s2 IS and 4GB SD card

[sashablank]

I am considering to buy canon S2 IS to use for both Still and video.
With Motion JPEG encoding I would need at least 4GB card to have reasonable length movie. (in 4 fragment because of 1 GB movie length limit)
I've read that with low level format can not use 4GB card but without it someone was able to use it (they mention that they see 1536 pictures left in highest quality settings).
I wonder if it is just info on the camera that the card has 4GB or actually all
4GB is available. (that means that camera can use FAT 32).

Yours Alex

[JTL]

Hey Alex...

I use a 4GB Transcend SD card in my S2...and it has worked for three months without any issues.

I have successfully shot 4 consecutive 8-minute videos on the card and then later stitched them together to make a short film. Just remember (as you already know)...don't low-level format the card...

[amimaija]

How much does this 4 gb sd card cost and where do u get it? What is and when do you use low level formatting?

[JTL]

How much does this 4 gb sd card cost and where do u get it? What is and when do you use low level formatting?Here you go...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820163159&ATT=20-163-159&CMP=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r

A low-level format places ID markers defining the writeable areas of the media, how the sectors are laid-out, how addressable memory is allocated, sets up the file system and erases all data from the partition.

A regular or high-level format erases the file pointers/directory structure and sets up the file system. The actual data is not erased, but is over-written as new files are written to the media.

On the current crop of Canon P&S cameras, you can not low-level format an SD card greater than 2GB. That's because the low-level format uses FAT 16 which has an addressable memory/partition size limit of 2048MB. This was done to maintain compatibility with Windows 95 and ME. But, the cameras can read a high-level formatted card fine and so can Windows XP. So, for me, it's not an issue...

You format the card from a Menu option on the camera (page 21 of the S2 manual).

[amimaija]

Oh, ok thanx. I want a 4 Gb Sd card before I go on the next vacation...It is a better buy than buying 4, 1 Gb cards, and as it was said, the video is utilized better this way. Also the storage space would be wonderful.
I have been low format, reformating my 1 gb SD card..instead of erasing all the files is this the best way?
Thanx again..
amimaija

[ktixx]

If a 4gb Card is going to cost you $250...why don't you just buy a mini DV camcorder? Samsung SCD-353 - $199.99 after rebate (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=369739&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation) Plus the tapes are $2.80 for 60/90 minutes (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=369739&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation)- and the video will certainly be better...Just my opinon...
Ken

[amimaija]

Good idea but I use it more for still shots...

[ktixx]

Good idea but I use it more for still shots...
Well I wasn't saying scrap the camera. I was saying get the camcorder ($200) Get the Tapes (~$5) and get a 1GB SD Card (~$70). For a total of ~$275 you could have great pictures and great video. A 1GB Card will get you about 336 Pictures, do you really think you are going to take more that that in one photo session?
Ken

[JimBollman]

And carry two cameras around and juggle which you need to use for a given shot, instead of pushing the movie button for the times you want a video clip.

I have a S2 and a SD300 and find the video to be very good on both when I need video and I don't have to lug a video camera for the times I may need one. Most of the times I have used the video mode I would not have had a dedicated movie camera with me, because I could not have guessed I would need one.

Jim...

[amimaija]

Well I wasn't saying scrap the camera. I was saying get the camcorder ($200) Get the Tapes (~$5) and get a 1GB SD Card (~$70). For a total of ~$275 you could have great pictures and great video. A 1GB Card will get you about 336 Pictures, do you really think you are going to take more that that in one photo session?
Ken

I need a lot of storage when I go on vacation mostly for still shots...I don't have a laptop or storage media to unload the pics off on to....Maybe a storage media would be a good way to go. I have been trying to figure out the best way to store around 10 Gb or so. You never really know how much you need and how much you can delete when you are gone from home for 2 weeks, I use the continus mode a lot and do get some duplicates, I do delete as I go but the keepers ad up....a laptop would be nice for storage till I got home to dump them on my computer, but expensive. storage media has about 30 gb storage..what do u guys do? I know just don't take as many pictures, right. I thought a few 4 Gb cards would help me keep them stored while on vacation...but then that adds up I might as well get a laptop.. or storage media..

[JTL]

A 1GB Card will get you about 336 Pictures, do you really think you are going to take more that that in one photo session?
KenHey Ken...

When I was hiking around the Sedona Area in late summer, I had a 2GB card in my camera...3/4 of the way through one my longer hikes (10-plus miles), I ran out space. So, there I was on a ledge, trying to delete photos from earlier in the day. I also would not have wanted to be searching for an additional memory card and replacing it while so precariously balanced...so when I got home, I ordered a 4GB card! :D

[docker]

From JTL........A low-level format places ID markers defining the writeable areas of the media, how the sectors are laid-out, how addressable memory is allocated, sets up the file system and erases all data from the partition.

