What is the difference between Compact Flash memory card and SD memory card? which is better?

Question

im planning to buy a dslr. but my friend said that he rather choose the canon 400D because of the type of memory card it uses. why is that so?

Answer 1

SD card is the better option as its the most widely used card in the business and most electronic goods use that card from mobile to cameras. Regarding usage, it doesnt make much of a difference.

When a card is widely used chances are most card readers will provide accessibility .

Answer 2

Most dSLR cameras use CF memory cards...but, Canon's latest dSLR, the 450D, uses SD or SDHC memory cards.

As far as I know, there isn't much of a difference between these two types of cards, except when using the fastest CF cards available (e.g. Sandisk Extreme IV or Ducati edition). But, you don't really need the ultra fast cards if you're not a pro or aren't shooting continuous fast frames.

So, if you plan on buying the 450D, make sure you buy a high speed SD or SDHC card.

The link below gives you the fastest cards available (when tested in the 450D)...

The first 5 (in blue) were tested as the fastest. You can't go wrong with the Sandisk Extreme III, though.

Answer 3

Compact Flash is an older design. It is larger and the design is subject to damage with insertion and removal from the camera. It is used in pro level cameras only because that is what has always been used in pro cameras ... the camera designers do not want to pi$$ off existing customers who have invested lots of money in CF cards. Eventually, one of the manufacturers will "blink" and start using a newer design, like SD. Some new cameras actually have slots for both types of card.

Don't base a decision on which type of memory card the camera uses. Decide based on how the size/weight/controls feel in your hands, whether is has the features (zoom/replaceable lenses/etc.) you want, and price.

Answer 4

Firstly, beside small and handy, the SD card are widely used mainly in the new dslr. But, don't choose a camera based on the memory card it uses.

Answer 5

There's some key differences between the CompactFlash memory and Secure Digital (SD) memory cards.

CompactFlash (CF) cards are larger and their connections require the camera to have pins to make contact with the connectors on the CF card, which are internal.  The drawback to this is that it's theoretically possible to bend the pins on a CF card.  It's rare, but it does happen.  The biggest advantages of CF cards:  storage capacity and speed.  You can buy CF cards with capacities that far exceed anything from SD cards and with speeds that are far faster than SD cards (although these speeds are more likely to be seen in a good card reader than most cameras).

Pros use cameras that take CF memory cards.

SD memory cards have their contacts on the outside, and the cards are physically smaller.  This means that cameras can be made correspondingly smaller and lighter.  SD memory is more widely used than CF card memory, because most point and shoot cameras use SD cards.  SD memory cards are generally not as fast as CF cards, although some SD cards are fast indeed and will cost a little bit more. SD memory also comes in a variant known as SDHC or SD High Capacity, for sizes greater than 2 GB.

If you're buying a point and shoot, get SD memory cards.

If you're buying an entry-level SLR, SD and SDHC memory is usually the card type for the camera.

If you get a pro SLR or plan to eventually get a pro SLR and are starting out, get an SLR that uses CF memory.  Frankly, memory is cheap enough these days that you could start off with an SD camera and just buy CF memory cards if you eventually upgrade.

Best cards:  SanDisk Extreme III and Extreme IV cards.  You'll find them in CF types (III and IV) and SD/SDHC types (Extreme III).