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Battle of the Wi-Fi Cards: Eye-Fi and Transcend SDHC cards reviewed

Aug 29, 2013 at 04:34:55 GMT

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When capturing a high volume of images on a photo shoot, being able to wirelessly connect your camera to a smartphone, computer or to 'the cloud' has a lot of appeal. Wi-Fi can expedite workflow by allowing you to transfer image files remotely while on location and also negate the need for card readers or cables. It's easy to forget that your camera doesn't have to have Wi-Fi built-in to benefit from the advantages of connectivity. Wi-Fi capable SD memory cards have been around for a number of years, and they remain popular. In this article, we pit Eye-Fi's 16GB Pro X2 Wi-Fi SDHC card against the cheaper, higher-capacity Transcend 32GB Wi-Fi card and see which comes out on top.

Click here to read 'Battle of the Wi-Fi Cards: Eye-Fi vs. Transcend'

REVIEW EYE-FI TRANSCEND WI-FI

Comments

Total comments: 153

I've tried the EyeFi X2 pro Class 6 on at Nikon D7000.
I set up the Nikon to save *lowest* quality JPGs on the eye-fi slot.
I dunno about the class 10 but it takes 20-30 seconds to transfer the JPGs to my mac.

Wasn't good enough for me, unless Nikon introduces a way to save low-quality lowest rez JPGs while the RAWs are full rez.

0 upvotes

Too bad that the comments are limited to 1000 character so I can't really explain it in detail, but a few points are not 100% true.

- you can auto-download photos to your mobile device with the transcend (shuttersnitch supports it)

- you can auto-download / upload files from the transcend with your pc/mac/linux machine (a simple line of wget does it - the transcend is much easier to access than the eye-fi)

- in my evironment the eye-fi lost its connection pretty often and sometimes didn't want to reconnect

- the transcend can be setup just from a phone, was more tricky and complex with the eye-fi the first time

- for some reason the wifi speed of the transcend seems to be faster with android devices than iOS. Not sure why.

- the write speed of both is much slower than a cheap 45MB/s sandisk. Don't use it for sports, fast series or as a daily driver

I would recommend everyone to try both cards and keep the one which works best for _you_ and in _your_ wifi environment.

2 upvotes

Both Eye-Fi & Wi-Fi cards are Not available in India although it's extremely Needful & required item for Photojournalists & Fashion or Modelling photographers like me.

None of the camera OEM giant will allow to sale it globally as it may suffer the sales of them. Because these cards also emboss geo tagging without Costly OEM external devices.

www.RayPhoto.in

Comment edited 3 minutes after posting

1 upvote

I notice the caption 'Note geotagging capability' under the 'Eye-Fi Card settings' screen shot. With no further comment.

Does this work well? In fact, how does it work? I'd like to think that if I sent photos (JPEG) directly to my GPS enabled computer that the software would be able to add the data to the JPEG's metadata.

Has anybody used it / know how it works?

0 upvotes

It's a Wi-Fi based geotag system which is useless half the time.
http://support.eye.fi/software/problem/photos-not-geotagging/

1 upvote

I discovered the hard way that the Eye-Fi Pro card won't work in my Canon 60D when using Magic Lantern software. The camera locks up and has to be re-started by removing the battery (after removing the card).

Does anyone know if the Transcend card (or any other) will work with Magic Lantern?

1 upvote

I am having the same problem. Still trying to do research but it's not looking good. There's a bit about once you've loaded ML it' boot flag is unable to be removed from the eos's internal flash memory. The threads are very recent too, so the sitch is not looking promising.

1 upvote

Finally! A good review of these cards. Thanks so much.

Two questions:
How do these cards affect camera battery life?

If I set my camera to simultaneously save RAW + JPEG, can either card just upload the JPEG? (My cameras only have one memory card slot.)

1 upvote

I have a solution that you can wirelessly transfer files from your old SD cards to mobile phones/tablets -- use a RAVPower 5-in-1 wireless filehub. It works as a card reader, Wi-Fi hotspot, file server, media sharing device and a 3000mAh battery pack. Insert your SD card in the filehub, you will be able to transfer or share the files on it. My friends and I once used it to stream video on five devices at the same time, there was no problem. It's amazing. More than that, it saves life at some situation with it's battery pack.

2 upvotes

I would like to see Toshiba's Flash Air card added into the mix. Toshiba previously released a Class 6 8GB Flash Air SD card, and has recently released a 16GB Class 10 card. I have one of the 8GB cards I have just started experimenting with. But would like to see the new 16GB class 10 card reviewed.

I also wish the card makers and camera makers would develop a standard interface, so all could be supported. For example the Rebel SL1 has onboard support in the Canon firmware for Eye-Fi, but not the others. My Flash Air card works fine in the SL1, but without the direct Canon firmware support.

