Memory stick advice

[srbk]

I have ordered a camera online and am now looking to buy a memory stick. But I have got a bit confused by the variety out there. I am getting a Sony cybershot, so was looking at Sony media, and there seem to be so many terms and nothing to explain the differences (I have looked online). If I got a 512mb 'duo' stick does that mean there is 512mb on each side? Or just 256mb? And also does a faster card (ie. 'pro' or 'high speed') mean that there will be less shutter lag, or what exactly does that mean? And finally is there anything that makes Sony cards better, faster or more compatible than Sandisk, which appear cheaper?

Thanks for any help!

[d-jay]

srbk.

Yes there are many different types of memory stick out there, I have recently been looking into them too and this is what I have learned:

There are two main types of memory stick: "memory stick" and "memory stick pro". My understanding is that the pro is quicker as far as transfer and storing is concerned.

Then both of these are available as "duo" (i.e. memory stick duo and memory stick pro duo). The duo just means that the memory stick is half the size of a regular memory stick.
However most if not all of these come with adapters which allow you to use them in devices that use regular sized memory sticks.

Now Sony put out memory stick pros in a "high speed" version in both the regular and and duo sizes. And Sandisk puts out the "Ultra II" (which I believe is in the same league as the "high speed") and then the "Extreme III" which is supposedly about twice as fast again (I don't believe sony has a match for this).
This just means that it will be quicker again than the pro. This shouldn't have any effect on the shutter speed that is a camera setting. It will, however effect the amount of time that it takes the camera to store the image once it is taken.
It will also effect the time it takes to download your memory stick to a computer (depending on the device you download through).

I don't believe that there would be much that seperates the sony and sandisk cards. Sandisk are one of the larger manufacturers of memory cards and make all sorts of memory, and I should imagine that they make them well.

Hope this answers your question somewhat.

[srbk]

Thanks a lot, that was very helpful and answered my question more than somewhat ;) . I guess I'll go with a Sandisk pro for now and may try out one of the higher speed ones next time I buy. Thanks again!