How much memory?

[Tim Blair]

I have ordered my first digital camera. The S45. (thanks to this form and web site for almost all of my analysis!)

I am very new to all of this and am trying to figure out how much CF memory I should buy. I have two questions:

1. I remember reading how many picture can be stored in 16M but can't find it now. But in looking at reviews at this site it appears that a super fine image takes about 2 meg. Thus 16 meg would suffice for about 8 super fine images. Is that accurate?

2. Any opions about multiple CF cards vs. a single one? In other words if I decide I want 256M of memory, is it better to purchase two 128M cards or one 256M card? My initial cut at this is that you have redundancy in case of failure with two cards. It may also be convenient in terms of transfering the images to the computer to have two cards as the camera can still be used by one person while someone else is transfering images to the computer. But I suspect the price of two cards will be more than a single card with the same total amount of storage.

Appreciate you help with this.

Thanks
Tim Bliar

 

[Ruffian]

1. I remember reading how many picture can be stored in 16M but
can't find it now. But in looking at reviews at this site it
appears that a super fine image takes about 2 meg. Thus 16 meg
would suffice for about 8 super fine images. Is that accurate?

False. 16MB on a CF card is the marketing department's rendition that 15.xxxMB is 16MB. If the images do not contain a lot of detail, though, eight of them can fit inside that CF card.

2. Any opions about multiple CF cards vs. a single one? In other
words if I decide I want 256M of memory, is it better to purchase
two 128M cards or one 256M card? My initial cut at this is that
you have redundancy in case of failure with two cards. It may also
be convenient in terms of transfering the images to the computer to
have two cards as the camera can still be used by one person while
someone else is transfering images to the computer. But I suspect
the price of two cards will be more than a single card with the
same total amount of storage.

CF cards rarely fail, unless it is a product of poor quality/construction as well as an-made disasters.

If prices of two CF cards combined are cheaper than one big CF card, go ahead.
--
Casio QV-10, G2, A40

 

[jscher2000]

2. Any opions about multiple CF cards vs. a single one? In other
words if I decide I want 256M of memory, is it better to purchase
two 128M cards or one 256M card? My initial cut at this is that
you have redundancy in case of failure with two cards. It may also
be convenient in terms of transfering the images to the computer to
have two cards as the camera can still be used by one person while
someone else is transfering images to the computer. But I suspect
the price of two cards will be more than a single card with the
same total amount of storage.

The larger capacities cost a lot more per meg, as is typical of semiconductor devices that haven't hit the sweet spot on their yield curves yet. Typically the same brand 256MB part costs about double the 128MB part, but it varies due to sales and rebates. I wouldn't buy smaller than 128MB.

I like the idea of redundancy, and coming from 25-exposure film, I figure that changing every 128MB won't be too annoying. I also like the idea of not "losing it all" if a card goes bad (this happened to someone I know who hosed it by interrupting a write operation), but keeping track of all those tiny plastic cases...now that could be tough.

Sample prices:

SimpleTech 512 MB CompactFlash Card $190 after rebate
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00006HCCK

SimpleTech 256MB CompactFlash $70 after rebate
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000630TO

SimpleTech 128MB CompactFlash Card $35 after rebate
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000051408

Viking CF512M 512 MB Compact Flash Card $131 after rebate
{ suspiciously inexpensive! }
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005MIS8

Viking 256 MB CompactFlash Card $82 after rebate
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005AC8J

Viking CF128M 128 MB CompactFlash Card $38 after rebate
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00003G1RG

Lexar Media CF256-12-251 256 MB, USB, 12X, High-Speed CompactFlash Card $110 after rebate
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005U0HU

Note: I can't recommend specific brands, these are just for comparison.

 

[TeraFlex]

Super-Fine Large JPEG mode, the best post-processed format, sucks up about 2,002KB of space so you should get at least a 256MB card and certainly a 512MB card is not out of the question. I have a G3 + a 512MB Simpletech CF Type I card. Formatted capacity is 487MB so I can take about 246 pics in the best JPEG mode. Your S45 is pretty much the same as the G3 except in a smaller body. Resolution and pic size is the same. All your need is one card. No reason to have the hassle of having mor than one card.

I have ordered my first digital camera. The S45. (thanks to this
form and web site for almost all of my analysis!)

I am very new to all of this and am trying to figure out how much
CF memory I should buy. I have two questions:

1. I remember reading how many picture can be stored in 16M but
can't find it now. But in looking at reviews at this site it
appears that a super fine image takes about 2 meg. Thus 16 meg
would suffice for about 8 super fine images. Is that accurate?

2. Any opions about multiple CF cards vs. a single one? In other
words if I decide I want 256M of memory, is it better to purchase
two 128M cards or one 256M card? My initial cut at this is that
you have redundancy in case of failure with two cards. It may also
be convenient in terms of transfering the images to the computer to
have two cards as the camera can still be used by one person while
someone else is transfering images to the computer. But I suspect
the price of two cards will be more than a single card with the
same total amount of storage.

Appreciate you help with this.

Thanks
Tim Bliar

 

[vk]

Get one 256Mb card to begin with. If you find that you need more get more later.
vk

I have ordered my first digital camera. The S45. (thanks to this
form and web site for almost all of my analysis!)

I am very new to all of this and am trying to figure out how much
CF memory I should buy. I have two questions:

1. I remember reading how many picture can be stored in 16M but
can't find it now. But in looking at reviews at this site it
appears that a super fine image takes about 2 meg. Thus 16 meg
would suffice for about 8 super fine images. Is that accurate?

2. Any opions about multiple CF cards vs. a single one? In other
words if I decide I want 256M of memory, is it better to purchase
two 128M cards or one 256M card? My initial cut at this is that
you have redundancy in case of failure with two cards. It may also
be convenient in terms of transfering the images to the computer to
have two cards as the camera can still be used by one person while
someone else is transfering images to the computer. But I suspect
the price of two cards will be more than a single card with the
same total amount of storage.

Appreciate you help with this.

Thanks
Tim Bliar

 

[JoeSal129362]

With prices falling on the larger capacity cards, I am in line with Vk's recommendation. Use the 256 for a while and keep your eye on sales and rebates, especially after the holidays for a second if you really need one.

Get one 256Mb card to begin with. If you find that you need more
get more later.
vk

 

[Jim B (MSP)]

Get one 256Mb card to begin with. If you find that you need more
get more later.
vk

Agreed. I found that 256 with my G2 was generally fine. You will find that one of the joys of the digital camera is taking lots of photos of the same thing, varying DOF, angle, exposure, etc. Lots of photos because the film is "free". The memory starts to get filled up pretty quickly. I'd buy the biggest card you can afford, as changing on the fly is a minor pain that can be avoided.
--
Jim

 

[cali_grrl]

Given the review of different Digital film on this website, Viking seems to be a great choice.

Cali

 

[P@l]

Some very good suggestions here - I would stick with at least 256 MB. It will let you store about 120 pictures - which is generally enough for one day leisure shooting. Why not two 128 MB cards? - memory cards last for years!. Your next camera for sure will be more memory hungry and will eat these small ones like peanuts. I have a few older 32 MB size cards with virtually no more use for picture taking - but they make great floppy disc replacement for achieving purposes ; )

Get one 256Mb card to begin with. If you find that you need more
get more later.
vk