Novice memory question.

[mike62]

I have an older Minolta that uses CF memory. My new Fuji will use either the xD picture card or CF/Microdrive. My question basically is the CF/Microdrive the same thing as a CF card? When I see ads for CF memory it will work in any camera that takes CF right? Is the word "microdrive" just a newer term for a larger size or what?

Thanks for the help awaiting an answer before I purchase memory. I have never used Toshiba but saw Office Max has 1G after rebates for like $49.00 which is a great price if Toshiba is any good.

Thanks for any help.

[ktixx]

A Microdrive is exactly what it sounds like...a micro hard drive. They were initially developed when CF memory was only available in the 512/1GB and were a great thing as they came in 2GB sizes. However now with the progress of technology, with standard CF memory available up to 8GB, Microdrives are not as popular. Microdrives take up more power and also are not nearly as reliable as normal CF memory.
Ken

[mike62]

A Microdrive is exactly what it sounds like...a micro hard drive. They were initially developed when CF memory was only available in the 512/1GB and were a great thing as they came in 2GB sizes. However now with the progress of technology, with standard CF memory available up to 8GB, Microdrives are not as popular. Microdrives take up more power and also are not nearly as reliable as normal CF memory.
Ken

If this camera (Fuji S9000) will take an xD picture card OR a CF/Microdrive does that mean the CF portion must be a microdrive or it would accept ANY CF memory UP TO a microdrive?

[erichlund]

Your best bet would be to forget the word microdrive. They are slow, they use a lot of power, and they are much more fragile than a CF card. CF stands for Compact Flash, where flash memory is memory that retains it's value when the power is removed. However, it has no moving parts and is very fast and durable. Both CF cards and microdrives have the same package and the same interface, so they can be used interchangeably, but CF cards are the better choice where it comes to cameras.

[mike62]

Your best bet would be to forget the word microdrive. They are slow, they use a lot of power, and they are much more fragile than a CF card. CF stands for Compact Flash, where flash memory is memory that retains it's value when the power is removed. However, it has no moving parts and is very fast and durable. Both CF cards and microdrives have the same package and the same interface, so they can be used interchangeably, but CF cards are the better choice where it comes to cameras.

Thanks for the advice on the microdrives I will avoid them I just wanted to be sure they were interchangeable which apparently they are. I will stick with the CFII cards. Thanks again.