I plan to buy a digicam. I also plan to get lot's of extra memory. I don't want to toss out the memory if I switch to a new camera. Which memory scheme (compactflash, smartmedia, etc.) is a safe bet as being standard?

Thanks

-- shawn holt (sholt@usa. net), January 05, 2000

Answers

Compact flash is better than Smartmedia in this regard. Olympus has endorsed it on new 2500 camera, which accepts both. Companies are switching from SM to CF, no one is switching from CF to SM.

-bruce

-- bruce komusin (bkomusin@bigfoot.com), January 06, 2000.

It really just doesn't matter. The best memory solution is a used cheap laptop and pcmcia reader. :)

-- benoit (foo@bar.com), January 06, 2000.

Right now as far as I can see, the Compact Flash is the most used inthe market. Sony's Memory Stick on the other hand is being pusshed to be used in other markets, not just digicams. Buying the right hardware, you could have the same memory sticks for your PDA,MP3 player, E-book, etc. In my mind you have 2 choices for this and future digicams Compact Flash or Memory Stick.

-- David Erskine (davide@netquest.com), January 06, 2000.

Shawn, I use both Compact Flash and Smart Media in my Kodak and Olympus cameras and I recommend Compact Flash handsdown. The main reason is because they are very reliable and hardy. You can just throw them in your pocket with your other acceessories and pull them out and plug them straight in to the camera. I have about 10 of them from Kodak and Kingston (from 2 mgs to 32mg)and I have never had any trouble. With Smart Media on the other hand they are very delicate. You have to put them back in their case after use , taking care not to get your fingers on their contacts. I've had two cards damaged this way. Easy to do if your in a hurry to change cards so you don't miss the action.

-- Neil Fifer (neilfif@hotmail.com), January 10, 2000.