Fastest SDHC the K-3 can handle

RockvilleBob · 11-08-2013, 04:08 AM

Hi

My first impressions of the K-3 are terrific. I would appreciate knowing the fastest speed the K-3 can write to an SDHC card. I would like to maximize the throughput without buying something faster than I need. Any help appreciated. Thanks

Unlimited · 11-08-2013, 04:58 AM

I would be interested to know the speed of reading cards within the camera trough its USB 3.0 interface. I never take my cards outside the camera so that would be important to me.

bdery · 11-08-2013, 06:09 AM

It supports the UHS-1 protocol, the fastest currently available.

Secure Digital - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

RockvilleBob · 11-08-2013, 06:34 AM

Thanks.
Just curious about the write speed. The UHS-I comes in various write speeds, SanDisc makes one rated at 100MBs but is slower writing. Will the K-3 write to the card at 100 MBS? or is the max internal speed slower. I just do not want to spend extra for a card with faster capability than the K-3 can write.

derekkite · 11-08-2013, 07:06 AM

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/172-pentax-k-3/241594-anyone-worked-out-write-speed-yet.html

Some quick tests.

rawr · 11-08-2013, 07:09 AM

Originally posted by RockvilleBob

I just do not want to spend extra for a card with faster capability than the K-3 can write.

I've got some Sandisk Extreme Pro (SDXC UHS-I) cards, and use them when I need snappy write speed doing bursts with the K-5. I've found that there is a real, noticeable difference between the Sandisk Pro's read/write speed in camera, compared to other Sandisks like the Extreme's and Ultras that I also have a few of. To test it out without spending a lot of money, just buy a 8GB card and give it a go. When I get my K-3, I'll be populating it's slots with Extreme Pros, probably 2x8GB.

There are some comparative tests on SD cards in these forums, and on the web.

RockvilleBob · 11-08-2013, 07:26 AM

Originally posted by rawr

I've got some Sandisk Extreme Pro (SDXC UHS-I) cards, and use them when I need snappy write speed doing bursts with the K-5. I've found that there is a real, noticeable difference between the Sandisk Pro's read/write speed in camera, compared to other Sandisks like the Extreme's and Ultras that I also have a few of. To test it out without spending a lot of money, just buy a 8GB card and give it a go. When I get my K-3, I'll be populating it's slots with Extreme Pros, probably 2x8GB.

There are some comparative tests on SD cards in these forums, and on the web.

Thanks RAWR. I did get one SanDisk Extreme 32 GB 80mbs card with the K3 from B&H and ordered a second from Amazon Warehouse - seems like a good deal $39.65 with free shipping Amazon.com: Buying Choices: SanDisk Extreme 32 GB SDHC Class 10 UHS-1 Flash Memory Card 80MB/s (SDSDXS-032G-AFFP)
The ExtremePro are rated at 95MBS but cost 50% more - they are also a good deal at Amazon Warehouse Amazon.com: Buying Choices: SanDisk Extreme Pro 32 GB SDHC Class 10 UHS-1 Flash Memory Card 95MB/s SDSDXPA-032G-AFFP

rawr · 11-08-2013, 07:49 AM

Probably with the huge buffer on the K-3, the Extremes will do well enough for just about every situation, unless you do a lot of high fps + high-ISO (hence bigger files) shooting.

bdery · 11-08-2013, 08:32 AM

UHS-1 is a norm, assume the K-3 complies at least to the minimum of that norm and start shooting!

Painter · 11-08-2013, 08:41 AM

Originally posted by RockvilleBob

Thanks RAWR. I did get one SanDisk Extreme 32 GB 80mbs card with the K3 from B&H and ordered a second from Amazon Warehouse - seems like a good deal $39.65 with free shipping Amazon.com: Buying Choices: SanDisk Extreme 32 GB SDHC Class 10 UHS-1 Flash Memory Card 80MB/s (SDSDXS-032G-AFFP)
The ExtremePro are rated at 95MBS but cost 50% more - they are also a good deal at Amazon Warehouse Amazon.com: Buying Choices: SanDisk Extreme Pro 32 GB SDHC Class 10 UHS-1 Flash Memory Card 95MB/s SDSDXPA-032G-AFFP

I am using the Sandisk 32gig 85MB/sec and it clears the buffer very fast

BretW · 12-08-2013, 05:53 PM

I'm stunned that the answer to this question isn't precisely quantifiable (and already quantified) by Pentax and/or professional reviewers.

1) Faster cards cost more.
2) Any money spent on a card that outstrips the camera's ability to write is wasted.
3) Cards that slow the camera down can cause missed shots, and waste part of the camera buyer's hardware investment.

Given those three facts, why isn't the answer something like: The maximum write-speed of a K3 is 80mb/s, therefore any capacity above 80mb/s is unused, and any card slower than that mark is a potential bottleneck. ?

**Michaelina2** · 12-08-2013, 07:07 PM

You might consider this 64 Gb card...

PNY

It's read speed is supposedly rated at 90Mb/s and I understand its write speed is around 60Mb/s, as reported by others using a USB3 rated reader... Amazon lists them at about $35 each, USA shipping included.

