256MB Sony memory stick

[p5freak]

Welll, if you like your small sticks, fine. Live with it, i dont like it. CF will be available at 3GB soon, MS is still stuck at 128 MB. The other point is cost, here in germany a 128MB stick is about 20-30% more expensive, compared to a 128 MB CF card. I really wouldnt mind carrying around 10 sticks, IF they would have a comparable price, but that isnt the case. Swapping sticks would still be annoying, but i could live with that.
And to those who say, "just buy a portable HD" :

If you want to carry around a heavy 10 GB mobile HD, fine, buy yourself one. And, according to Murphys Law, your batteries will fail when you want to download a stick.

BUT, i dont want that. I would like to keep the weight down. And that means i would like to have three or four 256-512 MB Sticks.

 

[Ann Chaikin]

I gotta agree with Erik here.

Me too. To say that 128MB is big enough and call you a complainer
for saying otherwise is simply ignorant. Those of us with 7X7's do
really need bigger sticks. This isn't an argument, it's a fact.
Ask any 7X7 owner and you'll find out.

I am a 717 owner. And I don't think I'm ignorant... but then I didn't call anybody a complainer either. I was genuinely curious about what the big deal was since it has not been a big deal for me. Eric's post made it much clearer. Depends on how you use the camera.

Ann
--
also known as PT Kitty > ^..^
http://www.pbase.com/ptkitty/galleries
http://www.annchaikin.com

 

[johnrweb]

Ann,

Carrying around less memory stick is just one less item to carry around, one item less to lose, one less item that end up in the washing machine. These problems can be overcome if you pay attention to what you're doing, and its probably not that significant on a one day shooting session.

It starts becoming a real issue in case of multiple day trips. A couple of 1GB flash can be carried around easily, whereas, we in the MS world would have to carry around a laptop or one of those portable hard drive. More device to carry, more devices to break, more devices to lose.

It would be nice to have bigger stick and it certaintly doesn't make sense that we in the Sony world is so far behind others regarding this common memory technology. This is one reason people always warn you to stay away from proprietary technology.

Even at highest resolution you can get many photos on a 128M stick.
What's the big deal about switching sticks? I've been wondering
this for some time. People seem so annoyed with Sony but if I can
get 40 pics on a stick what's the big deal? Just wondering. Ann
--
also known as PT Kitty > ^..^
http://www.pbase.com/ptkitty/galleries
http://www.annchaikin.com

--
John
http://www.pbase.com/johnrweb/

 

[stewie]

Memorysticks are everywhere. They are in almost all Sony cameras, camcorders, several laptops and recently even in DVD players and car entertainments systems, (yes car radios now have memorysticks.) Check the websites.

There is even a TV with a memorystick slot.There are PDAs, MP3 players, mobile phones etc etc etc. Soon there will probably be fridges and toasters with slots for those little blue devils.

Other manufactuers, Konica for instance, have released cameras recently which take memorysticks

Worldwide there must be millions of people who have found space in their homes for a few of these cards.

My point is Sony are so deep into memory sticks I cannot for one minute believe they are not here to stay.

Yes they are slow to release larger versions and you do run the risk of appearing "behind the times" if you yeild one but Sony will deliver their larger sticks. They have to!!!

I wouldn't consider changing brands because the larger sticks haven't appeared yet. Just be patient.

Stu

 

[David_S85]

Another way of looking at it... What sounds better?

"Hey, I just shot 4 sticks worth of great photos!"
or
"I just shot half a stick worth of great photos!"

The former if we're forever stuck with 128's - the latter if 1GB sticks ever arrive.

I remember feeling proud when I shot several rolls or more of film. Heck, I probably won't be able to afford larger sticks if and when they ever arrive.

• David

Erik Madsen wrote:
It's a very good question. At times 128MB is enough and switching
sticks is no big deal. However, whenever it isn't enough and
switching sticks is neccessary a good deal of griping about lost
opportunities is in order and wishing for bigger memory is apparent.

