During our last trip I found myself discussing cameras with another photo buff. Naturally we got around to discussing the relative merits of our respective cameras. This lead to each of us pulling out our cameras and letting the other play around with it.

What he (and other’s since) found most impressive about my camera was the size and weight in comparison to his and other digital cameras of similar capabilities. This I explained was due to the small size of the memory card. Small card equals small(er) camera.

When I purchased my first digital camera (http://www.epinions.com/content_169686306436), the type, size of the memory card wasn’t really an issue. In my ignorance I just presumed that they were all the same.

Conversely when it became time to get a second bigger and better digital camera (http://www.epinions.com/content_174122241668 this was one of the major factors in the choices open to me. I decided to stay with the same brand (Fuji) simply because it made sense to have similar operating systems and avoid the need to carry around and operate two incompatible sets of software and/or memory cards. A logical conclusion and one of the best decisions I’ve made.

Both our cameras use the xD picture card. This card was developed jointly by Fuji and Olympus for use in their then upcoming line of digital cameras/video recorders. The main advantage of the xD series of cards as I said are their size. They’re tiny, approximately half to a third the size of cards used in other cameras. There is no comparable loss in quality or efficiency though. This allows the camera itself, and any accessories to be, as I also noted, much smaller and lighter than the competition. Anyone who’s ever had to lug a camera around can see the advantage in that.
Finally

The xD picture cards were initially manufactured by both Olympus and Fuji and either were compatible in the other’s cameras. The Olympus ones also included a panoramic option for use on this feature on some of their cameras, otherwise there is no difference. I own and have used both makes in both our cameras and noted no differences. Recently I noticed that Kodak has also developed and marketed their own xD card. I have yet to purchase one, but a quick look suggests that it too is compatible. I’ve also seen a generic no name xD card, but passed on it, preferring to stay with name brand recognition.

The cards at present come in a variety of sizes or more accurately storage capacities, 16MB, 64MB, 128MB and 512MD, and from what I’ve heard both Fuji and Olympus have plans to develop a 1GB card. Most cameras usually come with a 16MB card. This I consider a teaser as realistically it won’t hold many pictures, and you’ll have to buy at least one larger card.

The rule of thumb for how many pictures per card is as follows. For a 3 megapixel camera it’s 1.5 mega bite per picture. For a 4 megapixel camera it’s 2 mega bites per pictures. For a 1MB card this comes out to 8-12 pictures before the card fills up, which is why I consider them teasers. Now there are other factors as well to consider such as settings true, but as I said this is a good way to “guestimate.”

The cards also allow for video as well as still pictures. Duration and quality of course will depend on the system being used and the size of the card.

At present I (we) own 5 cards. The two 16MB that came with the cameras, two 128 MB ( Fuji ) and one 256 MB ( Olympus). Basically this gives me the ability to shoot almost 300 pictures before I have to commence downloading. Even that number would be pushing it for me, according to my wife. I also shudder to think about the number of rolls of 35mm would have to use to reach that number, especially considering with digital I can erase any shots I don’t want.

Downloading by the way is fast and simple. Aside from downloading directly from the camera there are a variety of USB card readers available that will accept the xD series. I was able to find one that’s only about the size of to cards itself and takes up little space in my camera bag.

About the only criticism I’ve seen regarding the xD picture cards were the price. Now when I bought my first one I did notice that they were slightly more expensive than other card types. Then again the camera itself was less expensive in the first place. It’s also not like buying a cheap printer only to find out the ink cartridges are expensive either. Picture cards are reusable.

Surprisingly the Olympus cards, at least in the shops in Toronto I checked, were on average $10.00 Cdn cheaper than the Fuji ones. This is the reason I ended up picking up an Olympus Card. Recently though I’ve noticed that Fuji has dropped the prices on their cards and now they’re the same price as the Olympus ones across the board.

I’ve yet to see the Kodak cards aside from information on various web sites, so can’t comment. If the price is right though, I may try one. I’ve also seen a cheaper generic no name xD card, but passed on it, preferring to stay with name brand recognition.

I actually read somewhere that one person didn’t like this card because it was so small. They suggested that there was a danger in losing it. Maybe they shouldn’t be playing with a digital camera without parental supervision in the first place.

All the three cards I’ve bought came with a handy plastic card holder slightly smaller than a credit card to help prevent this. Of course the card holder is designed to hold six cards and you get a new one with each card purchased. A bit of a waste I think but its keeping my recycle bin full. As I have three cards, aside from the two in the cameras, I took one and labeled one side with three slots “empty” and the other “full” to ensure no mix ups.

While I did end up getting a nice padded case to hold my camera, cards, and other assorted bits and pieces it’s not like I need it. I can grab the camera and run off for a day’s shooting with the spare xD cards in their holder in my jeans pocket. Try picture shoving the 10-12 rolls of 35mm that I would need in that same pocket, or better yet don’t.

Even though I don’t really need it, I’ll probably end up grabbing a couple more cards in the near future. I keep my eye on sales at local camera and electronic stores. I’m more than happy with my present camera and see it fulfilling all my needs for the immediate future.

Final thoughts, there are some 17 pages of entries for the xD cards here on epinions, most of them a quick glance shows are duplicate entries for the same card(s). As I do talk about more than one card and or manufacturer here, I almost seriously considered cutting and pasting this review into each and every slot in a vain and pathetic attempt to boost my review/hit count.

I couldn’t do it though. Technically it’s within the rules, but not the ones I live/write by. I chose to post it (once) here simply because of all the cards I have this is the one (Fuji 128 MB) I have the most of. Any topic nazi here has a problem with that, well that’s what ratings and/or comments are for, so knock yourself out and then go and get a life.

Oh yeah there are no fluffy towels or continental breakfast included with this product either

Recommended: Yes