Do Digital Cameras Have an Onboard Cache?

If you take a picture with a digital camera... will there be any trace of it in between the sensor and the memory card? Something that could be used for recovery? Or is all evidence of that picture having been taken remain solely on the memory card?

they have an onboard cache

on lower-end models the cache is to make sure the camera can quickly record the picture even if the user has only bought a cheap, low speed memory card.

on higher-end models the cache is also useful for continuous shooting, and when it is full the continuous shooting rate tends to go down markedly, say after 10 shots in JPEG or so.

newer high-end models still have a cache, but could do w/o one where using fast (20mb write speed) cards.

as for recovering the data, I don't think so no, at least not w/o taking the camera apart.

Feelin guilty of something ? lol Most do have onboard memory so that you can test the capture at store .Just go into your camera menu and delete all pictures .That's all

There is a buffer, if that's what you mean. The better the camera, the larger the buffer. I'm sure a forensic expert could get something out of there. But, it is hardly a trivial matter.

lol...whats the matter? Did you borrow mommy's camera and take a few "interesting" photos...and are now so worried you are asking this question?
Don't worry about it...no evidence will remain in the camera after the card is taken out.