SD card "class" speeds

[flameshots]

Just how much difference is there in buffering speed between say a class 4 and a class 10? I know it's a loaded question but is there enough difference to justify the added money?

Flame suit on, and thank you for any input.

Marc.

 

[Overread20]

Yes and no.

For your camera body the difference in card speeds will be relevant only up to the limit of your cameras write speed. Once the card you put in has a speed equal to or greater than the cameras writing speed there is no further net advantage to the camera end of things. Your camera manual should detail at what speed your camera maxs out.

At the computer end faster cards will always result in a faster transfer rate from card to computer (provided you're using a good card reader - and not the camera). Of course in most cases the advantages here are small since most times you won't be pressured to upload as fast and the advantage in cost will be minimal for most people.

So typical advice is to get a card that allows you to write as fast as your camera can. Note that with DSLRs which can do video this is often needed for the best video recording performance. Slower speed cards can reduce the time duration of recordable videos or even render them impossible to record.

 

[stevod]

I think there's also variation within the class speeds. Search for a review of actual card speeds - there are lots of tests on the internet that have this info.

S

 

[flameshots]

Thanks for the help guys. Now where did I put that manual?!!

 

[KmH]

I keep my user's manuals in my camera bag.

 

[flameshots]

I keep my user's manuals in my camera bag.

Yeah, I keep mine there also. It was a feeble attempt at humor.

 

[johnh2005]

For the life of me I cannot find the write speed for my T3i =( Googled it, searched my owners manual and everything. /sigh its getting late.

 

[Drake]

I think there's also variation within the class speeds. Search for a review of actual card speeds - there are lots of tests on the internet that have this info.

S

Yup, it informs you only about the minimum speed. I have two class 4 cards. A Sandisk 4GB card, with average 4.5 mb/s write and 9mb/s read speed, and a Kingston 4GB which is exactly double the speed - about 9 mb/s write, 18 mb/s read. Both rated class 4.