From JTL........A regular or high-level format erases the file pointers/directory structure and sets up the file system. The actual data is not erased, but is over-written as new files are written to the media.

:confused: A question re low-level format. Is there a disadvantage/advantage to low level format each time I dump the card onto the computer? For that matter is there a need to low-level format at all unless the camera is slowing down? I have a 1G card in my S2 IS.

Thanks in advance.

Chris

[JTL]

From JTL........A low-level format places ID markers defining the writeable areas of the media, how the sectors are laid-out, how addressable memory is allocated, sets up the file system and erases all data from the partition.

From JTL........A regular or high-level format erases the file pointers/directory structure and sets up the file system. The actual data is not erased, but is over-written as new files are written to the media.

:confused: A question re low-level format. Is there a disadvantage/advantage to low level format each time I dump the card onto the computer? For that matter is there a need to low-level format at all unless the camera is slowing down? I have a 1G card in my S2 IS.

Thanks in advance.

ChrisThere's definitely no need to low-level format the card each time...although doing so should not cause any harm. It's possible over time that areas of the card can become corrupted and a low-level format will be required. A low-level format will also mark any bad sectors and exclude those areas. There are some (rare) cases where the "secure" area of an SD card can become damaged/corrupted in which case the card will fail and not even a low-level format will fix it.

I guess I should warn those interested that there is a risk in using a 4GB card that can not be low-level formatted in the camera because there are some data corruption issues that can only be fixed by a low-level format. And since you can't low-level format a 4GB SD card in the S2 (or any current Canon P&S that uses SD cards) you are taking a chance.

[docker]

:D Thanks JTL, that was helpful. I guess I will continue to low level format at the end of each major download as it doesn't take much extra time. It also seems there are at least potential issues with a 4G card so I will avoid that for the near future.

[ale_g]

Hi.
Archos has a whole lot of products that will give you from 20 Gb to 100Gb storage + MP3 player, video player (and even recording) depending on the Archos model.
They have a USB host feature that allows you to connect the camera straight to the archos device and use it as if it were a laptop.

B. Regards
Ale_G:)

[amimaija]

Hi.
Archos has a whole lot of products that will give you from 20 Gb to 100Gb storage + MP3 player, video player (and even recording) depending on the Archos model.
They have a USB host feature that allows you to connect the camera straight to the archos device and use it as if it were a laptop.

B. Regards
Ale_G:)


I thank you very much...You have really helped me I have been trying to figure it out

[amimaija]

http://www.ecost.com

Is a cheap place to get 4gb sd cards

[chrisl]

So I've read this thread.
I'm about to get an S3.
I'm going to purchase the Transcend 4GB as that card seems to work with the S2/3 as well as the Garmin Nuvi GPS.
What I'm confused about is the low level format.
Is that different than when you format from my computer in Win XP or when you format from the menu option?
Is there a specific place that says low level format vs. just format?

[Setter Dog]

I need a lot of storage when I go on vacation mostly for still shots...I don't have a laptop or storage media to unload the pics off on to....Maybe a storage media would be a good way to go. I have been trying to figure out the best way to store around 10 Gb or so. You never really know how much you need and how much you can delete when you are gone from home for 2 weeks, I use the continus mode a lot and do get some duplicates, I do delete as I go but the keepers ad up....a laptop would be nice for storage till I got home to dump them on my computer, but expensive. storage media has about 30 gb storage..what do u guys do? I know just don't take as many pictures, right. I thought a few 4 Gb cards would help me keep them stored while on vacation...but then that adds up I might as well get a laptop.. or storage media..

I have a similar problem that I'm working around in my head right now. I shoot a lot of small video clips of my bird dogs in the field each hunting season, then take the highlights and make a DVD for a few friends and my own pleasure. I've been using 1GB cards in a Sanyo C5 which gives me 41 min of video,......but I've changed to a Canon A710 which is only 8 minutes on a 1GB card. To have the same flexibility that I have had in the past, I will need a couple of 4GB cards. I'm presently watching for sales etc. I've been using Sandisk but am not locked into any brand. I do, howver, value reliability in these things.

[chrisl]

Setter,

I bought the Transcend 4GB for my S3 and it works fine. Like I said in my previous post above this model seems to have the most compatability with multiple devices. I also have a Sanyo C4 and I just tried the 4GB in it and the C4 wouldn't recognize it even after a full format.
I'm going on a 3wk vacation and what I did was buy 2 additional 2GB Transcend cards. This was strictly for safety reasons as you're always taking a risk with 4GB SD cards of any brand unless they are the new SD-HC cards but they don't work in the older devices.

Chris

[amimaija]

How much does this 4 gb sd card cost and where do u get it? What is and when do you use low level formatting?

i get mine at ecost.com onsale inthe bargin bin....transdsend or patriot....