Taking pics without a memory card.

From other side, if DSLRs would come with some 64MB build in memory I can imagine myself a people buying first DSLR (just because seller said "it produces excellent pictures and better than the compact one they have") and then moan "What, I can save only 3 pictures?, even my cheap, digital camera is better, I can save at least 20 photos before I have to delete them, and what files they are, I can't even see that RAW something on my PC" .
So I guess it is better not to add another chapter in the manual "How to save more than 3 pictures when using your camera".

No, not missing the point
I have a procedure that has become second nature:
* Open the SD door
* Remove card from camera
* Immediately put a new card in the camera
* Close the SD door
* Format the card
* Take the card to the PC to download

Bottom line - I don't close the SD card door unless there's a card in there!
Matt

Matt has outlined a sensible and reasonable technique that will avoid the pitfalls mentioned.

Manufacturers can't be expected to make everything totally fooloproof as it's impossible to think of everything that someone somewhere might forget.

Before any trip with a camera checking that you have everything is pretty basic.

Sorry Matt, I wasn't being rude
It was a scenario similar to yours which led to my downfall. I normally use the USB cable, but recently over a period of several days I've been doing a lot of work, swapping 3 cards for speed and backup reasons and at some point I forgot (distracted probably) and later took off to walk dog and child without the card.

Of course Molly was looking impossibly cute and the light was perfect and all I needed was a few Megs to play with.

Can see the arguments for both sides, but with current memory prices, 'why not?' seems to be the best question.

It would cost very little to put say 4GB or 8GB into a DSLR, and it would be a unique selling point!

Again, a but... If it was to be done, it would have to be done properly! Imagine the new 'K-7' with HD video. It would need high speed memory access, so you could dedicate the internal memory to video only, with SD card for photos or additional video space if needed. Automatic backup, duplicate all shots to both card and internal memory. RAW + JPEG could have Raw to camera, JPEG to card

The other 'must have' if this was to be done would be to add the charging port to the USB port, that way you can be charging the battery whilst transferring data etc.

Seems to me the pros outweigh the cons!

In terms of additional function for those who want it maybe, but in terms of extra cost for those who don't maybe not.

Is it a popular idea that would sell cameras, or extra cost that would make them less competitive? I guess we'll find out over the next few months and years.

Well Matt, there is no way to fault your logic, as that is the way I do things....

However there is an old saying:
"As soon as one person invents something IdiotProof, they'll just make a better idiot"

now I'm not calling anybody an idiot on either side here....it's just a joke, but...

We did manage to lose a photoshoot the other week... baby photos, had to re-shoot...
I was distracted with family matters (boy I could tell you guys some stories) and a memory card got handed off to Gerri for downloading and meta tagging.... which got handed back to me for another job... I didn't check the project as I was at my mothers that week... Gerri had been crazy busy also and had forgotten to download the images and rotate the cards.

@Don - ouch Yes, I can see that happening
That's one of the reasons I cycle three cards, only formatting when the oldest card has just been put in the camera. I always check the images on the card before previewing and make a mental check whether I've actually doubly-backed them up.
Matt

Don't think the extra cost would be a problem as memory is so cheap now. Who would begrudge a tenner for 4GB built in?

If they put a £100 premium on it, it would be a different story. The price they could do it for would make no difference to a £700-£800 camera.

It would only make it less competitive if it added significantly to the price, and it doesn't have to.

If it was there for a minimal price, would it really stop anyone buying the camera?

three of everything here...memory cards, cameras and lenses, shoe flash, studio strobes and hotlights....
but add some stress, try to rush, and one miscomunication....bam, you just formatted a card that should be in the camera bag....

not just format, but wrote over....

I use about 12 cards, maybe more, because I like to use smaller cards (2GB max now) and so that cards don't get formatted before backups have been made from the computer copy.

Card Safe holders are marked "Empty" and "Full" to ensure no nasty mistakes...

Why not use the USB cable? The memory card never has to leave the camera!

I'm with you on that one Terry. I only ever take the card from the camera if I fill it during the day's shoot and have to swap it for another, otherwise it never comes out of its slot.

It's more convenient for me take the memory card out and put it in the computer slot than make a space on my desk for the camera and plug it in.

actually the camera already has internal memory... called a buffer.

No reason they can't increase that to hold a few hundred images, and write to a card or transmit via usb or wifii on demand. (i know volatile vs non volatile memory.... I think that can be fixed in a new design, if the manufacturer wants to...)
newer harddrives are going solid state.....