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General discussion

SD cards . . . how fast is fast enough?

Mar 27, 2005 7:11AM PST

Before my next long trip I will buy a 1 gig SD card. I am thrilled at how the prices are falling, they're cheaper than my 128MB MMC was a few years ago. However, I want to know about speed. How fast does the card need to be for optimal function (I have a Casio Ex-Z50)? Is faster always better, or at some point does the limiting speed become the camera? I'll pay more for better and faster performance, but I don't want to pay for capabilities my camera will never be able to take advantage of. Also, what are you guys' thoughts on the best SD card manufacturers?

(PS I thought I'd started this thread already, but I could never find it, so if it exists and this is a double I'm sorry).

Discussion is locked

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SD cards
Mar 28, 2005 12:05AM PST

Regarding the manufacturer.

All SD cards are made to the same standard:

http://www.sdcard.org/

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Faster cards

If a camera needs a faster card to meet its specifications....the camera manufacturer will specify that in their User's Manual.

Will a faster card improve performance of a camera?

Not likely.

Notice that the makers of the faster card never state that you will see any benefits from the faster more expensive card.

From reports on some cameras, you may (or may not) see an improvement in "start-up" time, if you are using a card that is larger than 128 meg. Start-up time is from the time you turn-on the camera until it is ready to shoot.

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So speed doesn't matter much?
Mar 29, 2005 4:26AM PST

And I'm probably not losing anything much buying the cheapest (from a quality manufacturer) 1 gig card. Any thoughts on manufacturers?

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Manufacturers
Mar 29, 2005 5:26AM PST

I have never had a problem with any memory card, and I have Compact Flash, SD, Smart Media, and Memory Stick.

Except when I forgot to format the memory card with the camera.
That can give you problems.
But it is not a fault of the card,
but a fault of the person holding the camera.

Altogether I have over 10 different brands of cards.
Since they are all made to an industry standard, I don't pay much attention to the brand name.

If I saw one made by Hangnail Mfg or a company that I have never heard of, I would probably pass it by.

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