OT - question about SDHC memory cards

dibbkd wrote on 10/18/2012, 8:57 AM

I'm looking to buy an SDHC memory card for a Lumix GH2 (ordering it today), and didn't realize there were so many flavors of SDHC cards. There are Class 4, 6, and 10. What's more confusing is some of the Class 4's show a write speed of 4Mbps and some are 15Mbps (for the same class)

I didn't see where it specified which class to get from the http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/systemcamera/gms/gh2/index.htmlPanasonic GH2 page[/link], so wasn't sure which to get.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?atclk=Card+Type_SDXC&ci=1097&Ns=p_PRICE_2|0&N=4270508873+4294194739+4264330179SDHC cards at BH Photo[/link]

Suggestions?

Comments

Laurence wrote on 10/18/2012, 11:48 AM

No less than a class 10 will do, and not all class 10s are created equal. There is a wide range of speeds even at a given speed class. The most expensive aren't necessarily the best either. Look at the customer reviews or get advice from someone who is happy with theirs.

The GH in particular can be hacked and get some spectacularly high quality bitrates. You want to be able to use them.

videoITguy wrote on 10/18/2012, 12:05 PM

Yes, you do want Class 10, but you will get exactly what you pay for. These chips are produced and graded for what would be called their class rated speed. Kind of like eggs coming from the same hen, not all are alike.

Compare a good source the pricing and then choose from the upper 20% of Class10 pricing. It is no guarantee, but you are likely to get better performance and bang for the buck by doing so.

dibbkd wrote on 10/18/2012, 1:25 PM

Thanks for the info.

Looks like there is read and write speeds, which are different for each card.

I'm guessing the write speed is the one I need to be more concerned about for the camera? I'd think the read speed is what it would be copying from the card to the PC, which wouldn't matter that much besides the time it takes to copy the file?

Anyone have a good place besides BH, Newegg, and CDW to buy from? I usually buy from them but always like to learn of a new good option.

Laurence wrote on 10/18/2012, 4:12 PM

A while back I bought some expensive Kingston Memory compact flash cards that were rated the right speed for my my Sony HVR-Z7 camera. They turned out not to be fast enough whereas some much cheaper Transcend cards with the same rating were. A free downloaded memory card speed test confirmed that the less expensive, not as well known name brand cards were indeed quite a bit faster. This annoyed me even more since my last name is also Kingston.

Don't be impressed by high price or well known name brand. There are inexpensive made in China brands that high quality and faster than the better known brands. Look for something class 10 and inexpensive with good user reviews.

dibbkd wrote on 10/18/2012, 10:41 PM

I ended up getting a SanDisk 32GB SDHC Memory Card Extreme Class 10 UHS-I for $36.95.

It has a read/write speed of 45MB/s max, hopefully it does the trick with the GH2, both are due in on Monday. Can't wait to get them!

fldave wrote on 10/19/2012, 7:32 AM

I got three 32GB SanDisk Extreme for my GH2. Supposedly works well with the hacks, (although I haven't hacked mine yet) and guaranteed for life. The Extreme Pro may be a bit faster, and waterproof, but cost much more. PNY reportedly were not 100% reliable, some worked, some didn't. The SD Extreme works well with my GH2 so far.

rs170a wrote on 10/19/2012, 9:27 AM

I've been using the Transcend Class 10 32GB SDHC cards in my JVC HM-750 HD cameras with no problems.

Mike

Gene Aum wrote on 10/20/2012, 4:41 PM

Just purchased the Transcend 10s as well. The packaging states 85MB/s.

However, I assume SD cards are like SSDs - those numbers don't tell the whole story.

Steve