Memory cards replaced film. Now freestanding screens are replacing old-fashioned prints, which means you no longer have to live with a fixed number of photos on your walls or tables. Digital frames allow you to change photos or play a slide show.

If You Want Simplicity

The small frame on the Philips Photo Frame, with a 6.5-inch screen, comes in either clear acrylic (No. 7FF1AW) or simulated wood grain (7FF1WD). Slots in the back let you load most memory cards. You can copy about 50 photographs onto the frame’s internal memory. A rechargeable battery allows you to unplug this model and pass it around.
Bear in Mind: Clear on-screen menus make loading photos and setting up slide shows a snap.
To Buy: $199, www.consumer.philips.com.

If You Want Great Image Quality

The 10.4-inch LCD screen on the Digital Spectrum MemoryFrame MF-810S beats all others for image clarity. It even rivals the resolution of high-definition TV. You can soften the high-tech look by replacing the plastic frame with an 8-by-10-inch wood version (sold separately).
Bear in Mind: Instead of loading your camera’s memory card into the frame, you have to transfer pictures to your computer, then use a cable (included) and software (not Mac-compatible) to load up to 50 photos from your PC.
To Buy: $449, 949-252-1111, x254.

If You Want Good Value

The eight-inch frame of the Westinghouse DPF-0801 provides a good balance between price and quality. The screen colors are not as vivid as those on the Digital Spectrum and Philips models, but they beat those of several other frames. Slots on the back take most types of memory cards, but you must leave the cards in, as you can’t transfer photos to the frame’s internal memory.
Bear in Mind: The straightforward design makes this frame simple to operate once you learn its quirks.
To Buy: $219, www.westinghouse.com.

Watch This

A five- or eight-inch digital frame is nice for showing photos. But the best screen in the house is probably your television. You can transfer photos directly from your computer using a cable. Newer high-definition TVs usually include memory-card slots for basic digital-photo display.
If your set lacks card slots or you want more sophisticated slide shows, try the new Sony HDPS-L1 Digital Photo Album. Smaller than most DVD players, it provides slots for seven types of camera memory cards. Insert a card and press a button and you can view photos on your television screen.
To Buy: $300, www.sonystyle.com.