Camera CF and SD cards continue to drop in price, increase in capacity, and sport faster transfer speeds. We all want the best bang for our bucks, so one of the most common questions about cards is how fast they are in a given camera model. Then there is the question of how the choice of card affects performance when transferring images onto the computer via a card reader, after the shoot. Not all cheap cards perform well, and not all fast access modes of higher end cards are supported by different cameras or readers.
Answering these questions for every combination of equipment is probably impossible, but over the years Rob Galbraith has made systematic tests with a collection of CF and SD cards with several cameras and card readers. He has recently launched a major update to his CF/SD database with results for the latest cards paired with new Canon and Nikon cameras including the 40D, 1D Mk III, 1Ds Mk III, D300 and D3.
Find the CF/SD Performance Database here.