Even at highest resolution you can get many photos on a 128M stick.
What's the big deal about switching sticks? I've been wondering
this for some time. People seem so annoyed with Sony but if I can
get 40 pics on a stick what's the big deal? Just wondering. Ann
--
also known as PT Kitty > ^..^
http://www.pbase.com/ptkitty/galleries
http://www.annchaikin.com

--
Erik Madsen
Web Applications Developer
http://www.pbase.com/emadsen
http://www.photosig.com/viewuser.php?id=3021

 

[pcockerell]

It's certainly a very subjective issue, but here's my reasons:

• 60 shots per stick isn't that many if you're a grabbing a lot of shots of, say, an active two-year-old, or if you bracket obsessively. Throw in 4Mb per 15s video clip into the mix (yes, I do use those, they're great for doing little moving photo albums for the far-flung family), and you can find yourself changing sticks more frequently than you'd like. On a recent trip to China, I really did miss some shots because of having to change the memory card at inopportune times (during family banquets, for example). And if you shoot TIFFs, well you can never have a big enough memory stick capacity.

• In theory, larger capactities should offer better $ Mb than smaller ones. This is because the cost of a siicon chip is dependent mostly on its surface area. So if the current generation is twice as dense as the last one, you should be able to get chips with twice the storage for about the same price. Of course, it's not that simple in real life because they have to recoup the capital costs of new fab equipment etc. But even with the current capacities you can see it's by no means a straight line relationship between capacity and cost:

16Mb $25
32Mb $35
64Mb $50
128Mb $90

This graph:



shows the relationship between capacity and cost/Mb. I think the effect of Sony's introducing larger capacity sticks would be to move the whole curve downwards. Hopefully a 256Mb stick would be introduced at $160 and a 512Mb at $300 (Sony prices, of course, street prices and third-party prices should be lower.)

Cheers,
Pete

Even at highest resolution you can get many photos on a 128M stick.
What's the big deal about switching sticks? I've been wondering
this for some time. People seem so annoyed with Sony but if I can
get 40 pics on a stick what's the big deal? Just wondering. Ann
--
also known as PT Kitty > ^..^
http://www.pbase.com/ptkitty/galleries
http://www.annchaikin.com

--
http://www.pbase.com/pcockerell
http://www.peter-cockerell.net:8080/

 

[pcockerell]

What a bizarre theory of why people post here. It seems to me that most people here are delighted with their cameras, esp. if they own a 7x7, but that doesn't mean you have to sycophantically insist that Sony Corp is some beatific entity that is above all criticism. Quite the opposite is true, in my experience...

Cheers,
Pete

Ann, you should know by now. If there was nothing to complain
about, what would all of the people on this forum do with their
time? It seems that most of them LIVE for something to be wrong
with their camera, or to have read some news about an upcoming
product for the SOLE fact that they get to vent here and whine
about something.

--
http://www.pbase.com/pcockerell
http://www.peter-cockerell.net:8080/

 

[Keith Aitken]

I love my 707 and the light convenience of memory sticks BUT ...

Sometime in 2003, Sony will introduce a 6MP or higher consumer
camera, in which the 128Mb stick will be a liability. The 717 was
a holding exercise while the market awaits the next Sony innovation.

The CDRW Sonys were also a test scheme to develop away from
the MS format. Great idea, but did not take off as well as expected.
( lack of viewfinder ? )

I came from a 3MP Casio 3500 and a 1Gb microdrive which stored
739 high-res images. Kinda hard to get used to the 51 image-128Mb
Sony stick, but we all put up with it because 7x7's are such superb
cameras.

The economic argument is :

1Gb MD at about $200.00 would store approx 500 5MP 7x7 images

To get the same memory stick storage for 500 images, you would
need 10 128 sticks at approx $60 each ( best price ) = $600.00

For high-volume events, weddings, travel etc, you need plenty of
memory sticks, even if you use a laptop for frequent downloading.

I love my 707 ( again but will watch the Sony space with fascination
as the company wrestles with the MS technological limits. I believe that
if Sony could make a 256 stick, it would sell as many as it could produce,
given its hold on the consumer camera market ...

Is'nt technology addictive ?

