Reading mode: Light Dark

Storage: CF card vs. Microdrives...

Go to last post
B

Bert Duhe

Well-known member
Messages
175
Reaction score
0
Location
Destrehan, LA, US
For you folks that have used these types of storage, does either one surpass the other in any way? And yes, I do realize the higher capacity CF cards that just came out can only be used by cameras that utilize Fat32, I believe.

Thanks,
Bert
 
I use both. I have 2 1G microdrive and 1 512M CF. I have the 512M CF to backup the MD in case it fails which so far hasn't failed on me. Other users have horrible experience w/ microdrive. My feeling is microdrive is essentially a HD w/ spinning parts, so you have to pamper it. If you don't treat it nicely it's gona go bonker on you.

As far as advantages, there's none. Microdrive's speed is faster than some CF and slower than some other. So it's right hanging in there. The speed really depends on your camera's IO. The only advantage microdrive have definitely over CF is the price. 1G MD is about $189 and 1G CF 30x is about $299. So w/ the price of 2 1G CF, you can buy 3 MD w/ a bit change left.

If you want storage, then give MD a try. If reliability is all you want and a bit of money doesn't matter, go CF all the way.

As for as the FAT32 is concerned. That got nothing to do w/ CF and MD. It only has to do with their size. You can format any CF or MD to FAT16 ro FAT32 if you choose to. The current popular CF and MD hasn't hit FAT16's boundary yet. Microdrive is max at 1G, and CF is max at 1G (afforadable) I know, Lexar announced 2G and 4G CF (probably dead expensive) and Hitachi announced 4G microdrive (not available til Sep and still no pricing either). So you don't have to worry aboug FAT16/FAT32.

--
Phoenix
http://photo.vitsco.com
Bert Duhe said:
For you folks that have used these types of storage, does either
one surpass the other in any way? And yes, I do realize the higher
capacity CF cards that just came out can only be used by cameras
that utilize Fat32, I believe.

Thanks,
Bert
Click to expand...
 
Witch one would be the fastest and most reliable (1GB) if used with Canon 10D ?
Lei Xu said:
As far as advantages, there's none. Microdrive's speed is faster
than some CF and slower than some other. So it's right hanging in
there. The speed really depends on your camera's IO. The only
advantage microdrive have definitely over CF is the price. 1G MD is
about $189 and 1G CF 30x is about $299. So w/ the price of 2 1G CF,
you can buy 3 MD w/ a bit change left.
If you want storage, then give MD a try. If reliability is all you
want and a bit of money doesn't matter, go CF all the way.

As for as the FAT32 is concerned. That got nothing to do w/ CF and
MD. It only has to do with their size. You can format any CF or MD
to FAT16 ro FAT32 if you choose to. The current popular CF and MD
hasn't hit FAT16's boundary yet. Microdrive is max at 1G, and CF is
max at 1G (afforadable) I know, Lexar announced 2G and 4G CF
(probably dead expensive) and Hitachi announced 4G microdrive (not
available til Sep and still no pricing either). So you don't have
to worry aboug FAT16/FAT32.

--
Phoenix
http://photo.vitsco.com
Bert Duhe said:
For you folks that have used these types of storage, does either
one surpass the other in any way? And yes, I do realize the higher
capacity CF cards that just came out can only be used by cameras
that utilize Fat32, I believe.

Thanks,
Bert
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I've used my Microdrive on a half dozen backpacking trips, with no problems. So while I understand that it has moving parts, so does the camera. I don't toss it around, and I've had zero problems with it.

It makes sense that it is not as tough as a standard CF card, but I wouldn't let that scare you off.

--
Life is short, eat the dessert first!

http://www.oktrails.com
 
Don't think any reviews have tested the speed, and until it's tested your question is unanswerable.

Speeds MIGHT be similar to the D60 speeds. Then again they might not. Won't know until the 10D is out on the market and in people's hands.

As for "reliable" -- that's too nebulous a question. CF and MD are both "reliable", meaning lots of people use each with few/no problems. At the same, each has instances of failure. Neither is clearly more reliable than the other.

Used to be MD had a significant price/capacity advantage over CF -- but that's been eroding lately. At the same price per GB I'd take CF, as it is certainly less fragile than MD.

-- Lew
Rickard said:
Lei Xu said:
As far as advantages, there's none. Microdrive's speed is faster
than some CF and slower than some other. So it's right hanging in
there. The speed really depends on your camera's IO. The only
advantage microdrive have definitely over CF is the price. 1G MD is
about $189 and 1G CF 30x is about $299. So w/ the price of 2 1G CF,
you can buy 3 MD w/ a bit change left.
If you want storage, then give MD a try. If reliability is all you
want and a bit of money doesn't matter, go CF all the way.