0 upvotes

Mike, a nice write-up. Long overdue, too.

Previously I could only find assorted Eye-Fi reviews, which were mostly concentrating on the point-and-shoot perspective, in other words: "OMG wi-fi! OMG instant facebook!" To see the cards working on the 5D3 is rather reassuring.

Otherwise, for a next review, you might consider adding:
- Impact on the battery life.
- How fast the actual SD card is? How fast can camera write to it?
- Compatibility with the cameras aka impact of camera's sleep on the Wi-Fi transfers. IIRC, not all cameras a compatible with Eye-Fi.

P.S. You might have added few more clicks/views to the article by starting it with something like "let me tell you the reason why there are no full-metal body cameras anymore." ;)

3 upvotes

For a synopsis of how fast it is in layperson's terms see my comment below. And the answers that Customer Support gave me when I called with my issues! :D

0 upvotes

Good for Eye-Fi... BUT the Transcend has been hacked, so it is possible (easy) to get access to it as a little Linux system with all the programmability that implies: http://haxit.blogspot.ch/2013/08/hacking-transcend-wifi-sd-cards.html

I haven't tested the Transcend yet, but I'm looking forward to running my own scripts in it. ;-) Incidentally, I've been using an Eye-Fi card for a couple of years to do live continuous downloads of a camera at a research exhibit, and it is good even talking to Linux (not officially supported), but has serious trouble dealing with heavily-loaded wi-fi situations (i.e., a computing conference exhibit floor).

2 upvotes

Another thing - openwrt guys working on port for transend card...

1 upvote

IMHO: The #1 missing feature(s) of the Eye-Fi cards is the inability to upload directly to a NAS device (bypassing the need for a laptop/desktop) and indirectly using a laptop and network file shares as targets. Switching from Access point mode to wireless AdHock and back is also rather painful. The card will (if your shooting slow enough or have long enough delay between the last shot(s) and attempts to open files on your laptop/desktop) however save you the step of cabling your camera to your laptop/desktop after shooting to transfer the files.
I have yet to test its ability to transfer different file types to two different devices at the same time. (display .jpg on Android device, .raw on WIN7)

It should be noted that it appears that both the Transend and the Eye-Fi's less expensive models use cheaper/slower "N" compatible "G" speed radios which explains why the X2-Pro's speeds were consistently 2x faster.

I wonder why they did not test+try out the other contenders in this space?

1 upvote

With the Trancend card you can upload NEF files to Google drive on your iPad. The files are then kept till you reconnect to the net and then the NEF files will be uploaded to Google drive. If only the iPad had more WIFi connections. Just saying.
I will test the possibility to upload to my computer direct. That is with the NEF files.

0 upvotes

"Clients love the ability to see the image right before them"

Yeah. So tether then.

1 upvote

Yeah. So do you have a 50-ft tethering cable? The last thing needed is yet another cable after the setup of the lights and laptop.

1 upvote

In an effort to make the eye fi card the best in this article the writer sums all the plus points. Added together it looks it is better than a special wifi transmitter that costs hundreds of dollars (ponds, euros, yen) Sending 3 pictures to different devices, will take so much time you can't view one, because the apparatus will constantly be busy transferring pictures. I wonder how long it takes to send one RAW picture from a Mark III to a laptop with the eye if card.
In my Nikon I have a Trancend 16 Gb card in slot 2 and I use it with my iPad (4gen) to see my pictures in basic quality. It works great. In the first slot is my 64 GB card, where I save my RAW, or should I say NEF files.

I think both the cards, eye fi and the Trancend are not for pro shooting, but can add an extra dimension when sharing pictures.

0 upvotes

Interesting. I’ve given up on both the Transcend and Eye-Fi cards.

I could never get the Transcend to connect reliably to my iPhone and the Eye-Fi card causes lockups in my 5D Mark III. I’ve read the “manuals” for both and the online FAQs and had nothing but problems.

The final nail in the coffin for Eye-Fi was when it got corrupted (luckily with no pictures on it). I put it into Lumix GX1 and a message flashed that the card was not compatible with the camera. Reformat the card and it still wouldn’t work in the camera. At least with the Transcend card I have a fast, reliable SD card.

Perhaps you could write more on how you got them to work reliably with your cameras and devices? Thanks.

As far as I’m concerned neither is ready for prime time.

Comment edited 2 minutes after posting

3 upvotes

Anything yet that will transfer directly to a computer or server via internet, without going through a third party server? I talked to Eye-Fi a couple weeks ago and they admitted they still couldn't do it. Had to go through their servers.

1 upvote

You mean that all file transfers from the Eye-fi card go through Eye-fi web servers?

