Which memory card is best?

[Master Yoda]

After an exhaustive search I finally decided on which digital camera to purchase. The Canon PowerShot S2 IS I would like to be able to maximize the number of shots per second I can take when shooting in continuous mode and from what I understand the memory card plays a big role in this. I am pretty much set on getting a 1gb or larger memory card (the camera uses an SD card)now the last question to be answered is what brand and model memory card should I purchase for the best performance?

 

[dolbyman]

I'm happy with the speed of my "Kingston elite Pro" (Compact Flash and SD) cards

 

[dflye]

At least with the Sony camera I have (DSC-F828), the ability to shoot video at higher resolution or shoot a rapid series of pictures in burst mode depends upon the speed of the memory used.

The F828 has slots for two different cards, one the typical Sony memory stick, the other a CF slot. Recently upgraded to the 6GB Hitachi microdrive for the CF slot, wow does that hold a lot! Over a thousand 8-megapixel pictures without swapping memory sticks!

Basically, you need to check out the requirements of the camera, and the specifications on 3rd party memory, and make sure it is fast enough to support your needs.

 

[Woody13]

Steve says this;

"SD cards range in size from 16MB up to 4GB. As with other flash media, SD cards come in different transfer speed ratings. Most SD cards not marked "High Speed" or "Ultra High Speed" are probably only ~2Mb/s capable. The latest cards are capable of transferring data at 8-10Mb/s such as the ATP 60x, SanDisk Ultra III or Extreme cards. Transfer speed is an important factor if you record high framerate motion video or high quality audio tracks. Many digital camera makers only certify their 30fps VGA motion video capability when using "high speed" SD cards."

 

[mrtoad]

After an exhaustive search I finally decided on which digital camera to purchase. The Canon PowerShot S2 IS I would like to be able to maximize the number of shots per second I can take when shooting in continuous mode and from what I understand the memory card plays a big role in this. I am pretty much set on getting a 1gb or larger memory card (the camera uses an SD card)now the last question to be answered is what brand and model memory card should I purchase for the best performance?

I would either get a Lexar or Sandisk. Buy whatever their fastest is unless it goes over your budget. Even it your camera can't take full advantage of the speed your next camera might. Also both of those companies on their high end cards offer a lifetime guarantee on the cards vs. 5 years on the lower end cards.

 

[wannab@dis]

I have one of the "high speed" Lexar CF cards and it did make a difference in the time between shots. SanDisk also makes good cards.

Just a word of caution from experience. Try to get several smaller cards instead of one gigantic card. I had one card that quit working for me on vacation. I couldn't make any more pictures that day and had to go buy another card to use. I was able to get the pictures off with a recovery program, but I learned a valuable lesson that other's have found out also.

It's best to have 3 or 4 256MB cards. If one messes up or you lose one, then you still have others to use and/or get pictures from. I use two cards (128/256) and transfer pictures every night.

 

[Woody13]

Just a word of caution from experience. Try to get several smaller cards instead of one gigantic card. I had one card that quit working for me on vacation. I couldn't make any more pictures that day and had to go buy another card to use. I was able to get the pictures off with a recovery program, but I learned a valuable lesson that other's have found out also.

It's best to have 3 or 4 256MB cards. If one messes up or you lose one, then you still have others to use and/or get pictures from. I use two cards (128/256) and transfer pictures every night.

I concur. That is excellent advice. The biggest card I have is 512 MB.

 

[Master Yoda]

I definitely agree about not putting all your eggs in one basket but initially I'm going to have to take the risk of the larger card (1GB). I don't have a laptop to transfer pictures to and have zero plans of ever getting one. And of course when I finally found out which card would best suit my needs I had to discover another camera that is a little better in some areas and not as good in a few others so the camera decision is up in the air again. The two I'm looking at are the Canon S2 IS and the Sony DSC-H1 Right now the Canon is slightly edging out the Sony because it shoots about 1 fps faster in continuous mode. Any opinions would be most helpful.

 

[mrtoad]

I definitely agree about not putting all your eggs in one basket but initially I'm going to have to take the risk of the larger card (1GB). I don't have a laptop to transfer pictures to and have zero plans of ever getting one. And of course when I finally found out which card would best suit my needs I had to discover another camera that is a little better in some areas and not as good in a few others so the camera decision is up in the air again. The two I'm looking at are the Canon S2 IS and the Sony DSC-H1 Right now the Canon is slightly edging out the Sony because it shoots about 1 fps faster in continuous mode. Any opinions would be most helpful.

My advise is stick to the Canon. I tried Sony and they over sharpen in the camera and give some jaggy edges. I don't have the particular Canon you are looking at but have been very satisfied with the ones I have owned and currently own.

 

[The_CEO]

It seriously depends on how much you are wanting to spend. There is an 8 GB I believe for 600 + dollars. But it would be better to buy smaller cards 1GB or 2.

 

[MotoDisney]

I have the Canon and am very happy with my Sandisk Extreme 3 1 gig card. It's very fast and the camera shot to shot is really only limited by the flash cycle delay.

Moto

 

[PhotoDave219]

I completely endorce Lexar and only Lexar memory cards. Sandisk runs a close second.
Everyone else is a distanct, far off 3rd.