On Feb 26, 2006, at 2:00 PM, Godfrey DiGiorgi wrote:
Compact Flash cards have a fine multi-pin interface which has
proven to be an issue with fumble-fingered users (at least).
They're larger (if not terribly so) for the same function and
require more space in the camera for the slot mechanism. Due to the
multi-pin type interface, any device with a flush-mount slot cage
requires some kind of pusher or extractor mechanism to remove the
card. They are nearly the same shape, front to back and around all
edges, which makes for more fumbling when installing them.
On the plus side, the larger form factor allows room for a
microdrive storage unit and greater capacity with lower cost,
higher profile chips.
Secure Digital cards are smaller and thinner, have a simpler
contact arrangement which is self-cleaning with broad sliding
fingers. They're differentially shaped so that the correct
orientation for insertion is easily recognized. The card cage in
the camera is smaller, and has a spring-loaded self-eject system
(simpler and more mechanically robust than a pusher/extractor). SD
cards also have a mechanical write-lock.
On the negative side, microdrives do not fit in the form factor and
capacities are currently at the 2Gbyte max level.
Correction: I meant 4Gbyte level. CF are available in 8Gbyte capacity
currently.
Speed of the high-end cards is identical in both formats, although
for similar rated SD and CF cards I seem to see about a 10-20%
improvement in maximum transfer speed with the SD cards in my readers.
Godfrey
On Feb 26, 2006, at 1:42 PM, Shel Belinkoff wrote:
While I like SD cards for their small size, I cannot help but
wonder in
what way they're better than CF cards.
I'll be a little dissapointed if the thing won't take CF cards,
but lets face it, SD cards are better on several levels