0 upvotes

Mobi and Pro X2 (maybe some others) will connect direct without going through the servers if you set them up that way (but it's a fiddle and not very stable . . . IMHO) earlier cards have to connect through the servers . . . . but none of them worked for me with RAW files, reduced size/quality JPG files work OK but not if you are shooting fast . . . I would rate the transfer speeds as pedestrian at best

2 upvotes

"Had to go through their servers."

No you don't. There is free server code that I run under Linux to directly collect the images from the Eye-Fi card. It's pretty simple, but not officially supported.

2 upvotes

I like the idea of the Eye-Fi card but ....

I shoot in RAW on a Nikon which is designated as NEF and the Eye-Fi stopped transmitting my images. When I called customer support I had to explain what NEF was and I was told that NEF isn't a true RAW!!! I'm sure Nikon would be interested in hearing THAT! They also told me to shoot in JPEG and I won't have the problem. Ya think? Not acceptable as a solution!

BIGGEST flaw .. this card is not meant for shooting in burst mode which I do a lot for action shoots and birding. I lost so many shots while the card was checking for a wifi connection before saving the next image!!! Again customer support offered a lame solution .. don't shoot in burst mode.

All in all, it's a good card for casual shooting and shoots that need immediate transfers for editing on the spot but I took it out of my DSLR and now use it in my POS only.

Conclusion: Great idea but needs some upgrades.

5 upvotes

Can you shoot RAW + JPG and have the card transfer only the JPG files?

0 upvotes

If you have a camera with two card slots, you should be able to dedicate one slot for jpegs. So whether or not this is a supported feature of the card, it is possible.

0 upvotes

I'm assuming only one card slot.

0 upvotes

Yes, you can. In fact this is precisely what I do with an eye- fi card and my ipad

0 upvotes

When using the Trancend card, you can browse the jpeg files and leave the RAW files. When in the view mode, only the jpeg files will be uploaded for viewing.
I can upload the raw (NEF) files to google drive. These files are kept inside my iPad till I reconnect to the internet. Then they are uploaded to the cloud.

0 upvotes

Very consistant with my findings about the Eye Fi card:

http://www.pentaxforums.com/news/eye-fi-pro-x2-hands-on-report.html

0 upvotes

>I would recommend direct connect (card straight to device) rather than an ad-hoc<

I'm not clear what direct connect and ad-hoc mean. Where there is no wifi network available (many outside locations), how do you effectively transfer photos from the card to either an iPhone, iPad, other phone or tablet, or laptop wirelessly?

0 upvotes

The card itself creates its own wireless network using the battery life from the camera. On a mobile device or computer, all you have to do is find that network and connect to it.

The ad-hoc means that the card connects to a wireless internet connection that is shared with the mobile device or computer and files are transferred over that network. Therefore, if you have a slow router or slow internet connection, it will take longer.

That's why I recommend direct connect over the network that the Eye-Fi card puts out.

2 upvotes

If you are where you have a good wifi connection (fast), is it better to use the ad-hoc method?

0 upvotes

Am I correct that the author totally missed that the Transcend can also receive files through WiFi and save it on the card.

(cr2)|(srw)|(rwl)|(rw2)|(raw)|(pef)|(nrw)|(nef)|(kdc)|(k25)|(dcr)|(rf)|(sr2)|(arw)|(orf)).

Got both cards and I am using the EyeFi in combination with Shuttersnitch. This is because I don't want to wait 50 seconds before my iPad connects to the card but in less than 5 seconds. The penalty is that I have to stay on IOS 4.31 (JB) but then I use the iPad only for this so no need for newer stuff from Apple.

Comment edited 5 minutes after posting

1 upvote

nice review. to the point and not too long.

0 upvotes

great info. thnx for the review.

0 upvotes

Like this article, gets to the point.

0 upvotes

This article is so badly written that I could not stand reading it. Mike Perlman really, really needs to take a good writing class or two. Here is what I mean: Under the "Key Features" bullet list, he wrote for the Transcend, "Wirelessly transfer photos and video to a smartphone, tablet, or computer". There is no corresponding statement for the Eye-Fi. Very poor. Just a little further below, he wrote, "while both cards possess the ability to ... upload to iOS and Android devices, the Eye-Fi can do the same on a Wi-Fi enabled laptop or desktop computer. The Transcend card does not have this capability, and can only connect to a laptop or computer through a clunky and time-consuming Internet browser." Huh? The Transcend can connect using a browser, but does not have the ability to connect? Does the phrase "only connect" mean connect vs. something else, or does it mean "connect only to", and if the latter, is there a missing, very important comma before the word "through"?

2 upvotes

Mike Perlman may or may not need and good writing class - but you certainly need a lesson or two in manners and courtesy. Yours is a rude comment that didn't need to be written.

12 upvotes

If you concentrated on the content and not the form, you would have read an excellent and very useful review.

