[stuart_c]

My camera manual advises that an SD card should not be considered a reliable means of storing photographs and that back ups should be made.

I cannot remember the exact wording, but it is fairly vague, along the lines of, "to a computer". I wouldn't consider the computers internal HDD a back up media due to the risks involved in everyday use.

I should be able to pick up an external HDD in the summer, but don't envisage doing so before then, so would like to know my best option for reliable storage in the interim.

Do USB "flash drives" and CF cards have the same limitations as SD cards?

Is optical media considered more reliable and does the exact type/brand make a difference?

Many thanks for any thoughts on the above.