Cheers... M

derekkite · 12-08-2013, 08:38 PM

Originally posted by BretW

I'm stunned that the answer to this question isn't precisely quantifiable (and already quantified) by Pentax and/or professional reviewers.

1) Faster cards cost more.
2) Any money spent on a card that outstrips the camera's ability to write is wasted.
3) Cards that slow the camera down can cause missed shots, and waste part of the camera buyer's hardware investment.

Given those three facts, why isn't the answer something like: The maximum write-speed of a K3 is 80mb/s, therefore any capacity above 80mb/s is unused, and any card slower than that mark is a potential bottleneck. ?

It isn't as simple as that. The SanDisk extreme pro has an algorithm this speeds up the calculations for which sector to allocate, preventing fragmentation. It was faster on my k5 even when the body didn't support uhs1. The stated speeds are burst, and less sophisticated cards degrade when partially full or having been through a number of write delete cycles without a format.
And some just plain fail prematurely.
The body supports a standard which is implemented by the various manufacturers.
Life is never that simple.

twitch · 12-08-2013, 10:38 PM

I too would love to know if an extreme pro offers an advantage in the K-3 over a extreme 80 Mb/s card.

BretW · 12-08-2013, 11:54 PM

I take your point, derekite, but it only goes so far. I understand that the actual write speed is heavily dependant on complex phenomena. And that a single-number summary can be misleading ("Lies, damn lies, and benchmarks", as they used to say). But this is quantifiable in a simple matrix.

If Pentax bodies make better use of a fast card, shouldn't Pentax be crowing about it, just as it does the max FPS? And if Pentax bodies are inferior in this regard, then shouldn't someone else be crowing? And then shouldn't the reviewers be testing cards and bodies head to head, in a systematic way to see who has an edge, and how big the effective difference? Why are lenses tested systematically and often quite quantifiably, while with memory cards we are left to speak anecdotally?

Some things really are simple. Does a 64gb Sandisk Extreme Pro outperform a 64gb Sandisk Extreme Plus card in a k3 body under several memory intensive shooting scenarios? I'd bet the answer is simple, and if it is mixed, I bet the way in which it is mixed would be useful in prioritizing values and deciding where to spend, and where to cut corners.

And if we did know, it would put pressure on card makers to innovate where it actually makes a difference.

11-08-2013, 04:08 AM	#1
RockvilleBob Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Lewes DE USA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,780	Fastest SDHC the K-3 can handle Hi My first impressions of the K-3 are terrific. I would appreciate knowing the fastest speed the K-3 can write to an SDHC card. I would like to maximize the throughput without buying something faster than I need. Any help appreciated. Thanks

12-08-2013, 07:07 PM	#12
Michaelina2 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SE Michigan USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,300	You might consider this 64 Gb card... PNY It's read speed is supposedly rated at 90Mb/s and I understand its write speed is around 60Mb/s, as reported by others using a USB3 rated reader... Amazon lists them at about $35 each, USA shipping included. Cheers... M Last edited by Michaelina2; 12-08-2013 at 07:42 PM.

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11-08-2013, 04:58 AM	#2
Unlimited Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Cluj-Napoca, Romania Posts: 53	I would be interested to know the speed of reading cards within the camera trough its USB 3.0 interface. I never take my cards outside the camera so that would be important to me.

11-08-2013, 06:09 AM	#3
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	It supports the UHS-1 protocol, the fastest currently available. Secure Digital - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

11-08-2013, 06:34 AM	#4
RockvilleBob Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Lewes DE USA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,780 Original Poster	Thanks. Just curious about the write speed. The UHS-I comes in various write speeds, SanDisc makes one rated at 100MBs but is slower writing. Will the K-3 write to the card at 100 MBS? or is the max internal speed slower. I just do not want to spend extra for a card with faster capability than the K-3 can write.

11-08-2013, 07:06 AM	#5
derekkite Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nelson B.C. Posts: 3,782	https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/172-pentax-k-3/241594-anyone-worked-out-write-speed-yet.html Some quick tests.

11-08-2013, 07:09 AM	#6
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by RockvilleBob I just do not want to spend extra for a card with faster capability than the K-3 can write. I've got some Sandisk Extreme Pro (SDXC UHS-I) cards, and use them when I need snappy write speed doing bursts with the K-5. I've found that there is a real, noticeable difference between the Sandisk Pro's read/write speed in camera, compared to other Sandisks like the Extreme's and Ultras that I also have a few of. To test it out without spending a lot of money, just buy a 8GB card and give it a go. When I get my K-3, I'll be populating it's slots with Extreme Pros, probably 2x8GB. There are some comparative tests on SD cards in these forums, and on the web.