8 upvotes

So you're saying my writing was bad due to something that you saw as a contradiction? I stated that the only way the Transcend could connect to a computer was through a wireless internet connection—there's no direct connect function.

4 upvotes

What about connection time?

The problem I have with these cards is the short time that they stay connected and I find it a real pain, was this mentioned somewhere and I missed it?

Thanks!

1 upvote

What do you mean by connection time?

The Eye-Fi cards are very energy efficient; they simply connect to your laptop/smartphone for as long as is necessary to send all the files that have not yet been sent.

You can also configure the card, via the software, to hold on to a connection for a little longer if you wish.

And also, don't forget to set your camera's time-out settings for long enough to allow Eye-Fi transfers before the camera goes into sleep mode.

1 upvote

I have the EyeFi, the connection is started by first taking a picture and then you have to wait for your device to then see that there is a WiFi Network and then when you take a little time to recompose the connection drops and you start all over again...

1 upvote

Well, there must be something wrong with either your WiFi or the card you have; perhaps a firmware issue?

I have had no such problems (I am using two X2 Pro versions of the card).

What I have noticed though is that because the Eye-Fi card goes into Standby/Sleep mode if there has not been much activity, waking the card out that mode requires that you take a few shots or scroll through a few images in order to get transmission activity.

Once the card starts to transmit it will hold the WiFi connectionl for quite some time (for as long as you have configured it to in the desktop based setup utility).

I find the connection quite robust.

I suggest you go over to the Eye-Fi site's excellent support forum where you may get good advice on setting up your system to get a nicer user experience.

Regards,

plevyadophy

0 upvotes

Great review. However, it completely neglected the fact that these cards can share pictures to photo sharing sites. The Eye-Fi implementation of this is better than anything else I have encountered.

2 upvotes

I agree. I upload all my out takes to my Eye-Fi account and Eye-Fi sends all my photos to my out take gallery at SmugMug. All my photos are brought to a safe place completely automatic. I love Eye-Fi - especially when I travel. Everything is PRO.

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

1 upvote

Panasonic Lumix Club does the same thing, it can upload your photo to the sites of your choice all at once, and built in the camera too :p

0 upvotes

But I do not own a Panasonic.

The article was about cards not a Panasonic

0 upvotes

Nice to see this review. I have a mobi card and had been considering adding a Transcend. Guess I'll be getting another mobi for now.

1 upvote

Wonderful article...I just returned an EZ Share card that was not compatible with an OMD EM5. Given your information, I plan on purchasing the Eye-Fi.

Thank you.

1 upvote

I use the Eye-fi card with the OMD - works well, even has its own on/off switch in the menu.

1 upvote

@Artpt

http://support.eye.fi/cameras/

Click on vendor, click on specific camera, and the page would show particulars about compatibility of the card and the camera. There is an E-M5 compatibility note that basically says that E-M5 recognizes the Eye-Fi and knows what to do. IIRC earlier PENs had minor problems, but later Oly cams do support and recognize Eye-Fi fully.

0 upvotes

I see some people have run into problems setting up the Eye-Fi pro x2 - it is easier now than it was a year ago - but for 90% of people they would be better off buying the Eye-Fi Mobi...

1) It is cheaper
2) It has zero configuration

Its drawback is that it only works with smartphone and tablet devices rather than PC/MAC computers. However computers are basically for 'RAW' - wifi cards are too slow for RAW - and you are better of using your SD slot.

0 upvotes

I really don't get this whining by many people about the raw workflow being too slow.

How is that??

First it depends on the cam you are using. If you have say a 16Mpix cam, and are shooting raw only in a studio, I have found that by the time you have done about 5 to 10 or so shots and they have uploaded to your laptop, your clients are unlikely to have had time to assess the merits of ALL of those shots before the next batch of files are transferred to your laptop.

So just make sure you have a few shots head start before allowing others too look at the screen; that way you will be keeping pace with the onlookers.

If, prior to this Eye-Fi device coming to market, your workflow consisted of shooting and then waiting until you got back to base before downloading the raws, then I really can't see how this Eye-Fi workflow, which is doing the downloads whilst you are on location, can be deemed slow.

Now, once you start talking about Nikon D800 size raws, then maybe you will have issues.

1 upvote

I put my output from Sony and connects it to my Galaxy S3 or my Samsung Galaxy Tab. Why is it for ???? Why waste money ???? don´t you have a direct connection ???

0 upvotes

English?

3 upvotes

Just trying to help you ! Why are you so proud ??? Must the world to submmit to your stupid domination ???

1 upvote

I use a regular Eye-Fi (Pro) in my main camera Pentax K-01, and a cheap Sandisk 4Gb Eye-Fi in a Pentax K10D and Samsung WB2000. I think none of these cameras are on the official supported list, but all work nonetheless. Just delay the auto-shutdown and file away the on/off switch so you're card has enough time to upload.

