What SD Card Speed for 8MP Canon SD870is?

[DavidInNH]

Hi Folks:

I'm going to get at least one more SD card for my camera and was wondering what speed you phine phinned pholks use. Specifically, I'd like to be able to shoot the occasional piece of underwater video. Any idea what this camera would require to make the most of it? Thanks.

 

[diver 85]

I may be way off here but I don't think it matters---got an email(again) from buy.com for a 2 gb for $10, free shipping.....

Dane-Elec 2GB SD Secure Digital Card - DA-SD-2048 - Buy.com

 

[DavidInNH]

I think that it does matter. If the card is too slow, it will not keep up with the camera and after a period of time, the camera will stop taking the video. (That's what can limit the length of the clip.) If the card is fast enough, the only limit to the length of the video is the size of the card.

Thanks for the link though.

 

[Rynomar]

I use Sandisk Ultra II cards in my point and shoot and I have not had any problems with write speed. I have faster cards for my DSLR but I don't think that they are even necessary for the DSLR in most cases.

B&H Photo (B&H Photo Video | Digital Cameras, Camcorders) currently has 2GB Sandisk Extreme III SD cards for $29.95. I use the CF version of these cards in my DSLR with no problems and it sould work great with a point and shoot.

It looks like they also have a Sandisk 4GB Video SD SDHC card for $49.95. If you go this route, make sure that your camera can use SDHC cards. I think that most of the new cameras do but I am not sure.

If I remember correctly, I was getting about 250 pictures on a 2 GB card with my 30D (8 MP). I have a 4 GB card in my G7 and I can shoot tons of pictures and video without filling the card. I always start the day with an empty card and download at the end of the day. With the 4 GB card, I have been able to take a ton of pictures and some video over 4 dives and not fill the card up.

Prior to my current point and shoot setup I had a 6MP camera with a 1 GB card and I usually had the card filled up by the fourth dive.

Good luck and I hope this helps.

 

[HowDidIGetIntoThis?]

I've used Extreme III's and plain vanilla Lexar's in my A720. I can't tell the difference in write speed and have had no issues shooting movie clips.

 

[Rynomar]

Another thing to think about is with the current price of memory cards, think about getting cards that you could use in your next camera. With camera technology changing as quickly as it does, write speed and size might be the limiting factor in using a card in a camera. On the other hand, cards are cheap now and it is easy to pick up another card.

 

[Bonuss]

I bought the 870is and the Sandisk "new faster" card, cant remember the rating but was within last 60 days. seems to be pretty fast, still a delay compared to conventional but allot faster than my older models.

Bob in CO

 

[Noboundaries]

I use San Disk Ultra II 2 GB's in my 12 mp Casio point and shoot. They work fine. The camera can handle 4 GB cards, the Ultra IIIs, and the SDHCs, but what I have works fine. I have three cards. On the "normal" setting I can load 480 pics on the camera on one card; 252 on the"fine" setting. On the best movie setting I can get 10 minute video clips at a time, which is plenty for my uses.

If you shop carefully on e-bay you can find genuine San Disk Ultra IIs for about half what you'll pay anywhere else. There are plenty of fakes on there though, so be careful.

 

[alcina]

I use some el cheapo SD cards, some SanDisk Extreme (or are they Ultra's? can't remember) and some middle of the road ones.

It does not matter in my Canon A series cameras - they all work so close to the same that I never even bother to check which one I have in there. No problems with videos. No corruptions.

Pretty much any new card you buy is going to be fine. I personally wouldn't be dropping big bucks on them.

 

[DavidInNH]

Thanks to all for your responses. I ordered a 2GB Sandisk Ultra II last night from Amazon.com for $20. Seems that this should be fine for at least the short-term. About the same price I've seen 1GB cards and slower 2GB cards lately and for $20. and free shipping, not worth more shopping around. Thanks again all.