I have a 4GB compact flash card for my camera and I was wondering what the ##x speed really meant... I've seen cards that say "High speed (80x) compact flash card!" and others that say "High speed (12x) compact flash card!" And I was just curious if 12 is actually considered high speed... it doesn't seem like it, which makes me sad because that's what my card is haha. It came with the camera though, and 4gb is a good amount so I guess I can't complain too much!
It does seem to take some time with pictures at the quality I've been taking them at, which is unfortunate. Is that higher ##x really going to make a huge enough difference to drop $100 or more on another memory card? (in the future, I'm broke now...) Though I suppose to help me buy one I could sell what I have now...
2007-01-10 18:13:03 · 5 answers · asked by surrylic 2 in Consumer Electronics ➔ Cameras
The benchmark of 1X is a transfer rate of 150 KB per second.
I have not encountered a card that was not at least 4X (600 KB per second) and 12X (1.8 MB per second) is now a common speed for an unlabeled card. Compared to 4X, 12X might still be called "high speed" by some manufacturers. 40X is also a common "high speed" card and the transfer rate would be 6 MB per second. That's not too bad for most applications.
Sandisk Ultra II claims a minimum write speed of 60X or 9 MB per second, and a minimum read speed of 66X or 10 MB per second. Sandisk Extreme III claims a minimum write and read speed of 133X or 20 MB per second.
The largest 6MP photos on a D50 camera (for instance) seem to be about 3 MB, so it seems that an Ultra II could save 3 high data images per second, while an Extreme III could save 6 high data images per second. The D50 continuous mode gives up to 2.5 frames per second, so you could be gathering about 8 MB of data per second. If you do not have at least the Ultra II or equivalent, it is easy to see how the D50 bogs down at times.
Once the memory buffer is full, you can not save images any faster than the card can save them and the camera will stop taking pictures until there is space available in the memory buffer. This means you are limited by both the size of the memory buffer and the write speed of the card.
Unless you use continuous shooting mode ("motor drive"), write speed should not become a factor. Unless you shoot an amazing number of images on a high pixel count camera (like 10 MP) in the highest resolution an d largest size, you probably don't need to spend the big bucks on another 4 GB card, either. With a 10 MP camera saving the best image quality, you can save over 160 typical pictures per GB. A 2 GB card would hold over 300. You can get a 2 GB Sandisk Ultra II for $65 or an Extreme III for $85.
2007-01-10 18:49:26 · answer #1 · answered by Jess 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The higher the speed of the card, the faster your camera can write to it, meaning the faster you can take multiple pictures in a row. It has nothing to do with the quality of your pictures. Now if you keep missing good shots because your camera can't keep up with the action, then it's time to upgrade, but only if that fact bothers you more than parting with your money.
I wouldn't worry about your card - yes it is slow by new technology standards, but everything is old as soon as it hits the stores, so you're never going to catch that beast.
A high speed card really shows it's worth when you take video with your camera - and most do - but only if you use at least an "Ultra II" card.
2007-01-10 18:30:59 · answer #2 · answered by Steven S 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
san disk makes great high speed cards, as far as i know, the most comprehensible way of rating card speed is in mps (megabytes per second) their regular cards transfer at 3mps, which is fine if you have a camera under 5 megapixles. The next step up is the ultra II card, transfering at about 10mps. These are meant for cameras between 5 and 8 megapixles. Next is the Extreme III card, which transfers at a whopping 20mps and is meant for cameras 9 megapixles and up. This card is also meant to perform better in extreme weather conditions. I believe sandisk has an Extreme IV out as well, and I imagine the transfer speed on that would be 40mps...not sure on that though. All In all high speed memory cards are a good thing to have, but may not be completely necessary depending on the amount of megapixles your camera has. Outside of improving on the download speed of your pictures onto your computer, the high speed cards will allow faster picture taking in burst modes and will allow your camera to work more smoothly, ultimately saving you battery life. good luck!
2007-01-10 18:32:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
At one tiome, 12X was considered to be high speed.
And then, USB-2 ports came out and then 80X became high speed.
Now, most high speed cards are at least 120X.
I just purchased a 2GB, 133X Compact Flash card at Future Shop for $39.99.
2007-01-10 18:21:02 · answer #4 · answered by Garry H 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
12 is not high speed.
yes, it does make a difference.
go to shopzilla.com and find a good deal.
I really think that 4gb is way too much.
A 2gb is fine.
I just got a high speed card through adorama.com because of a rebate. After the rebate, I am paying $9.95
2007-01-10 23:58:25 · answer #5 · answered by Elvis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