Which SD memory card?

Dan Driscoll · 11-27-2005, 07:07 PM

I just picked up a Nikon CoolPix 4600 and need a secure digital memory card for it, probably 512MB or 1 GB. Should I get a high speed card, or is a standard card sufficient? Any particular brand(s) to look at, or just as important, to avoid? TIA.

Paul McElligott · 11-28-2005, 04:32 AM

High speed cards are necessary to make full use of the camera's "burst mode"0

Patrick Sun · 11-28-2005, 03:09 PM

I think if you get SD card rated at 60X or above, you'll be okay. I have a couple of the SanDisk Ultra II SD cards, and an ATP SD card. Each is rated for 60X or faster. Don't get the SanDisk SD card (normal, blue packaging, not the black used for their Ultra line), those are slower cards (and thus cheaper, on the whole).

The higher rated speed also better if you use your camera is capable of recording video. I have a Canon S2, which allows me to capture 640x480 30fps video, so a fast card helps.

I've been cautioned to stay away from the Lexar SD cards (via reviews from the past year).

Dan Driscoll · 11-29-2005, 01:50 PM

Thanks for the tips.

anthony_b · 01-14-2006, 08:11 AM

I just purchased a Canon A610 and I need to buy SD Memory as well. What are the specs/speed I should be looking for ?

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Qui-Gon John · 01-14-2006, 08:17 AM

I just got a 1GB Kingston SD card from Buy.com, 49.95, less a rebate of $10, makes it a great deal for only 39.95.

anthony_b · 01-14-2006, 10:51 AM

John, was that the standard speed or is it a fast one ?

Qui-Gon John · 01-14-2006, 09:08 PM

Think it might be standard, at least I couldn't find anything on the package that said High Speed.

Mike Fassler · 08-11-2006, 08:58 PM

Ridata and a-data make pretty decent stuff for low cost, they are 20 bucks for 1gig at newegg. I use them in a Canon A620. Ive also have had great luck with kingstons sd memory which has a great lifetime warranty as well.

p.s. the ridata 150X 1gig module is $21.19 at newegg.com here is the link;

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820183183 pretty sweet price and they have many others in the same price range $17-21

HienN · 11-25-2006, 11:16 AM

Interesting article from David Pogue, Technology Editor of the New York Times, Nov 8 2006. He wrote to Canon asking for their opinion of high speed memory cards.

Quote:

“Dear Canon… Can you tell me what, if any, difference a high-speed memory card makes in point-and-shoot cameras? Many thanks! –David Pogue”

A reply came from Rudy Winston in Canon’s technical department:
“A high-speed memory card tends to be more of a priority for the high-end digital SLR user who shoots pictures quickly and aggressively, more so than for the compact camera owner.

That said, there are a few reasons a user may want to invest in higher-speed CF or SD memory cards for a compact digital camera.

1. Users who shoot sequences of high-res still images. While it’s true that most compact cameras can’t shoot faster than 2 or at most 3 frames per second, a fast card will let you shoot either (a) longer continuous bursts of these 2-3 fps shots, and/or (b) be ready faster for more shooting after a continuous burst of pictures has been taken.

2. Movie mode. Many cameras now allow continuous movie recording at up to 30 fps (with sound), and a high-speed card becomes really practical if you’re looking to record individual movie clips longer than 15 or 30 seconds. On many current compact cameras, continuous video recording ‘until the card is full’ depends on the card being fast enough to keep up with the camera’s data transfer rate. So a user who frequently uses the movie mode, and especially for someone who may want to shoot long clips without pausing, will probably benefit from a high-speed memory card.

But it probably does remain true that for the typical, average user taking snapshots of family events and so on, that a less-expensive and lower speed card will work just as effectively most of the time. It’s the so-called power user who will really tend to notice the difference, at least in my opinion.”

You heard it from the top, folks.

Holadem · 11-25-2006, 02:14 PM

Here is another question:

1 x 2GB (Sandisk) vs 2 x 1GB (PNY) ?

Either option is $30 today at Best Buy.

I bought the 2GB, but I am thinking since I am gonna be away for nearly a month with no possibility of replacing it should it go kapput (how often does this happen?) perhaps I should get two of the 1GB instead?

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H

HienN · 11-25-2006, 03:53 PM

Sandisk is definitely the more established, name brand here. For cameras I would be less concerned, but I have a LG cell phone that seems to accept only Sandisk cards (micro SD format). If price is equal, by all means get Sandisk.

As for 1 x 2 GB or 2 x 1 GB, I think it's a matter of personal preference. These cards are pretty reliable, and as long as you don't expose them to excessive heat or humidity, they should be fine. Sandisk sells a higher grade card called "Extreme III" for these uses. The risk of malfunction is probably higher with the camera than with the memory card. I would go with the 2 GB for convenience (less swapping and misplacement) but normally I also carry a spare empty card.