I haven't found any definitive comparison on this site regarding CF (CompactFlash) cards vs. SmartMedia cards. Therefore it's time somebody made some bold (and possibly false) statements and get the discussion underway:

First a quick primer: CF and SmartMedia are two separate (and incompatible) types of removable memory storage or "digital film". CF is like a small book of matches (@1cm thick), SmartMedia is like the top cover of a matchbox (cardboard paper (@2mm?) thick).

Zephan's semi-qualified opinion: CF is the way to go...

1. The PCMCIA specification that CF is based on is very well established in the laptop computer arena, so standard longevity is assured.

2. Form factor is large enough to accomodate new technologies such as the IBM MicroDrive (which I hear requires the slightly larger CFII slot specification) and lord knows what else the future may hold.

3. Microsoft Handheld PCs and Palm-size PCs can accept CF cards without an adapter. This makes your CF media investement useful for more than just your digital camera. Probably doesn't matter to most people... yet. Then again I could be biased because I use such a device daily and I work for Microsoft Mobile Electronics division :-)

4. Smartmedia just looks too thin and fragile. I've personally never tried to bust one, but I'd be worried about it and I'd worry about having it disappear in a stack of papers or sticky-notes. CF form factor is robust, can be ruggedized, and is more adaptable for future technology that might need the extra width.

5. Lexan (might be misspelled) has high-speed CF card memory now available to reduce recycle time before next picture can be taken. I did not see a similar product in their SmartMedia line-up (but this might just be a transitional issue).

I also found http://www.pcphotoreview.com/dc/tips/removable/index.cgi (care of www.imaging-resource.com's "Other Resource" page) had a few unqualified opinions mentioning CF was "better", but most lacked facts to back them up.

Please comment with facts, news references, and arguments for or against CF or SmartMedia storage cards! I'm looking forward to more information on this topic.

FYI: I also found an interesting and semi-related note that 32MB SmartMedia uses larger cluster size so small/low res images will take up more space on larger cards (a-la FAT and FAT-32 file systems for MS-DOS/Windows geeks). I assume same goes for CF cards (which must also have a file system), but I don't know... Do you?

Well, I'm hurtin' for the unbiased guide to digital film, camera memory, or storage media (whichever term you prefer).

-- Zephan Schroeder (zephans@hotmail.com), August 30, 1999

Answers

Those who need bigger than 32MB on a single card would favor CF. Otherwise it doesn't matter much. The current smartmedia cameras are good up to 128MB size cards at least, whenever cards that size are released, so that's probably not an issue either. (was before)

-- benoit (foo@bar.com), August 30, 1999.

What About the price. CF is MUCH more expensive than Smart Media. So think about it.

-- carlos (carlos@webkds.com), August 02, 2001.

Price comparison between Smartmedia and CompactFlash is a non-issue. For 128MB both media hover around the $70 mark at this time.

-- Nicolas St-Pierre (n.stpierre@nospam.home.com), September 09, 2001.

I'm comparing CF memory with Smartmedia because I'm looking to buy a FUJI S602Z digital still camera, but which features 640x480 avi format video and will accept both media types. I saw one gripe about the CF memory that it was too slow to be effective in this particular camera. Being a tech from way back I would naturally go for the apparently more robust CF memory, but would like more feedback on this issue.

-- Peter Adderley (adderley@acay.com.au), November 08, 2002.

You suck

-- Mike roterman (mike@mikrosoft.com), November 11, 2002.

I also have a s602 I use both I'm trying to get a qualitative answer on the differences... I heard that one has a higher power draw though...

-- Phil Maurer (foo2rama@hotmail.com), December 27, 2002.

Lexan Media hi speed compact flash cards up to 1 GB (32X)$$$ Transcend Ultra Performance 128-1GB (a little less expensive)$$ San Disk Ultra up to 512 MB $$ if you need high speed Suggest you consult camera manual or store for info on what you need.

-- C M McDonald (speedymac@nc.rr.com), April 12, 2003.