Keith

 

[scorch]

... When I swap sticks, there is the risk of losing data and confusion.

hI e.

Why don't you write numbers on the sticks with a marker.

I marked my batteries to keep them straight.

Ken

 

[SmokinMan]

The only reason I want bigger 128MB MS is for Video Unlimited shooting. But is it really important? If I want it for video, I certainly will not pick the 256MB. It is still too small. It has to be 1 or 2GB memory stick. But is the cost worth the still lausy video mode on almost Digicam.

For still image shooting, I would rather work with several 128 or maybe 256MB(if the 256MB does not cost more than 2 128MB) memory stick. By working with several, I can work with the images from one MS on notebook while the other one is still in the camera in between shot break.

The only thing matters to me is for the MS price to drop at least as low as the compact flash. Two 128MB is better than one 256MB MS for the same cost. Or maybe two 256 MB is better than one 512MB. It only takes 10 second to change memory stick if you have it in your pocket.

Hi there,

I would like to ask if anyone knows whether there is now a 256MB
memory stick out there or not? If there is please guide me to any
online information about it.

Regards,
Aziz
--
Love is wonderful
Cameras show the beauty of God in the wonderful nature around us.

--
SmokinMan



Sony DSC F717 (Ex S40)
Olympus IS-1 35mm Film Camera http://www.pbase.com/smokinman/

 

[DarrenH]

Hi Ann, I'm in full agreement. I just bought a second 128 and, with the 32 that came with the camera, all I need is a little restraint and I'll never need any more.

Shooting everything that moves isn't my goal; I still try to wait for a good shot and always err towards quality over quantity. Cheers, D

Even at highest resolution you can get many photos on a 128M stick.
What's the big deal about switching sticks? I've been wondering
this for some time. People seem so annoyed with Sony but if I can
get 40 pics on a stick what's the big deal? Just wondering. Ann
--
also known as PT Kitty > ^..^
http://www.pbase.com/ptkitty/galleries
http://www.annchaikin.com

 

[DarrenH]

Personally, I couldn't care about "ahead" and "behind". I care that I have a reasonable amount of storage. The 128s do it for me.

There is an advantage to using 128s over 256s or 512....if something happens to one stick, you've got another one! If you lose a Microdrive that could really ruin your day. Cheers, D

Ann, you should know by now. If there was nothing to complain
about, what would all of the people on this forum do with their
time? It seems that most of them LIVE for something to be wrong
with their camera, or to have read some news about an upcoming
product for the SOLE fact that they get to vent here and whine
about something.

--
Well, I'm not tuned at the same frequency of your thoughts, you
know. The fact is that, when we buy a camera that's a Sony, we buy
a piece of technology which we think is up to date, if not an avant
guard, with all the other brands.
The cogitation that Sony products are losing ground, gives us a
feeling of uncertainty on this commercial policy. Suddenly we feel
to be out of the main stream, and this is not good at all.
Just vanity, you may say.
That's true, but that's the world!
Regards
teo

--
also known as PT Kitty > ^..^
http://www.pbase.com/ptkitty/galleries
http://www.annchaikin.com

 

[DarrenH]

I certainly don't think that. I can't speak for anyone else but I'm pretty happy with what I've got (2 128MB sticks plus the standard 32). Cheers, D

Cheers,
Pete

Ann, you should know by now. If there was nothing to complain
about, what would all of the people on this forum do with their
time? It seems that most of them LIVE for something to be wrong
with their camera, or to have read some news about an upcoming
product for the SOLE fact that they get to vent here and whine
about something.

--
http://www.pbase.com/pcockerell
http://www.peter-cockerell.net:8080/

 

[pcockerell]

Oh, sorry, my original post wasn't aimed at you. It was aimed at human photographers who might have to take several shots of the same subject before they get one they're satisfied with. You know, like those losers who would use the EOS-1Ds, which allows you to bracket both exposure AND white balance, because Canon recognizes that digital photography is still immature enough that even Ansel Adams couldn't always precisely predict the outcome of a particular shot, and might need two, or, heaven forbid, three attempts to get it just right.