As for as the FAT32 is concerned. That got nothing to do w/ CF and
MD. It only has to do with their size. You can format any CF or MD
to FAT16 ro FAT32 if you choose to. The current popular CF and MD
hasn't hit FAT16's boundary yet. Microdrive is max at 1G, and CF is
max at 1G (afforadable) I know, Lexar announced 2G and 4G CF
(probably dead expensive) and Hitachi announced 4G microdrive (not
available til Sep and still no pricing either). So you don't have
to worry aboug FAT16/FAT32.

--
Phoenix
http://photo.vitsco.com
Bert Duhe said:
For you folks that have used these types of storage, does either
one surpass the other in any way? And yes, I do realize the higher
capacity CF cards that just came out can only be used by cameras
that utilize Fat32, I believe.

Thanks,
Bert
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Any DSLR beats unexposed film.
 
Bert Duhe said:
For you folks that have used these types of storage, does either
one surpass the other in any way?
Click to expand...
There exists a trade off between $ and safety: I killed an IBM 1GB microdrive, but I never managed to killl a CF Type I. You do pay a bit more for CF Type I, but that's the premium you pay for the "solid state" technology of CD type I cards, but that's well worth it, in my opinion.
Bert Duhe said:
And yes, I do realize the higher capacity CF cards that just came out can
only be used by cameras that utilize Fat32, I believe.
Click to expand...
"Never put all your eggs in one basket only". On the other hand, of course, it's much more convenient not having to change memory cards. There exists a trade off between messing around with cards and safety. Personnaly, I wouldn't use anything larger than 1GB with cameras like the 10D/D60; I'd rather may a second 1GB card.

Microdrive versus CF - depends on your personal wants/needs
Andi

--
http://www.andreassteiner.net/photography
 
Member said:
...I killed my Microdrive in my living room (dropped it) - so what?
Click to expand...
I've seen someone killed his 1G CF by forgot it in a washer and went through a wash cycle. So what? well everyone makes their mistakes. The thing is if you are careful, MD is probably as reliable as CF under its operation parameters.

--
Phoenix
http://photo.vitsco.com
 
Nope, I sure didn't. And I should have. Sorry for any inconvenience. Thanks to all for taking the time to reply. I'll have to take some time after work to go through all the postings.

Bert
 
Lei Xu said:
The thing is if you are careful, MD is probably as
reliable as CF under its operation parameters.
Click to expand...
:-) ...that's a lot of "if" and "probable"; there is always a chance that the MD will "survive", of course. Fact is that this probability is higher with the less fragile solid state technology of CD type I cards. This doesn't contradict reports of people using their MD's happily and successfully at all.

As I said in my other posting here, it's up to the buyer to decide whether the additional safty os worth the additional dollars.

Andi

--
http://www.andreassteiner.net/photography
 
Read about the smart buffering in Phils review http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneosd60/page11.asp

Fast CF Only for fast playback. I like it a lot you can buy cheap CF.

Nick
Lew said:
Speeds MIGHT be similar to the D60 speeds. Then again they might
not. Won't know until the 10D is out on the market and in people's
hands.

As for "reliable" -- that's too nebulous a question. CF and MD are
both "reliable", meaning lots of people use each with few/no
problems. At the same, each has instances of failure. Neither is
clearly more reliable than the other.

Used to be MD had a significant price/capacity advantage over CF --
but that's been eroding lately. At the same price per GB I'd take
CF, as it is certainly less fragile than MD.

-- Lew
Rickard said:
Lei Xu said:
As far as advantages, there's none. Microdrive's speed is faster
than some CF and slower than some other. So it's right hanging in
there. The speed really depends on your camera's IO. The only
advantage microdrive have definitely over CF is the price. 1G MD is
about $189 and 1G CF 30x is about $299. So w/ the price of 2 1G CF,
you can buy 3 MD w/ a bit change left.
If you want storage, then give MD a try. If reliability is all you
want and a bit of money doesn't matter, go CF all the way.

As for as the FAT32 is concerned. That got nothing to do w/ CF and
MD. It only has to do with their size. You can format any CF or MD
to FAT16 ro FAT32 if you choose to. The current popular CF and MD
hasn't hit FAT16's boundary yet. Microdrive is max at 1G, and CF is
max at 1G (afforadable) I know, Lexar announced 2G and 4G CF
(probably dead expensive) and Hitachi announced 4G microdrive (not
available til Sep and still no pricing either). So you don't have
to worry aboug FAT16/FAT32.

--
Phoenix
http://photo.vitsco.com
Bert Duhe said:
For you folks that have used these types of storage, does either
one surpass the other in any way? And yes, I do realize the higher
capacity CF cards that just came out can only be used by cameras
that utilize Fat32, I believe.

Thanks,
Bert
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Any DSLR beats unexposed film.
Click to expand...
--
Sometimes Slicknick, sometimes not so Slicknick
http://www.pbase.com/slick11nick/
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top