What is the Difference Between a Compact Flash & XD Cards?
Compact Flash (CF) and Extreme Digital (XD) cards are two different data storage formats used primarily in digital cameras. Both use flash memory, which is more stable than hard drive memory.
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Considerations
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While new Compact Flash cards are still being made as of 2010, XD cards are largely obsolete. Despite this, some XD cards remain on the market to meet the demands of those with XD-compatible devices.
Versatility
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XD is a proprietary format developed by Olympus and Fuji, and is only compatible with digital cameras from these companies. By contrast, many different companies manufacture Compact Flash-compatible cameras and other portable electronics.
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Capacity
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The largest-capacity XD card available allows for 2 GB of storage, whereas CF cards offer up to 128 GB of storage. In terms of digital photography, 2 GB will store about 26 images on a high-resolution 22-megapixel camera.
Speed
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Cards save (write) and retrieve (read) data at different speeds. The fastest XD card writes at 3.75 MB/s and reads at 6 MB/s, while the fastest CF reads and writes at 90 MB/s.
Cost
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CF cards range from $10 to $500 depending on capacity and speed. Despite their slower transfers and smaller storage capability, XD cards are generally no less expensive than CF cards.
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References
- Cool Gadgets: Cool Gadgets Limited Xd Memory Cards Soon Obsolete
- E Photo Zine: All You Need to Know About Memory Cards
- Digital Photography Review: Silicon Power Announces 128GB 400x CF Card
- Sandisk: Number of Pictures that Can be Stored on a Memory Card
- Slash Gear: SanDisk Extreme Pro CF Cards Deliver 90MB/s Transfers
Resources
- Photo Credit compact flash card image by TEA from Fotolia.com
