various different capacities and speeds. Memory Stick is a proprietary format developed by Sony and as a result, is found mainly in Sony devices. CompactFlash is a standard specifically developed for digital cameras and is now most commonly used in higher-end SLRs. The xD Picture Card is being phased out, a proprietary format developed by Fujifilm and Olympus.
Devices will usually only take one variety of memory cards, although some cameras and camcorders have a single slot that accepts two different varieties of cards, such as Sony cameras, which generally take SD and Memory Stick. High-end digital SLRs may also have two or more slots for different types of cards, such as the Nikon D300s, which has an SD and CompactFlash slot side-by-side.
Many formats also have sub-variants. SD, for example, also comes in miniSD and microSD (also known as TransFlash) forms, while Memory Sticks have the Memory Stick Pro Duo variants. While the underlying technology is the same, the size and form factor is vastly different in these variants.

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