This review covers Lexar 256MB memory stick pro (MS512-331) with Magicgate.

This memory stick is fully compatible to the 512Mb Sony Memory Stick PRO - MSX-512 and also features Magicgate copyright protection (who needs that ???, your digital cameras don't as they don't utilize this feature). As the stick takes some memory away for the Magicgate,the actual available memory is only around 510 MB! You pay for a feature that you don't want and then you give up 12% of your pricey memory to support it !

So when you think Memory Stick versus other flash media think: Price(Memorystick)=Price(other media)x1.3 + 12% ! Currently if you find a cheap deal you have more of a relationship of 2x for Sony memory sticks versus compact cards.

Same calculation holds true when comparing standard memory stick and Magicgate sticks

Sony has developed it's proprietary memory card format, called memory stick. All Sony digital devices use it, so if you have a Sony you will be familiar with it, if you don't better become familiar ( also with the price differences and the standard and magicgate formats).
Lexmark produces their sticks under license from Sony.

Note: Both sticks come with a slider to secure the memory content against accidental writing.

At 200 USD the price is also compatible , but give it some time and the forces of competition will start to work.

The Lexar is offered with a 5 year limited warranty,whereas the Sony just comes with 1. Now that is gracious and I would take that extra insurance any time. Practically there shouldn't be any difference and at the rate this market is going 5 years takes you beyond end of life and two generations of product development. According to ZDNET the current Lexar and Sandisk Memory sticks are actually PRODUCED by Sony. So if it is a memory stick, it is a Sony is a Sony is a Sony....(and you might as well take the lowest price and highest warranty out in the market).

Nice feature is that the Lexmark stick lights up when you write on it. Less nice is that the stick is generally under a cover, where you won't see it....

Beware when you are out comparison shopping for a memory stick, only the PRO is true capacity. All others are souped up memory sticks. The standard memory stick interface is only capable of handling up to 128 MB. So you will find also from Lexar sticks which are 256 MB without the 'pro' and 'Magicgate'. Those you can write up to 128 Mb and then you need to pull them out, flip a switch and you can write another 128 Mb. These are also sold under the name of 'duo' sticks (duo as you got TWO sticks in one package, just like chewing gum). Generally they run 30 USD cheaper.

And then there are the Sony Memory Sticks PRO DUO, which again are something different. They are short sticks, that can run in a normal camera with an adapter. If you can get them cheap, take them for future useage, as Sony for sure will migrate their products over.

Well why not save 30 USD then ?
The PRO sticks are much faster then the 'non' pro sticks.
Pro sticks write with 20 MB/sec , whereas the normal sticks write at 350KB/sec.

If your camera can handle PRO, then the storage of the image after you have taken it goes much faster and then the camera takes only half the time to get ready for the next shot. The difference is quite noticeable.
Also note that Sony always puts their standard sticks into the package at some ridiculous low storage such as 16 MB or 32 MB. These will be totally inadequate for anything. Makes me mad, so I go and buy alternate memory stick brands.

Beware: PRO sticks are NOT backward compatible.
So the poor sony users who would like to upgrade their old device to more then 128 MB will need a new device or go with the 'duo' sticks. Now THAT is not very customer friendly, but then ' no pain, no gain'


This stick I tested on my Sony-DSCP-92. If you are interested in this review on the 'Queen of speed and resolution' Click here: http://www.epinions.com/content_122227887748

The other camera benefitting from the PRO version is the Sony DSC-V1, which is even faster then the P92. For a review on this camera click here:

http://www.epinions.com/content_125044756100

If you are generally trying to get an update on digital cameras and it's most common misconceptions, particularly around what resolution you need and how many memory sticks you need read this Digital Camera Buyers Guide:

http://www.epinions.com/content_3650658436

Recommended: Yes