Start with the card, not the cable
If your camera uses SD, SDHC, SDXC, microSD, Memory Stick, xD-Picture Card, SmartMedia, or CompactFlash, the cleanest workflow is usually to remove the card and read it from your phone. A card reader is easier than hunting for an old USB cable, and it avoids the common problem where a camera port transfers data but does not charge or connect cleanly to modern phones.
Before buying any reader, open the card door and read the exact card type. A Sony Memory Stick Duo is not the same shape as a full-size Memory Stick. An Olympus or Fujifilm xD-Picture Card needs a reader that explicitly supports xD. A very old SmartMedia card needs a true SmartMedia reader, not a simple SD reader.
For iPhone
Use a reader that matches your phone port and the camera card. Newer iPhones use USB-C, while older iPhones use Lightning. For SD cameras, an SD or microSD reader is usually enough. For Sony, Olympus, Fujifilm, or older high-end cameras, look for a multi-card reader that lists Memory Stick, xD-Picture Card, or CompactFlash by name.
- SD / SDHC / SDXC: use an SD reader or a microSD reader with a full-size SD adapter if your camera uses microSD.
- Memory Stick Duo / PRO Duo: use a universal reader that supports Sony Memory Stick Duo.
- xD-Picture Card: use a universal reader that clearly says xD, because many modern readers skip it.
- CompactFlash: use a CF reader and avoid forcing the card because bent pins can ruin the slot.
For Android
Most current Android phones use USB-C, so a USB-C card reader is the simplest starting point. After you plug in the reader, open the phone's file app or gallery import screen. If nothing appears, test the same card on a computer or a different reader before assuming the camera is broken.
For older cameras, capacity can matter. A camera that only supports standard SD may reject a larger SDHC or SDXC card, even if the card physically fits. If you see a memory card error, check the camera page or manual before buying another random large card.
When a cable is useful
A cable can help if the photos are stuck in internal memory, or if the camera has a custom transfer mode. But many 2000s compact cameras use old mini-USB, proprietary USB, or dock cables, and some of those cables are harder to find than a card reader. If the camera has internal memory, check the menu for a copy-to-card option first.
Simple buying rule
If you are choosing between two used cameras, the one with an easy SD or SDHC workflow is usually less annoying for a beginner than a camera that needs a rare battery, rare charger, and rare card reader. The photo look matters, but day-one transfer friction decides whether you will actually use the camera.