A neat trick using these cards is to add an automatically created G+ photo album to a G+ event. All pics that are added that day to that album will be visible to all participant invites in realtime. You don't even need to refresh, new pictures appear on top of the event.

It would be nice if such use cases and tricks could be added to dpreview articles like this one..

0 upvotes

Such tips and tricks are found on the official Eye-Fi user forum

1 upvote

I would still like a CF Eye-Fi card :-). The fact that this is still not available, indicates that this is technically not possible - however, I do not understand why. Furthermore, I do not understand why nobody has developed an SD-CF adaptor that will facilitate Eye-Fi SD card usage, so you do not have to butcher the adaptor to not block the WiFi signal - even an adaptor that will somehow boost WiFi transmission. The WiFi solution offered by Nikon is just too expensive.

0 upvotes

they exist: CSL - High Speed CF Card Adapter | WiFi / Eye-Fi capable

http://www.amazon.de/CSL-Speed-Adaptercard-Eye-Fi-f%C3%A4hig/dp/B00DVK1YT2/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1377773974&sr=8-14&keywords=eye-fi

2 upvotes

I honestly dont know the answer to this.

There is a 5 year old thread on the Eye-Fi forum requesting a wifi CF that was totally ignored by the company.

Maybe patents?
Maybe software?

I also dont understand why noone has created a successful adapter.

0 upvotes

I have an 'Extreme CF Adapter' with a Transcend wifi card, works alright in my 400D, as the original review said, they're a bit clunky to use but fro casual use it's fine

0 upvotes

Akeem, I cannot see from the (German) URL that you provided, whether this adaptor supports RAW transfer. Would you know?
Thanks,
Chris

0 upvotes

Akeem, I cannot see from the (German) URL that you provided, whether this adaptor supports RAW transfer. Would you know?
Thanks,
Chris

0 upvotes

SD cards sell about a gazillion times the volume of CF cards. WiFi in a CF card is not financially viable (as in not worth doing).

0 upvotes

Just to make it clear, as it was not apparent from the review (unless I read it too fast), does both cards create a had-hoc Wi-Fi network? I.E. Do they work without a wi-fi router?

0 upvotes

Yes, Sir.

0 upvotes

They do, yes, but I would recommend direct connect (card straight to device) rather than an ad-hoc because it is far easier to setup and speeds are not dependent on the wireless network.

2 upvotes

That wont help all of those cameras that have no connectivity.

For example there is no live or quick way to view an image you just took with a NEX7 etc

Comment edited 15 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Thanks for the answers, and sorry for the typo on ad-hoc.

0 upvotes

These companies will now rely on the feedback of "early bird users" to see if their innovation will take off.

Hurry, buy now... they are waiting for your gripes, ...err, feedback.

2 upvotes

Eye-Fi is a very well established product which was on the market for many many years now.

Other card manufacturers are catching up, but Eye-Fi brand and products are rather well known.

0 upvotes

I'd like to know how much extra power these cards draw from the battery

0 upvotes

there's a whole paragraph about "speed" and it does not have the most important information - average transfer speed.
Which would be a pathetic 1MB/s at most.

I have an Eye-fi connect x2 card that has been gathering dust for the last 2 years.

1 upvote

Good point. I actually think that the average speed of these SD cards using wifi is about 1.3MB/s. That is fine for jpegs - you can easily transfer 100 in 5 minutes.

But it is next to useless for RAW which takes 10 seconds or so each.

0 upvotes

Not useless for me; I used an earlier, slower version to transfer small jpegs to a 24" monitor during events (with software to display the latest files for a few seconds, or until a new picture arrived.) Got a crowd around monitor quickly! Downloaded the RAW files via adapter, later. I've also used the quicker, later version.
That's really the only use I'd ever have for WiFi, until they get to full power wireless N with real speeds. I no longer do events, so I gave mine away.

0 upvotes

I really don't get this whining by many people about the raw workflow being too slow.

How is that??

So just make sure you have a few shots head start before allowing others too look at the screen; that way you will be keeping pace with the onlookers.

Now, once you start talking about Nikon D800 size raws, then maybe you will have issues.

0 upvotes

I was trying to use Eye-Fi for about 6 months and finally gave up. The device is useless, setting up process is unintuitive and complicated. The card's wireless transfer speed is slow if you work with RAW files.

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 4 minutes after posting

1 upvote

Like I said in the review, RAW files with either card will be too slow. It's best for smaller JPEGs to showcase in a gallery on a tablet or laptop.

0 upvotes

I really don't get this whining by many people about the raw workflow being too slow.

How is that??

