CF or SD

[Rhys]

I see that SD is available in 2GB sizes at prices comparable to CF.

I also see that many new dSLRs are coming out with SD support as opposed to CF.

Does this perhaps mean that SD might become more common in dSLRs or is it just going to be restricted to the wierd few?

I find that while the advantage of a larger card is that it's less easy to misplace, the portability of smaller cards is advantageous. I remember travelling around Europe with one shirt pocket stuffed full with spare batteries and compact flash cards. Had I been using Smart Media then I would have had a little stack of cards about 1/2" thick rather than several larger cards taped together in batches of 4.

Currently, 16mp seems to be the top end for dSLRs and I would imagine this will be the standard in about 2 years time. The top RAW size would (I imagine) be about 16MB and the top JPEG would be about 8MB. That means that each 2GB card would hold 125 - 250 photos. That seems a reasonable quantity for a single card.

[jeisner]

I think more SD will appear especially in consumer DSLR, or maybe dual slot??

BTW all CF cameras can use SD cards ATM...

http://www.mittoni.com.au/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/1238

[TheObiJuan]

CF all the way. The cards are big enough so they don't get lost, and small enough so they aren't too noticeable.

I would like the option of both cards being in the camera, like the 1D series. Redundancy is great.

[Rhys]

CF all the way. The cards are big enough so they don't get lost, and small enough so they aren't too noticeable.

I would like the option of both cards being in the camera, like the 1D series. Redundancy is great.

I like multi-format cameras too. It's so handy to be able to use any card you can lay your hands on. If the camera could transfer images between cards of different types then that'd be even better!

[erichlund]

CF. I don't remember where I read this, but a test was done on CF cards to see if they could be destroyed. They were cooked in a hot oven, soaked in water and ground underfoot. I don't remember what other things were done, but they were pretty much proven indestructable in normal use. Of course, there's simple failure of the electronics, but I don't think that's a major problem if you are careful about the brand you buy, and I suspect there's no advantage to SD in this area.

Cheers,
Eric

[jeisner]

CF. I don't remember where I read this, but a test was done on CF cards to see if they could be destroyed. They were cooked in a hot oven, soaked in water and ground underfoot. I don't remember what other things were done, but they were pretty much proven indestructable in normal use. Of course, there's simple failure of the electronics, but I don't think that's a major problem if you are careful about the brand you buy, and I suspect there's no advantage to SD in this area.

Cheers,
Eric

Yeah one of the PC magazines did that here with CF and SD they were both capable of being abused very badly and still work... Shooting an arrow through them did destroy them though LOL

[ProblemSolver]

ADVANTAGES:

CF cards
-Large capacity (8GB)
-Generally faster than SD
-More tough looking

SD cards
-Small and portable
-High-speed versions available like CFs
-Lock/unlock switch
-Usable in CF using cameras via adapter

DISADVANTAGES:

CF cards
-Not for very compact cams (Like the Canon SD400)
-Cameras need to be FAT32 compatible to utilize high capacity cards (2GB and above)
-Lock/unlock switch could actually be fitted in
-Too large in size to be used with an adapter with other cards

SD cards
-Easily bent
-Small capacity (2GB)
-Slow developing (Unless an 8GB SD is being developed)

Overall, I think SDs win as 2GB is practical with cameras 5-8MP nowadays and SDs can be used with a CF card adapter

[jeisner]

-Small capacity (2GB)

4GD have been released already, but probably still slowly filtering into stores...

[ProblemSolver]

4GD have been released already, but probably still slowly filtering into stores...

There are 4 GB cards :D ? Which brand makes them? I usually get Sandisk cards but Sandisk doesn't make SD cards above 2GB (for now)

[Rhys]

Are 4gb cards really a necessity? I think 120+ photos on a single card is sufficient risk.

Actually, if all cameras were made with built-in memory for 10,000 photos then there'd be no need ever for memory cards. We could just plug the camera into the USB or firewire port and download all that way. Of course, I prefer to spread the risk...