The iPod Camera Connector is Apple's official camera connector accessory for the iPod that allows you to transfer images directly from a supported camera to your iPod.

iPod Camera Connector
IPodCameraConnector1.jpg
Image of an iPod Camera Connector
DeveloperApple
Release dateMarch 21st, 2005
Introductory price$29 USD
DiscontinuedMarch 27th, 2010

Usage Notes

Upon plugging in this accessory into a compatible iPod, a menu prompt the end user requesting to read and import the files off the connected camera. The interface allows deleting photos from the camera once the import is complete. RAW images partially supported, as they will transfer but not display on the iPod. This same applies to videos.

iPod Camera Connector draws power from the iPod itself than having its external battery. The device does not need charging but comes with the downside of draining the iPod’s battery when transferring (battery drain is expected because of the hard drive reading and writing to the platter during the transfer).

The iPod creates thumbnail versions of every image, thus taking up more space than just the images. So, the last space taken up after transfer is going to be slightly larger than the file size of the images alone.

For the iPod Photo, firmware version 1.1 is required for device compatibility. Any version for the iPod Video is compatible.

iPod Compatibility

Note: The iPod Nano, the iPod Mini, the iPod (1-4G monochrome), the iPod Classic (6-7G), and the iPod Touch do not support the Camera Connector

Camera Compatibility

The iPod Camera Connector supports most cameras that support either PTP, Type 4 (or Normal), or Mass Storage protocols.

Images

Resources

Apple's Resources

Archived Apple support page on how to use the iPod Camera Connector: https://web.archive.org/web/20090706200653/http://support.apple.com/kb/TA38187?viewlocale=en_US
Archived Apple Store page of the iPod Camera Connector: https://web.archive.org/web/20050414084157/http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?productLearnMore=M9861G/A

3rd Party Reviews

iLounge Review of iPod Camera Connector (offers many good images): https://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/apple-ipod-camera-connector-ipod
Cnet Review of the iPod Camera Connector: https://www.cnet.com/reviews/apple-ipod-camera-connector-review/
MacWorld Review of the iPod Camera Connector: https://www.macworld.com/article/1044013/ipodcamconnect.html
The New York Times article on the iPod Camera Connector: https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/31/technology/circuits/cable-lets-the-ipod-photo-link-directly-to-a-camera.html
MacWorld Article on what camera connectors were available in the market: https://www.macworld.com/article/1051821/camcondearth.html

Other Links

Apple Wiki page on the iPod Camera Connector: https://apple.fandom.com/wiki/IPod_Camera_Connector