Compact Flash or XD?

[minicoop1985]

Hi there everyone. I've got an Olympus EVOLT E-450 that can take two types of media-CF and XD cards. This is my first DSLR, and I was wondering... Which media do you think would suit the needs of a newbie like myself more in the future? I realize that CF seems to be getting phased out and generally seems to come in smaller sizes, but in my experience it's cheaper and easier to find than XD...?

 

[Big Mike]

I don't see that it would make much difference either way. I'm not familiar with XD cards and tend to like CF cards because they are larger and more robust.

 

[minicoop1985]

I think I may have answered my own question apart from what you mentioned, Big Mike-but that's a good point as well. It seems that XD cards only come in up to 2 gigs and the CF card I've ordered is 4. Since my EVOLT only can do 3.5 frames per second in burst mode, I don't think write speed will really be much of a concern. If it was doing 8-10, then I'd be worried about that. But all in all, considering I just ordered a 4 gig CF card for $8 and a 2 gig XD card is $30, I think that pretty much sums it up.

 

[Devinhullphoto]

My wife's first dslr was a model similar to this and she always used a CF. I don't see many things that use them anymore outside of her camera. Seems like SD cards are the standard for everything now.

 

[minicoop1985]

Yeah, that's what our Sony takes (along with MemorySticks). I really wish this thing did take them, but I can live with CF I think. When I upgrade I'll get something with a more mainstream storage system.

 

[Big Mike]

Most of the larger 'professional' DSLR cameras still take CF cards. Part of that may be that A LOT of people would be upset if they had to buy all new memory cards when upgrading to a new camera. Also, I think the fastest and largest cards are going to be CF.

But overall, they shift certainly has been toward smaller cards.

I remember some old digital cameras that would take a 2 1/4" floppy disk....or as kids these days would say: a save button.

 

[Devinhullphoto]

Most of the larger 'professional' DSLR cameras still take CF cards. Part of that may be that A LOT of people would be upset if they had to buy all new memory cards when upgrading to a new camera. Also, I think the fastest and largest cards are going to be CF.

But overall, they shift certainly has been toward smaller cards.

I remember some old digital cameras that would take a 2 1/4" floppy disk....or as kids these days would say: a save button.

I was looking at SD cards lay night and a 32gb was $38. A 8gb CF was $40. Any reason why?

 

[Big Mike]

There are several companies making and selling cards, each with their own line up with different names, speeds etc. On top of that, the retailers probably have quite a bit of leeway in how they price them.

 

[Devinhullphoto]

There are several companies making and selling cards, each with their own line up with different names, speeds etc. On top of that, the retailers probably have quite a bit of leeway in how they price them.

They were both Sandisk. I just wasn't sure if their bigger more sturdy size would raise the price.

 

[minicoop1985]

Most of the larger 'professional' DSLR cameras still take CF cards. Part of that may be that A LOT of people would be upset if they had to buy all new memory cards when upgrading to a new camera. Also, I think the fastest and largest cards are going to be CF.

But overall, they shift certainly has been toward smaller cards.

I remember some old digital cameras that would take a 2 1/4" floppy disk....or as kids these days would say: a save button.

I just found a Mavica sitting on the shelf at a Goodwill for $8 and had to wonder if it's even worth that. The size of those floppies and electronics required back then made for some incredibly ugly cameras.

I'm quite glad to read that more professional cameras are still using CF. That means there's hope that I'll be able to get cards for this thing for a while yet.

Devin, I've noticed the same thing. It makes little sense to me, but I have no idea what makes them so completely different, so it probably wouldn't.