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Upgrade to a Better Compact Flash Card
CF or CompactFlash cards are data storage devices for the pictures you take, that help you keep snapping & storing while out on your photography journeys. Higher megapixel cameras demand higher performance cards, making the selection of a great performing, high-capacity CF card a necessity. Additionally, photographers using large image formats such as higher-quality TIF or RAW files will demand cards with more space.
In recent years, higher capacity cards have been released, but which are considered the best choices? Here, I'll list the optimal CF cards for your review, based on ratings and performance.
Menu:
Choosing the Right CF Card | Choosing the Right CF Card by the Numbers
Top Rated Cards: 512 MB | 1 GB | 2 GB | 4 GB | 8 GB
Perhaps you'll also like: Best Camera Lenses | Best Camera Bags
Choosing the Right CF Card
There are generally three factors to consider when buying your new CF card:
2) Write speed: This is the speed at which data is written to the card once a picture is taken. You'll obviously want a fast write speed, but another factor thrown in will include your camera's read & write speed. In other words, a fast CF card and a slow camera won't exactly make for an optimal end result (although, it won't hurt your camera or the card).
3) Storage space: A self-explanatory factor. Just like PC hard drives, you'll want the largest size card for the work you'll be doing. If you only take pictures at family events and holidays, obviously - you won't need overkill in terms of storage space. However, if you're taking high resolution pictures for your portfolio with a modern SLR camera, then you'll want the top-of-the-line card only.
Choosing the Right CF Card by the Numbers
Determine what speed & storage amount is sufficient for your camera type:
4 megapixel (or lesser) cameras
-CF card speed: not applicable for this camera type
-CF card storage space: at least 128 MB
5 megapixel cameras
-CF card speed: 32x-50x
-CF card storage space: at least 256 MB
6 megapixel cameras
-CF card speed: 40x-60x
-CF card storage space: at least 256 MB
7 megapixel cameras
-CF card speed: 50x-80x
-CF card storage space: at least 512 MB
8 megapixel cameras
-CF card speed: The fastest possible card
-CF card storage space: at least 512 MB
9 megapixel cameras
-CF card speed: The fastest possible card
-CF card storage space: at least 1 GB
10 megapixel (or higher) cameras
-CF card speed: The fastest possible card
-CF card storage space: at least 4 GB
Source: Dubbin, R., Grunin, L. Picking the Right Card for Your Camera (2007). CNET Networks, Inc.
Current Top-Rated [64 MB] CF Cards
This updated list is for current top rated 64 MB cards, by sales volume and ranking:
Fujifilm 64 MB CompactFlash Card
64Mb CompactFlash Memory Card.
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: (as of 05/16/2008)
List Price: $62.99
Current Top-Rated [512 MB] CF Cards
This updated list is for current top rated 512 MB cards, by sales volume and ranking:
Lexar Media 512 MB CompactFlash (CF512-231) (Retail Package)
512 MB. Lexar 4X technology.
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: (as of 05/16/2008)
List Price: $129.99
Kingston 512 MB Type I CompactFlash Card (CF/512) (Retail Package)
512 MB. 6 Mbps read rate, 5 Mbps write rate.
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $16.25 (as of 05/16/2008)
List Price: $49.99
Kingston 512 MB CompactFlash Card (CF/512-S) (Retail Package)
512 MB. 50x Speed, 10MBs read rate, 8MBs write rate
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $23.50 (as of 05/16/2008)
List Price: $26.99
SimpleTech STI-CF/512 512MB CompactFlash Card
512 MB. Write speeds of 1.5MB per second (10X).
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: (as of 05/16/2008)
List Price: $27.99
Current Top-Rated [1 GB] CF Cards
This updated list is for current top rated 1 GB cards, by sales volume and ranking:
SanDisk SDCFH-1024-901 1 GB Ultra II CompactFlash Card (Retail Package)
1 GB. Write speed of 9 MB/s, read speed of 10 MB/s.
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $15.19 (as of 05/16/2008)
List Price: $69.99
SanDisk SDCFX3-1024-901 1 GB Extreme III CompactFlash Card (Retail Package)
