Nov 24 2009
The Problems With xD Memory Cards
After releasing the extreme Digital (xD) memory cards back in 2002, Olympus and Fujifilm have struggled to keep up with the advantages of the competition’s flash memory card, the Secure Digital.
Technology has sided with the SD time and time again, and both companies have begun to pull their xD products from the shelves, opting instead to get on the SD bandwagon.
No Compatibility
SD cards have influenced the world over thanks to the fact that they are compatible with so many devices. For example, they are perfect for PDA’s, camcorders, and digital cameras to name a few.
The xD, meanwhile, is exclusive to Fujifilm and Olympus digital cameras. Some SD cards can store up to 32 GB of space. The most an xD can handle is 2 GB, which is certainly not enough to power anything near what the SD can offer.
On top of all this, the xD cards have garnered a bad reputation for compatibility issues with certain software and camera accessories. This can cause a lot of problems for some users, who end up with a drawn out mess instead of the simplicity promised by xD’s advertising.
Issues With Corruption
The entire reason a user takes pictures with a camera to begin with is to remember moments that will never come again. Therefore, it’s incredibly frustrating when the camera corrupts the xD card data — a major error that will more than likely happen at least once to a user over time, if not more often, due to any number of reasons.
Some of the more common activities that will trash your stuff include buttons being pushed in the middle of a camera load, for instance, or removing your card without first turning off your camera.
An SD card isn’t an exception to data corruption, but it’s mentioned far less often than the xD. Corruption can screw up any camera’s output, but the xD’s number of complaints is bordering on the legendary.
Difficult Pricing
Even though the xD is inferior to the SD in almost every respect, it is somehow much higher priced. Amazon.com lists a 2 GB Olympus xD card at $17.50, while the SD alternative of the same virtual size is $8.49.
The quality differences are so extreme that it is not surprising that more and more consumers are buying devices with SD memory card compatibility rather than the xD.
The SD card started up in’99, and it has continued to change with the times, offering more space and compatibility for any electronic device on the shelves whether they’re small or large.
Customers will choose SD cards instead of the xD, considering their differences, and Olympus and Fujifilm correctly see that the time has come to make something new.
Fujifilm and Olympus still supply xD memory cards for the time being. The xD digital memory card format is still available at normal pricing, so buy one right now if you’re in need of more digital memory. There are numerous varied digital cameras to look at as well, so shop for all your storage device needs at a trusted website today.
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