So just make sure you have a few shots head start before allowing others too look at the screen; that way you will be keeping pace with the onlookers.

Now, once you start talking about Nikon D800 size raws, then maybe you will have issues.

0 upvotes

What I'm really glad about all this Eye-Fi affair is that with the latest batch of camera bodies, sooner rather than latter they will all have become obsolete. :)
Eye-Fi has always followed the strategy of charging ridiculous money for their products, admittedly targeting the PRO market.
Transcend is like that guy that arrives to dinner after desert just to get into the drinking bit. The thing is, he's always too late to catch up with the others.

0 upvotes

Let's hope there will be agreement between camera makers to offer similar features and workflow for all their WiFi equiped cameras.

What you say? Not in a million years? In that case, I'd still prefer an Eye-Fi in each of my cameras.
Maybe android in every camera will solve this issue..

0 upvotes

I cannot find any seller in Europe for this model Eye-Fi !

Comment edited 16 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

I would not advice you one. Both by means of practicality and safety.

You can find the 8GB versions (from Sandisk) in Europe. I've never seen them of 16GB

2 upvotes

@Lexxie

Sandisk Eye-Fi -v- Eye-Fi

The other MAJOR and IMPORTANT difference is that in the European market, the official policy is that ONLY the re-branded Sandisk variety is sold.

So not only do you end up with a card with slower write speeds but you DO NOT get the benefit of being able to transfer raw files as you do with the Eye-Fi X2 Pro cards, nor do you get the highest capacity version, nor (if my memory is correct) do you benefit from the excellent Endless Memory feature.

I was lucky to have bought two original Eye-Fi X2 Pro cards in London (I got the last card from one retailer that is no longer in business, and the second card from another retailer but I am not sure if it still sells the cards)

For advanced amateurs and pros, the Sandisk cards are a waste of time.

As for security concerns, I simply don't use Cloud services for anything I care about. So the Eye-Fi Cloud service is not a security risk for me.

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

1 upvote

What about the Sandisk Eye Fi cards? Is this simply a licensed version of the Eye-Fi card with the same software and features as described here, or are there differences?

0 upvotes

They are. Sandisk Eye-Fi cards have similar features as regular Eye-Fi cards and can be managed in the EyeFi software.

I'm guessing the same range applies, but there might be slight feature differences compared to the Eye-Fi Pro series; no free geolocation for example.

I think the only major difference is that the Sandisk cards are slower; class 4 (or 6?) instead of Class 10 for the more expensive orange Eye-Fi cards. Ah well, you loose speed (and thereby RAW) anyway.

0 upvotes

Thanks, yes, the Sandisk Eye-Fi cards are slower, but also cheaper. I noticed they are not sold everywhere though. Perhaps licensing issues, or WiFi regulation issues. I'd be interested to have some cheap WiFi capability for a non-WiFi body for test shoots in a home environment, no large data transfers, just avoiding a cable to stumble over.

0 upvotes

I had never heard of Scandisk Eye-Fi Cards. However I looked them up and found them here.

http://www.sandisk.com/products/memory-cards/sd/eye-fi/

I dont think many people would recommend anyone using these cards because the read/write times of the cards are so slow (which is why they are cheap). They are Class 4 which is really slow by today's standards. Class 6 many people will say are too slow (although they are adequate). Class 10 is the industry standard.

0 upvotes

Sandisk Eye-Fi -v- Eye-Fi

The other MAJOR and IMPORTANT difference is that in the European market, the official policy is that ONLY the Sandisk variety is sold.

For advanced amateurs and pros, the Sandisk cards are a waste of time.

Comment edited 4 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

Thanks for the info on the Sandisk. Yes, looks like the Eye-Fi itself is not readily available in europe. hmm, if nobody wants to sell a decent product, so be it, they won't get my money then.

0 upvotes

I'm rather sure that the Sandisk Eye-Fis do have the Endless Memory function. Which is indeed excellent.

Comment edited 19 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Eye-Fi as a company are VERY quiet about the safety and security of the images that are relayed via their servers. There is a direct transfer mode but except in a studio setting this is pretty much useless and all the useful features are via their systems.

The problems, and a quick read of their forums shows the lack of interest by the company - or perhaps the lack or response to prevent bad press?, shows a disregard to legitimate concerns over storage and secure deletion of data, long term security of functionality if the company decides to go bust (I am being sarcastic) and many other associated issues.

0 upvotes

Oh, and the limitation that *even* if you trust, as you must, their cloud service it will only push to a single sharing service at a time. No upload to FB/G+/etc. for the same shot - no, that would be far too hard. Not.

PS While I own one, and paid a lot in the early days, I would *not* recommend and Eye-Fi to any new users. I am curious about the Transcend, but have no need right now.