Speaking of which, I wonder how all those professional photographers get so much quality from so little quantity? I mean, the photos you see in magazines and book are always the only shot they took of that subject, right? I'd hate to think they were wasting rolls and rolls of film producing substandard photos, just so they could get one publishable one.

Anyway, If I'd known there were superhuman photographers reading, whose every shot is a first-time masterpiece thanks to a Zen-like patience in waiting for precisely the right moment to capture the perfect photo, I would never have wasted people's time in commenting on the lack of memory stick capacities that were available in other formats two years ago.

So the next time I miss a classic Blue Angels formation soaring overhead because I'm fumbling trying to change my memory stick, I'll take a moment to be damned grateful to Sony Corp for providing me with 128Mb sticks, and then spend a few moments trying to find my center in preparation for taking the perfect photograph of empty blue sky. Thank you.

Cheers,
Pete

Hi Ann, I'm in full agreement. I just bought a second 128 and,
with the 32 that came with the camera, all I need is a little
restraint and I'll never need any more.

Shooting everything that moves isn't my goal; I still try to wait
for a good shot and always err towards quality over quantity.
Cheers, D

--
http://www.pbase.com/pcockerell
http://www.peter-cockerell.net:8080/

 

[Wan Chai Man]

It is addictive isnt it?

I bought a P9 and am spending more time here looking for faults with it than enjoying taking pictures....

And thats after going through EVERY review under the sky and finding most of the experts say its fine...

I suppose I just want perfection... is there such a thing with a digital camera?

Ann, you should know by now. If there was nothing to complain
about, what would all of the people on this forum do with their
time? It seems that most of them LIVE for something to be wrong
with their camera, or to have read some news about an upcoming
product for the SOLE fact that they get to vent here and whine
about something.

 

[DarrenH]

Who said I'm a pro documentary photographer? I'm not.

If you are, then why are you using a 717? Uh, GET A 1-Ds! THE 717 ISN'T A PRO CAMERA.

And thanks for the sarcasm, it does so much for the overall tone of the forums.

Speaking of which, I wonder how all those professional
photographers get so much quality from so little quantity? I mean,
the photos you see in magazines and book are always the only shot
they took of that subject, right? I'd hate to think they were
wasting rolls and rolls of film producing substandard photos, just
so they could get one publishable one.

Anyway, If I'd known there were superhuman photographers reading,
whose every shot is a first-time masterpiece thanks to a Zen-like
patience in waiting for precisely the right moment to capture the
perfect photo, I would never have wasted people's time in
commenting on the lack of memory stick capacities that were
available in other formats two years ago.

So the next time I miss a classic Blue Angels formation soaring
overhead because I'm fumbling trying to change my memory stick,
I'll take a moment to be damned grateful to Sony Corp for providing
me with 128Mb sticks, and then spend a few moments trying to find
my center in preparation for taking the perfect photograph of empty
blue sky. Thank you.

Cheers,
Pete

Hi Ann, I'm in full agreement. I just bought a second 128 and,
with the 32 that came with the camera, all I need is a little
restraint and I'll never need any more.

Shooting everything that moves isn't my goal; I still try to wait
for a good shot and always err towards quality over quantity.
Cheers, D

--
http://www.pbase.com/pcockerell
http://www.peter-cockerell.net:8080/

 

[Wan Chai Man]

Agree completely!

Sony stuff is wonderful... I just bought a new "top of the line" panasonic home theatre and am extremely disappointed

And yes, bigger memory should be available... is there some technical reason why perhaps?

Erik

I gotta agree with Erik here.

Sony has definately become the perfect demonstration why buying
into a product line based on propritary formats & standards, not
only fails to deliever any tangible benefts to the consumer of
those products, but also fails to push or motivate said company
into advancing it's own product line for the benefit of the
consumer.

Advanced propritary battery formats that don't work (NPFS11) &
Memory Sticks sizes that the CONSUMER are having to make excuses
for. Hello people - You people are paying top dollar for Sony
equip - don't you think you should get what you are paying for?

Here's something I just noticed about myself: I have a Sony
Stereo, a Sony Mobile phone, a Sony VAIO laptop & a Sony Digital
Camera - and none of it works the way it should.

