Maximum GB Question

[WALABOOM]

I bought my first real camera, almost a year ago. I purchased the Canon
A540. It has met and passed my expectations. This year however, I wish to do more. I go to a lot of museums, airshows, etc. and want to start using the camcorder feature of my camera. To record video clips. I have only used 1 GB cards, but wish to use the 2 GB cards for obvious reasons. Can my camera use the 2 GB cards?? My instruction booklet says, 1 GB maximum, however, I thought possibly on the internet once I read that it was 2. I have faxed Canon and a tech-guy e-mailed me back and said a standard 2 GB card will work fine: nice to hear... I guess I would just ask for opinions out there.
Has anybody used their A540 with a 2 GB card?? If so, how has it worked for you?? Any comments welcomed. WALABOOM.

[David Metsky]

Yes, a friend has an A540 and she uses a 2G card. There's no reason that a 2G card would cause any problems because the controller for SD cards in on the card, not the cameras.

[Beowulff]

From Steve's Digicams review:

"The Powershot A540 is equipped with a Secure Digital card slot and comes with a Canon 16MB MMC card. It can handle any capacity SD or MMC card up to 2GB."


Cheers :)

[Visual Reality]

That's what they say about my S3 IS and D80 too - but my 4GB cards work in both.

[David Metsky]

4G cards are kind of a hybrid since the SD format really only is supposed to address 2G of data. They do work, but some card readers or cameras may have problems with them. If you're going to go to 4G I'd go with an SDHC, but the A540 doesn't support SDHC.

[Visual Reality]

Right, hence the use of the 4G SD cards ;)

It was the cheapest way to have 4Gb on a single card when I got them.

[WALABOOM]

Thanks again for the info and imput! I can always count on good information being delivered, especially to those of us who are relatively new to digital cameras. I think I will try ordering some from Newegg. I have not ordered from them yet. From what I've heard they are quite a good. Any suggestions on standard 2GB SD cards?? I have looked and there are quite a few to choose from, even at quite low or reasonable prices. Any brands to stay away from, or to choose, for that matter?? Any comments welcomed. Thanks WALABOOM.

[David Metsky]

Memory cards are commodities, the specs are more important then the brand. Having said that I have a suspicion about the lowest cost offerings, so I tend to buy the second cheapest model with my specs. The last ones I bought were Transcend 2G and they've worked just fine for 2 years.

For the A540 anything over 60x isn't needed, but you may find 150x cards for just a buck or two more. That can help download speeds if you use a card reader but won't help when shooting.

[WALABOOM]

Thanks again for the info. You must be a mind reader because the part of your message regarding 40x, 60x, 150x, etc. was something I had forgot to ask and was going to do today. Thanks. WALABOOM.

[WALABOOM]

I had a couple of final questions that I would like to ask. I had followed the guidelines of not buying the cheapest 2GB card, but the second cheapest.
I find the Transcend 2GB, with 133x at $11.99 as the second cheapest. The lowest Transcend at $7.99; big difference. The A-Data is curious. It has three prices: $7.79, $7.99, and $8.99 as the most expensive. The pricier of the three, the A-Data Turbo is 150x, lifetime limited on parts and labor. Sounds great! Huge difference in prices between the two brands; $11.99 vs. $8.99. The student in me wants to save the money or use it to buy an extra 2GB card. Is A-Data a well respected brand?? Still new to the names, I really don't know the fine points of one from the other. If anyone has an opinion on this brand, "A-Data", it would be appreciated. Thanks, WALABOOM.

[griptape]

I have a couple 8GB AData CF cards, and a 4GB AData SD card, and two sticks of 1GB AData ram that has been running problem free in my PC for almost 3 years. I say go for it.

[WALABOOM]

Thanks for the imput. It's good to hear from someone who uses the product.
I have heard of Transcend a lot more than A-Data, and was wondering about the comparison. I would spent a little more to get a more reliable product, but if this is a good company that just happens to have a good deal I might as well go for it. Their lowest price 2 GB SD card was $7.79, so I am buying their more expensive product anyway at $8.99. Thanks again, WALABOOM.