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View Full Version : CF vs. SD - what's the difference?


Big E
09-13-2007, 10:24 AM
I just picked up a P&S for my folks, and as w/ probably all P&S cameras, it uses the SD memory cards. Do all the DSLR's use CF cards? I know all the Canons do. So, what's the difference? I can't believe how tiny those SD cards are. But are they less reliable? Slower write speeds?
Gunder
09-13-2007, 12:25 PM
I just picked up a P&S for my folks, and as w/ probably all P&S cameras, it uses the SD memory cards. Do all the DSLR's use CF cards? I know all the Canons do. So, what's the difference? I can't believe how tiny those SD cards are. But are they less reliable? Slower write speeds?

CF cards are generally faster, while SD's are more idiot proof ( no pins to bend in the camera)
Big E
09-13-2007, 12:59 PM
CF cards are generally faster, while SD's are more idiot proof ( no pins to bend in the camera)
Excellent, that's what I was looking for. Thanks.
Cruiser
09-13-2007, 08:37 PM
Since we're talking about memory anyway, how does XD compare to Compactflash? Looks like I can get a 2GB Compactflash card with a 150X write speed for about $25 + shipping, whereas the XD cards don't seem to list speed ratings and cost about $15 more for the same amount of memory. The camera will accept both. WWMD?
Summit
09-13-2007, 08:40 PM
Olympus XD like Sony Memory Stick is a proprietary interface money grab and nothing more
Cruiser
09-13-2007, 08:45 PM
Olympus XD like Sony Memory Stick is a proprietary interface money grab and nothing more

I thought that might be it. :nonono2:

What's the deal with the write speeds? What does 100X, 200X, ect... translate to in terms of actual MB per second.
chuckh
09-14-2007, 09:40 AM
I thought that might be it. :nonono2:

What's the deal with the write speeds? What does 100X, 200X, ect... translate to in terms of actual MB per second.

Rob Galbraith maintains an active database of performance of various memory cards. Work safe:

http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=6007
focus
09-14-2007, 10:55 AM
I thought that might be it. :nonono2:

What's the deal with the write speeds? What does 100X, 200X, ect... translate to in terms of actual MB per second.

X ~ 150 KB/s.

Write speeds are expressed in terms of CD read/write speeds....I think, so not completely arbitrary, but may as well be.