I also have a Minolta DiMAGE, a JVC Car stereo, a Philips TV (x2),
AWIA & 2x Panasonic VCRs - and they all work! Funny that I have
more Sony brand stuff than anything else, but none of the Sony
stuff works the way it should.

Sony should change their slogan to "Sony - can't create".

--
-kev
http://www.mcpeake.com/

--
Erik Madsen
Web Applications Developer
http://www.pbase.com/emadsen
http://www.photosig.com/viewuser.php?id=3021

 

[johnd1]

IMO the Sony forum has the most complainers .Sorry for complaining about this.hehehe
John

Ann, you should know by now. If there was nothing to complain
about, what would all of the people on this forum do with their
time? It seems that most of them LIVE for something to be wrong
with their camera, or to have read some news about an upcoming
product for the SOLE fact that they get to vent here and whine
about something.

 

[A Anderson]

It's not a real big issue, but I would gladly trade my memory stick holder full of memory sticks for 1 or 2 large ones. Of course it's easy to swap memory sticks but when you see compact flash up to 3gigs you kinda worry about what Sony are up to. I take thousands of photos and the less memory sticks the better in my humble opinion.

So it isn't totally a non-issue as a very very slight inconvenience. (bear in mind I have to dig in my camera bag to find my memory stick case, careful open it with camera around neck, and bag etc, hold the camera and the memory stick case and do the swap without dropping the memory stick, then put the memory stick case away safely). Not quite a 2 second swap as some may argue.

Yeah sure, it's not an issue but who wouldn't want to swap all their memory sticks for larger ones!!!!!

p.s. I don't think the original poster was complaining either, was just asking for information?

You nailed it. This whole memory stick thing is such a non-issue
it's ridiculous.

-Seb

Ann, you should know by now. If there was nothing to complain
about, what would all of the people on this forum do with their
time? It seems that most of them LIVE for something to be wrong
with their camera, or to have read some news about an upcoming
product for the SOLE fact that they get to vent here and whine
about something.

--
Sony DSC-F707 Amateur Photographer

 

[A Anderson]

LOL the sarcasm is wonderful!!! thanks for the laugh. Anyway he's made serveral good points. Those people who restrain themselves will find 128mb far too much space as for me and quite a lot of others we take advantage of the technology to shoot many photos to pick out the best ones, and obviously for insurance, extra ones too. You can't tell on the LCD if a shot is blurry either so a little extra may pay extra dividends instead of cursing over taking one single blurry shot. Just as an example ...

If you are, then why are you using a 717? Uh, GET A 1-Ds! THE 717
ISN'T A PRO CAMERA.

And thanks for the sarcasm, it does so much for the overall tone of
the forums.

Speaking of which, I wonder how all those professional
photographers get so much quality from so little quantity? I mean,
the photos you see in magazines and book are always the only shot
they took of that subject, right? I'd hate to think they were
wasting rolls and rolls of film producing substandard photos, just
so they could get one publishable one.

Anyway, If I'd known there were superhuman photographers reading,
whose every shot is a first-time masterpiece thanks to a Zen-like
patience in waiting for precisely the right moment to capture the
perfect photo, I would never have wasted people's time in
commenting on the lack of memory stick capacities that were
available in other formats two years ago.

So the next time I miss a classic Blue Angels formation soaring
overhead because I'm fumbling trying to change my memory stick,
I'll take a moment to be damned grateful to Sony Corp for providing
me with 128Mb sticks, and then spend a few moments trying to find
my center in preparation for taking the perfect photograph of empty
blue sky. Thank you.

Cheers,
Pete

Hi Ann, I'm in full agreement. I just bought a second 128 and,
with the 32 that came with the camera, all I need is a little
restraint and I'll never need any more.

Shooting everything that moves isn't my goal; I still try to wait
for a good shot and always err towards quality over quantity.
Cheers, D

--
http://www.pbase.com/pcockerell
http://www.peter-cockerell.net:8080/

--
Sony DSC-F707 Amateur Photographer