11-08-2013, 07:26 AM	#7
RockvilleBob Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Lewes DE USA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,780 Original Poster	Originally posted by rawr I've got some Sandisk Extreme Pro (SDXC UHS-I) cards, and use them when I need snappy write speed doing bursts with the K-5. I've found that there is a real, noticeable difference between the Sandisk Pro's read/write speed in camera, compared to other Sandisks like the Extreme's and Ultras that I also have a few of. To test it out without spending a lot of money, just buy a 8GB card and give it a go. When I get my K-3, I'll be populating it's slots with Extreme Pros, probably 2x8GB. There are some comparative tests on SD cards in these forums, and on the web. Thanks RAWR. I did get one SanDisk Extreme 32 GB 80mbs card with the K3 from B&H and ordered a second from Amazon Warehouse - seems like a good deal $39.65 with free shipping Amazon.com: Buying Choices: SanDisk Extreme 32 GB SDHC Class 10 UHS-1 Flash Memory Card 80MB/s (SDSDXS-032G-AFFP) The ExtremePro are rated at 95MBS but cost 50% more - they are also a good deal at Amazon Warehouse Amazon.com: Buying Choices: SanDisk Extreme Pro 32 GB SDHC Class 10 UHS-1 Flash Memory Card 95MB/s SDSDXPA-032G-AFFP

11-08-2013, 07:49 AM	#8
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Probably with the huge buffer on the K-3, the Extremes will do well enough for just about every situation, unless you do a lot of high fps + high-ISO (hence bigger files) shooting.

11-08-2013, 08:32 AM	#9
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	UHS-1 is a norm, assume the K-3 complies at least to the minimum of that norm and start shooting!

11-08-2013, 08:41 AM	#10
Painter Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 348	Originally posted by RockvilleBob Thanks RAWR. I did get one SanDisk Extreme 32 GB 80mbs card with the K3 from B&H and ordered a second from Amazon Warehouse - seems like a good deal $39.65 with free shipping Amazon.com: Buying Choices: SanDisk Extreme 32 GB SDHC Class 10 UHS-1 Flash Memory Card 80MB/s (SDSDXS-032G-AFFP) The ExtremePro are rated at 95MBS but cost 50% more - they are also a good deal at Amazon Warehouse Amazon.com: Buying Choices: SanDisk Extreme Pro 32 GB SDHC Class 10 UHS-1 Flash Memory Card 95MB/s SDSDXPA-032G-AFFP I am using the Sandisk 32gig 85MB/sec and it clears the buffer very fast

12-08-2013, 05:53 PM	#11
BretW Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 74	I'm stunned that the answer to this question isn't precisely quantifiable (and already quantified) by Pentax and/or professional reviewers. 1) Faster cards cost more. 2) Any money spent on a card that outstrips the camera's ability to write is wasted. 3) Cards that slow the camera down can cause missed shots, and waste part of the camera buyer's hardware investment. Given those three facts, why isn't the answer something like: The maximum write-speed of a K3 is 80mb/s, therefore any capacity above 80mb/s is unused, and any card slower than that mark is a potential bottleneck. ?

12-08-2013, 08:38 PM	#13
derekkite Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nelson B.C. Posts: 3,782	Originally posted by BretW I'm stunned that the answer to this question isn't precisely quantifiable (and already quantified) by Pentax and/or professional reviewers. 1) Faster cards cost more. 2) Any money spent on a card that outstrips the camera's ability to write is wasted. 3) Cards that slow the camera down can cause missed shots, and waste part of the camera buyer's hardware investment. Given those three facts, why isn't the answer something like: The maximum write-speed of a K3 is 80mb/s, therefore any capacity above 80mb/s is unused, and any card slower than that mark is a potential bottleneck. ? It isn't as simple as that. The SanDisk extreme pro has an algorithm this speeds up the calculations for which sector to allocate, preventing fragmentation. It was faster on my k5 even when the body didn't support uhs1. The stated speeds are burst, and less sophisticated cards degrade when partially full or having been through a number of write delete cycles without a format. And some just plain fail prematurely. The body supports a standard which is implemented by the various manufacturers. Life is never that simple.

12-08-2013, 10:38 PM	#14
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	I too would love to know if an extreme pro offers an advantage in the K-3 over a extreme 80 Mb/s card.

12-08-2013, 11:54 PM	#15
BretW Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 74	I take your point, derekite, but it only goes so far. I understand that the actual write speed is heavily dependant on complex phenomena. And that a single-number summary can be misleading ("Lies, damn lies, and benchmarks", as they used to say). But this is quantifiable in a simple matrix. If Pentax bodies make better use of a fast card, shouldn't Pentax be crowing about it, just as it does the max FPS? And if Pentax bodies are inferior in this regard, then shouldn't someone else be crowing? And then shouldn't the reviewers be testing cards and bodies head to head, in a systematic way to see who has an edge, and how big the effective difference? Why are lenses tested systematically and often quite quantifiably, while with memory cards we are left to speak anecdotally? Some things really are simple. Does a 64gb Sandisk Extreme Pro outperform a 64gb Sandisk Extreme Plus card in a k3 body under several memory intensive shooting scenarios? I'd bet the answer is simple, and if it is mixed, I bet the way in which it is mixed would be useful in prioritizing values and deciding where to spend, and where to cut corners. And if we did know, it would put pressure on card makers to innovate where it actually makes a difference.