SD card for S2

[thelemming47]

Just purchased an S2 to compliment my A70, does anyone have any preferences on SD cards (manufacturers) and transfer speeds needed in continuous shooting mode. I can't find the actual numbers in the book or on their site but is it as simple as frame rate x file size (2.4 x 1395 = 3348 kb/s)where 1395 kb is the estimated file size according to the user guide.

Thanks, Shane...

[TampaJim]

I use Sandisk Ultra II cards, they work great. No problems with continuous shooting at the highest resolution, no problems in movie mode and fast file transfer to my PC through my card reader (hundreds of shots downloaded in a very very short time). The card comes with a lifetime warranty and unlimited technical support. They come in two varieties - regular and USB. The Ultra II Plus (USB) has a built in USB connector - pretty handy if you are going to use it with a laptop, video pod, PC without card reader - otherwise, the regular kind works as well.

In addition, the Lexar Professional are nice cards.

People will tell you that the brand doesn't matter - go for the cheapest. I find this to be potentially true from a technology standpoint, but almost never true from a support/warranty standpoint. Cheap manufacturers have to cut costs somewhere - it is a simple law of economics.

If you are a Costco member, they typically have very good prices on name brand cards. I last purchased a Sandisk Ultra II 1GB card on sale there for $68.

[mkrzych]

I use Sandisk Ultra II cards, they work great. No problems with continuous shooting at the highest resolution, no problems in movie mode and fast file transfer to my PC through my card reader (hundreds of shots downloaded in a very very short time). The card comes with a lifetime warranty and unlimited technical support. They come in two varieties - regular and USB. The Ultra II Plus (USB) has a built in USB connector - pretty handy if you are going to use it with a laptop, video pod, PC without card reader - otherwise, the regular kind works as well.

In addition, the Lexar Professional are nice cards.

People will tell you that the brand doesn't matter - go for the cheapest. I find this to be potentially true from a technology standpoint, but almost never true from a support/warranty standpoint. Cheap manufacturers have to cut costs somewhere - it is a simple law of economics.

If you are a Costco member, they typically have very good prices on name brand cards. I last purchased a Sandisk Ultra II 1GB card on sale there for $68.

Another things which came to my mind is media inferface in your digital camera. I don't know exactly what are the common transfer values but I think that even you buy fastest card on the market your camera can have some limitation. If it's true, only one reason to get fastest card is speed during PC transfer?! What do you think guys?

Cheers,
Krzysztof Maj

[GoodAsGold]

I also have the A70 and have really liked it. I just got the S2 for Xmas, but so far haven't tried it out. I just got the Nimh batteries today and they're charging. Also bought a SanDisk 512 and 1GB SD card. Should be here soon.

You know, the main reason I wanted the S2 is for the zoom. If I could have found a way to have that much zoom on my A70 I wouldn't have bought the S2. Truth be known, I'm kinda lazy about learning this camera. :rolleyes: I just haven't wanted to take the time yet to sit down with the manual to figure it all out. In fact, even with my A70 I only use the Auto and have never tried the video part of it. But, then I have an Elan lle SLR film camera that I've never really used the manual features on, either. Sheesh. :o

I do WANT to learn about the S2, though! But, I will freely admit that I want mostly to use it as a point and shoot in Auto mode. I like quick and simple. It's nice to have all the creative manual features, though. And, maybe someday I'll be more adventurous and give them a try! :D


Just purchased an S2 to compliment my A70, does anyone have any preferences on SD cards (manufacturers) and transfer speeds needed in continuous shooting mode. I can't find the actual numbers in the book or on their site but is it as simple as frame rate x file size (2.4 x 1395 = 3348 kb/s)where 1395 kb is the estimated file size according to the user guide.

Thanks, Shane...

[Skylark]

Just purchased an S2 to compliment my A70, does anyone have any preferences on SD cards (manufacturers) and transfer speeds needed in continuous shooting mode. I can't find the actual numbers in the book or on their site but is it as simple as frame rate x file size (2.4 x 1395 = 3348 kb/s)where 1395 kb is the estimated file size according to the user guide.
Thanks, Shane...
The way I figure it is there are 4 reasons to buy fast memory cards for a camera.

1. Fast enough to shoot in continuous mode until the memory card is full (or release the shutter button). No busy after about 5 shots.

2. Fast enough to shoot at maximum resolution and frame rate in video mode.

3. Faster download from camera to computer.

4. Can use fast card in future cameras or devices.

With these reasons in mind, I bought two 512 MB Patriot Extreme Performance 60x memory cards from NewEgg for about $31 each. They both work great with the SD550. With the SD memory card that came with our SD550, the camera gives a busy message after about 5 or 6 continuous mode shots. Using the Patriot extreme cards, I can shoot continuously until I release the shutter button (though I only shot about 10-12 frames while testing).

Hope this helps you out,
Skylark