1 GB. 20 MB/sec sequential read/write speed.
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $29.30 (as of 05/16/2008)
List Price: $89.99
SimpleTech 1GB CompactFlash Type I Memory Card (STI-CF/1GB)
1 GB. 10X speed, writes at 1.5MB per second.
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: (as of 05/16/2008)
List Price: $99.95
Kingston 1024 MB CompactFlash Card (CF/1GB, Retail Package)
1 GB. 6 Mbps read rate, 5 Mbps write rate.
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 05/16/2008)
List Price: $27.99
SanDisk SDCFB-1024-A10 1GB CF Type 1 Card (Retail Package)
1 GB. High transfer rate for fast copy/download operations, weather tolerant.
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $20.79 (as of 05/16/2008)
List Price: $59.99
Current Top-Rated [2 GB] CF Cards
This updated list is for current top rated 2 GB cards, by sales volume and ranking:
Transcend 2GB 45X CompactFlash Memory Card
2 GB. 45x speed.
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $11.85 (as of 05/16/2008)
List Price: $124.99
SanDisk 2GB ULTRA II CompactFlash Card (SDCFH-2048-901)
2 GB. Write speed of 9 MB/s and a read speed of 10 MB/s.
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $21.00 (as of 05/16/2008)
List Price: $99.99
Kingston CF/2GB-S 2 GB ElitePro CompactFlash Card (Retail Package)
2 GB. 50x Speed, 10MB/s read rate, 8MB/s write rate.
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $32.50 (as of 05/16/2008)
List Price: $99.99
Kingston 2GB Ultimate CompactFlash Memory Card (CF/2GB-U), Retail Package
2 GB. 100x speed, 20 MB/s read rate and 16 MB/s write rate.
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $44.95 (as of 05/16/2008)
List Price: $52.00
Transcend 2G Cf Card 120X
2 GB. Read 20 MB/sec, Write 18 MB/sec.
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $40.22 (as of 05/16/2008)
List Price: $53.23
Current Top-Rated [4 GB] CF Cards
This updated list is for current top rated 4 GB cards, by sales volume and ranking:
Lexar Media 4GB 80X PRO SERIES CF-CARD WA ENABLED ( CFB4GB-80-380 )
4 GB. Write speeds of 12 mb/s - 80x (12 MB/s).
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: (as of 05/16/2008)
List Price: $822.76
Kingston 4GB Compactflash Card Ultimate
100x speed, 20 MB/s read rate and 16 MB/s write rate
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: (as of 05/16/2008)
List Price: $127.18
Kingston CF/4GB-S 4 GB ElitePro CompactFlash Card (Retail Package)
4 GB. 45x Speed, 8MB/s read rate, 6.75MB/s write rate.
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $47.50 (as of 05/16/2008)
List Price: $229.99
Transcend 4GB Ultra-Speed 120x CompactFlash Card - Green (TS4GCF120)
4 GB. Read 20 MB/sec, Write 18 MB/sec.
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $65.95 (as of 05/16/2008)
List Price: $79.99
Transcend 4GB 45X CompactFlash Memory Card
4 GB. 4 pcs of 1Gx8 Flash Memory.
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $49.95 (as of 05/16/2008)
List Price: $59.99
Current Top-Rated [8 GB] CF Cards
This updated list is for current top rated 8 GB cards, by sales volume and ranking:
8GB Compactflash Card Ultimate
8 GB. Write speed rating of 133x.
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $121.12 (as of 05/16/2008)
List Price: $189.77
Transcend 8Gb Cf Card 120X
8 GB. Read 20 MB/sec, Write 18 MB/sec.
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $118.77 (as of 05/16/2008)
List Price: $214.24
SanDisk 8GB/15MB Ultra II CF Card ( SDCFH-008G-A11, US Retail Package )
8 GB. Write speed of 9MB/s and a read speed of 10MB/s.
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $62.62 (as of 05/16/2008)
List Price: $129.99
CF Cards Feedback:
|
superjim
I was looking at Flash Memory for my cam cause the write speed at the moment is too slow. Your lens has helped, thanks. Posted October 29, 2007 |
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