SD Cards - brands?

[gavstar]

Hi All
Just got myself a Canon A620 and need a 1GB high speed SD card for it. Is it worth paying more for more expensive brands like Sandisk, or are the budget ones just as good? There seems to be quite a variation in prices.
Thanks chaps.

>> Edited by gavstar on Monday 6th February 16:40

[UKBob]

sorry to hijack, but what data transfer/speed rates do modern CF cards run at - which is the fastest, basically?

[simpo two]

UKBob said:

sorry to hijack, but what data transfer/speed rates do modern CF cards run at - which is the fastest, basically?

'1x' is 150Kb/sec. Then they go 8x, 40x, 80x etc.
However, in the real world your camera will probably be the limiting factor: 40x works fine on my D70 and I've just got another 2Gb as it's cheaper than 80x.

[ehasler]

There's a performance database here

Personally, I'd stick with the well-known name brands like Sandisk, as I'd rather spend a few more quid than take the risk that I might lose images due to a sub-standard card.

[UKBob]

ehasler said:

Personally, I'd stick with the well-known name brands like Sandisk

Yup, I will too.

simpo two said:

UKBob said: sorry to hijack, but what data transfer/speed rates do modern CF cards run at - which is the fastest, basically? '1x' is 150Kb/sec. Then they go 8x, 40x, 80x etc. However, in the real world your camera will probably be the limiting factor: 40x works fine on my D70 and I've just got another 2Gb as it's cheaper than 80x.

Assuming the 20d replacement is going to be the 30d (you can tell what Im waiting for ) will the 30d "likely" run at 80x, or is 80x a brand new format which only cameras of the future will "likely" be able to harness. I know no one can say anything for sure as the camera hasnt been released yet, just wondering what the likely outcome will be.

I really regretted not buying a faster card last time round

[GetCarter]

I use the 133x Sandisk Extreme 3 on my Nikon. It's MILES quicker than the regular CF cards. I'd have thought any new decent Canon would write at at least 80x (but then, I thought I'd pass O level maths).

[size13]

simpo two said:

However, in the real world your camera will probably be the limiting factor: 40x works fine on my D70 and I've just got another 2Gb as it's cheaper than 80x.

Don't forget that if you use an external card reader, a fast card will be better even if the camera can't use all the speed.

[simpo two]

UKBob said:

is 80x a brand new format which only cameras of the future will "likely" be able to harness.

Not a new format, just faster, like a 52x CD writer is faster than a 32x CD writer. So you can put an 80x card in any CF camera, it just won't make the most of it.

If you assume that a 30D is going to be 12Mp, I guess a RAW file will be about 12Mb (based on my 6.1Mp Nikon giving 6Mb RAW files, though that's compressed). However, all DSLRS have buffers so you can squeeze off your shots at 5fps or whatever, and they troop through to the card. So internal buffer is equally important.

If most of your work is single shot (like mine), I don't think it's too important, but if you want to futureproof that's not a bad idea either. If you plan to use JPG for most of your work, then the speed is far less important as the buffer will hold more and they're much smaller files anyway.

NB Thinking about it, as your files may be twice the size of mine, maybe you'd better go for 80x. It's not just the writing, which the buffer helps with, but playing back.

>> Edited by simpo two on Tuesday 7th February 12:22

[UKBob]

simpo two said:

UKBob said: is 80x a brand new format which only cameras of the future will "likely" be able to harness. Not a new format, just faster, like a 52x CD writer is faster than a 32x CD writer. So you can put an 80x card in any CF camera, it just won't make the most of it.

I meant to say, is 80X a brand new "just released fastest speed" which even the latest cameras might not yet run at

[ehasler]

133x is the current fastest speed I think - the Sandisk Extreme III cards I believe are the quickest at the moment.

[gavstar]

So for a lowly Canon A620 - any need for high speed?