1 upvote

Is the cloud a computer in someone's basement?

0 upvotes

Part1

Thanks for writing something, but in truth I found this a very shallow and non informative review. There are so many aspects to these cards that have just not been looked at at all.

I made the mistake of buying the Eye-Fi Pro 16 card many months ago and find it totally useless (except as an expensive 16Gb card).

Is the tester aware that the distances these devices transfer over are VERY dependent on the camera AND the device its sending too?

In a metal Sony RX100 and a Netgear Router, the furthest distance I can get the EyeFi card to transfer over is about 10 feet (3m). But in a Panasonic G1 it will transfer 50% furthe (at home with a mains powered router)

The other pain with the EyeFi card is every time I wish to transfer to a different device, I first have to plug the card into that device and remove permission for the first device and transfer it to the next. Well I might just as well as leave the card in and just read the data off it normally as with any other card.

5 upvotes

Part2

In adhoc mode outside I have had very little success, on my netbook about 3 feet (1 meter) is the best distance I have achieved so far - I might as well use my cameras USB lead. ..Now some of this is no doubt due to my Netbooks poor arial. But that is real world testing.

When I am out on location photoshoots in the countryside, it is normal to have NO 3g or 4g signal - yes mobile phones don't work in the countryside around here very well. So Ad-Hoc mode (direct transfer to a Netbook/Tablet) is the most important.

I would like to have seen all these situations and far more covered.

3 upvotes

Part 1. What else would you like to know about them? Also, you simply cannot measure range via a third-party wireless network because it's entirely dependent on that network's speed and range. All testing I did was a direct connection between card and device. I even spoke to the Eye-Fi product team and they recommended steering clear from connecting over a third-party wireless network because it added too many steps to the setup and was not as reliable as a direct connect.

Comment edited 2 minutes after posting

1 upvote

Part 2. It's either your netbook or camera that is creating the speed issues. I experienced impressive range inside and outside.

1 upvote

@Adrian Harris and Mike Perlman,

My testing, on a Canon 1Ds and an old Sony R1, shows good transfer speed and reasonable signal when cam and receiving laptop are placed in different rooms (with doors to rooms open but not in line of sight) and at a range of about 22 feet (circa 7 metres).

Speeds will differ between shooting raw only, raw + JPEG, and JPEG only.

To Adrian, my testing was done WITHOUT any intermediary routers in the mix. There is something seriously wrong with what your setup if you are getting such poor performance. I would recommend that you head over to the user forum on the Eye-Fi site; it's extremely helpful and one tends to get quick and informative responses both from the Eye-Fi team themselves and knowledgeable users.

1 upvote

Plevadophy, Can you point me in the direction of a CF to SD adaptor that works with the Sony R1, I have bought two and tried a third, none of which worked. the eye fi card works in my other camera.

0 upvotes

How long before we have Live View on a tablet wirelessly as soon as we switch on our camera?

3 upvotes

Maybe when Canikon start losing big sales to tablets.

0 upvotes

It isn't instantaneous with my Panasonic GH3 or my GoPro 3 black. However, it only takes a couple of seconds.

2 upvotes

You can also zoom in and zoom out on Panasonic with powerzoom lens, good for monitoring lol

0 upvotes

What happens to the range when putting such a card in a magnesium alloy dslr body?

0 upvotes

It works (my Eye Fi X2 Pro that is). I use mine in both my Canon 1DsIII and smaller, toy, Panasonic waterproof metal camera. It's functionally fine in both. I have not measured range, but in the house/garden it's fine.

Comment edited 15 seconds after posting

1 upvote

All of my testing was with a 5D Mark III and both cards were fine.

1 upvote

My testing, on a Canon 1Ds and an old Sony R1, shows good transfer speed and reasonable signal when cam and receiving laptop are placed in different rooms (with doors to rooms open but not in line of site) and at a range of about 22 feet (circa 7 metres).

Speeds will differ between shooting raw only, raw + JPEG, and JPEG only.

0 upvotes

What's the point of getting any of these cards when you can just get a camera with wifi and nfc already enabled like Panasonic GX7 or Sony NEX-5T or (soon) Olympus OM-D E-M1?

0 upvotes

Obviously, you can use these cards on older cameras which do not have such connection features built-in.

Saludos!

2 upvotes

Uniformity in your workflow.
All manufacturers (will) have their own system for uploading pictures wirelessly; Can you tell where your pictures will end up with each of the 3 cameras you mention? How you will have to enter WiFi passwords? What the name of the auto-generated folders wille be? If you can auto-push the pictures to G+ in a 2048px version? etc

2 upvotes

Oh, thanks! I was gonna get one, but now I'll just throw out my 5DMIII and get a totally different camera, lenses, and flashes so I have wifi instead of spending the 80 bucks for the card.

