Memory Cards

Paulw

Ok, I've been looking at getting a new memory card, but need some advice.

There are many different ones, but how does the speed of the memory card work? It seems that every brand has it's own label, so how do you compare?

I want to try and get the highest speed card that my camera will accept (Canon 20D).

Any pointers would be great.

melekalikimaka

A faster card will only improve the latter part of the process--the save-file-to-card part.faster cards can reduce the amount of time it takes to upload photos to your computer, provided you also have a fast card reader. anything over 40 speed is overkill for the camera, it can't handle more than that, think its actually closer to x 30

City-Exile

This is the card that I use.
They're as cheap as chips, on eBay.
Also have SanDisk Ultra II, which is fine & never given me any problems in the 4 years I've been using it, but Extreme IV is available now, so I'd look at that.

Paulw

From memory, the Sandisk Ultra II is the fastest card it can accept (firmware data). So, I gather that buying any card faster is wasting money.

But, most card makers have a x30/x40/x100/x150/x200) rating. I have a card that is x140 and it does seem faster writing from camera to card. I don't care about PC reading speed.

So, I guess me buying a x150 card will be no faster in the camera than buying a x40 card.

Thanks for helping to shed light on all this. I'm still learning.

City-Exile

Has there been no Firmware update for the 20D?

Paulw

2-3 firmware updates since the camera release. I have them all. Once the 30D came out there were no more updates.

Paulw

Actually, I just found an interesting article

http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=6007-7303

It seems that the SanDisk Extreme IV 2GB would be the fastest write card to buy.

City-Exile

Paulw wrote:

It seems that the SanDisk Extreme IV 2GB would be the fastest write card to buy.

They don't feature the Transcend 266x though.

Paulw

LOL, ok, ok.

I looked for a SanDisk Extreme IV 2GB, and the best price I can find is €50.10, but the problem is that shipping is €22.

So, total price of €72.10? Ouch.

Anyone know where I can get one (including shipping) for under €60?

City-Exile

Paul, I was looking at them in London and they were over £100
I expect them to be around €150 or more here.

Paulw

Hmm. Maybe I'm just becoming too cheap?? :rolleyes:

I don't NEED it, since I already have a few cards and will never fill them all ... ok, a week on holidays would probably fill them all.

I guess I can wait.

Beano

7dayshop.com have the 2GB Extreme IV for £35 + shipping of £3.95. Works out at less than €60 shipped. They have a 4GB Extreme III for only £41.