7 upvotes

I am a non-professional who have both cards and I find the Transcend much more suitable for my use.

The Eye-fi card is compatible with a wider range of cameras. Therefore, I can use it on my main camera while the Transcend card cannot. The big problem with the Eye-fi card is that you have to load everything from the card to your device. That means, let's say you took 20 pictures from the week before and haven't download them to your device yet. And today you have just taken a picture that you want to load to your device; once the transfer begin you have to download the 20 pictures from the week before first.

1 upvote

Another problem with the Eye-fi card is that pictures can be downloaded once only. I travel with the iPhone and the iPad (without the SIM card). I use the iPhone to send pictures to Facebook while I enjoy other pictures on a bigger screen of the iPad. That means I have to choose if I want which pictures to be downloaded to which device. And that cannot be done easily because the pictures go to the device in sequential order. Once the pictures go to one device, they cannot be transfer to another device via direct mode.

In these respects, the Transcend card can be more useful. I can choose which pictures to be downloaded to all of my mobile devices. I don't travel with my laptop so I don't have a problem in that regard. The Transcend card also allow me to share the pictures with my friends who travel with me in that instant- the limitation the Eye-fi card cannot do.

3 upvotes

This is my experience on both cards. Hope it's helpful in your buying decision. Each card has its own strengths and weaknesses. It's just which one better suits your needs.

2 upvotes

What you state about the difference between the cards is correct.

1) The eye-fi does 'automatic push' transfer so a 'single' device must be nominated. (You can select photos rather than send the entire batch but this is done in-camera rather than on your smart device.)
2) So if you wish to 'pull in' photos into multiple devices you are need to use a Transcend/EZ Share/Flashair

I actually like to download all my photos automatically as I sort my photos on my ipad and then sync with Lightroom. Which is why I prefer the Eye-fi but your reasons for prefering the Transcend are sound.

3 upvotes

As I stated in the review, you can selectively choose which images you'd like to transfer to which device by marking them with the "Protect" icon in your camera's playback mode. You can train the card to only transfer when you tell it to. Furthermore, images don't just have to be transferred to a device—they can go onto your laptop from the phone/tablet in the presence of a wireless network, in addition to Eye-Fi's cloud site.

2 upvotes

@J D Tranquil

I dunno how long you have been using Eye-Fi cards, but most of what you say about them is incorrect.

You should go to the very helpful Eye-Fi Forum on the Eye-Fi site and get a good few tips and tricks.

Comment edited 50 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Actually I have the same experiences as JD Tranquil.

I had the Eye-Fi X2 Pro and now the Transcend.

I did not like the Eye-Fi because i don't want to transfer all my photos to my phone (only select ones that i want to upload immediately). I realise that you can 'pull' photos, but then i also want to be able to transfer to other iPhones and iPads.

You can only transfer to one device as far as i know, very inconvenient.

The Transcend i have now, although slower, is more versatile because anyone's iphone and ipad can access and grab the photos they want. easier to sit in a cafe and pick out a few photos to edit.

0 upvotes

perhaps someone could make a wi-fi card reader too? or is it already in the market?

0 upvotes

Yes already exists - look up Airstash. Can read any SD card and wifi content to your smart device.

2 upvotes

I'd have thought an SD card sized wifi sleeve for any size of micro SD card would be the best option. Then the size limitation goes away because you can swap micro cards.

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 51 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

The review is ok as far as it goes but there are quite a lot of other differences between these cards in use. Transcend is basically a 'pull' card while Eye-fi is basically 'push'.

This has important repercussions when using the cards with say Photosmith for IOS or I imagine Shuttersnitch. The Eye-fi card can be used to bypass IOS's own photo app which makes deleting of downloaded photos far simpler and I dont believe that Transcend is even compatible with Photosmith.

Several brands also have special Eye-fi menus which means that the wifi can be turned off when not needed and photos can be automatically downloaded immediately when it is switched on. Some of the advantages of Eye-fi means it use is actually far better than the in-built wifi in cameras.

2 upvotes

Another problem, CF Card Users like me, I cant find a usable CF adapter who wants to fully communicate with this new development, and I think there are many more people who are having the same problem.

I have a lot invested in my gear and get not just about equally on new stuff that does not fit in my good working gear.

The thing is, I like this but cant use it, until my problem is solved in time,....

Anyone have an idea?

0 upvotes

they exist: CSL - High Speed CF Card Adapter | WiFi / Eye-Fi capable

http://www.amazon.de/CSL-Speed-Adaptercard-Eye-Fi-f%C3%A4hig/dp/B00DVK1YT2/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1377773974&sr=8-14&keywords=eye-fi

0 upvotes

O they do? I have some bad experience but I will look into it, thnax for the link

0 upvotes

Total comments: 153

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