Reliable, quick SDHC for K20D?

Mindflux · 10-12-2008, 08:23 AM

I've got a K20D landing Tuesday from Amazon and I just realized I don't have a good high capacity SD card. Can anyone suggest a reliable, FAST card that works well with the Pentax bodies?

Thanks!

SpecialK · 10-12-2008, 11:26 AM

You will get 20 different replies to this.

Transend has some sales going, through Amazon. I've got a bunch of 4g, 2 x 8g and a 16g (some with readers) coming. They are Class 6 which seems fast enough for me. I think the K20D buffer goes for about 9 RAW, which I have not approached yet.

I also have Kingston 4 g's from a while back, a couple Lexar 2g's, and some Ultra II's of 1g and 2g from my K100D days that I expect will be fine (i'm unloading the 1g's as they are a bit tiny now...)

The Sandisk Extreme III is popular. I think Adorama has some deals on them, though they are still fairly expensive.

Mindflux · 10-12-2008, 12:18 PM

Thanks! I was eyeing those Transcend's though I know that "Class 6" is no guarantee on optimum performance. The prices sure are hard to beat though.

soccerjoe5 · 10-12-2008, 12:19 PM

I use Sandisk Extreme III 8GB SDHC cards. Had them for about 4 months now and had zero problems.

I used Transcends before and they were very good too. Never had problems with them on my D80.

Mindflux · 10-12-2008, 12:22 PM

Originally posted by soccerjoe5

I use Sandisk Extreme III 8GB SDHC cards. Had them for about 4 months now and had zero problems.

I used Transcends before and they were very good too. Never had problems with them on my D80.

Maybe I'll give those Transcend's a go. I'll check out those Extreme III's too, thought they are a bit pricey.

rdrum76 · 11-02-2008, 04:48 PM

just bought 4 GB sandisk ultra II for $30 with free shiping from Adorama; better price than bhphoto, which is a nice surprise

thanks for the advice

rdrum76 · 11-02-2008, 05:07 PM

is this the right extreme card? what is the difference bwt compact flash memory and SD?

http://www.adorama.com/IDSCFE34G30M.html

it seems there is a nice rebate offer

Last edited by rdrum76; 11-02-2008 at 05:14 PM. Reason: link

Mik · 11-04-2008, 09:52 AM

I use a pair of 4GB SDHC class 6 cards from Panasonic. I had a pair of 2GB SD class 6 Panasonics before. They all work great with my K10D. I've never had to wait between raw shots using them, and my shots appear on the LCD really quickly. They each also come with quite nice cases (better than the generic plastic cases from other brands). They're made in Japan and overall they just feel like quality cards. Panasonic's cards tend to be overpriced a lot of the time, at least here in Canada, so I bought mine when they went on sale. I believe Panasonic was also one of the original developers of SD memory cards, if that matters to you.

For comparison, I also bought a cheap Patriot 16GB SDHC "class 6" card that is really quite slow shooting raw. I have to wait a noticeable amount of time for my shots to display. It also feels really cheap compared to the Panasonics. I'd be worried about saving 16GB of irreplaceable photos to the Patriot.

Venturi · 11-04-2008, 10:05 AM

Originally posted by rdrum76

is this the right extreme card? what is the difference bwt compact flash memory and SD?

SDCFX3004GA31 SanDisk 4 GB Extreme III Compact Flash Memory Card

it seems there is a nice rebate offer

You'll need the SDHC version. Compact Flash (CF) cards won't fit in Pentax DSLRs.
SDSDX3004GA31 SanDisk 4 GB, Extreme III Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) Memory Card, Class 6

rburgoss · 11-04-2008, 10:24 AM

Whatever you choose, be aware of this: Fake Memory Cards - OCAU Wiki

Buy always from reputable stores. Stay away from online sources that do not have a real address or front store.

Robert B.

rfortson · 11-04-2008, 10:33 AM

I've had good luck with Transcend 8GB Class 6 cards. I don't know how the performance matches other cards, but it's never affected my shooting so I'm happy.

I also just bought a Kingston 8GB Class 6 card from Buy.com for $20. Fine so far.

Newegg.com is a good place to find memory. Good prices and the user reviews are handy. If the card has a problem, you'll read about it there. The other usual suspects (Buy.com, Amazon, the online camera stores, et al) also have good prices. I'd avoid ebay sellers and just stick to the normal internet sites.

$20 for 8GB is a decent price nowdays.

Stratman · 11-04-2008, 08:51 PM

I bought the Transcend 8 gb HCSD card from Amazon with a reader for a bit over $20. On my K10D at highest jpeg setting, over 1600 images, RAW PEF files, i can get over 400, not bad !!! Especially considering, about 6 years ago, I paid $150 for a 256 MB CF card, haha

10-12-2008, 08:23 AM	#1
Mindflux Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 150	Reliable, quick SDHC for K20D? I've got a K20D landing Tuesday from Amazon and I just realized I don't have a good high capacity SD card. Can anyone suggest a reliable, FAST card that works well with the Pentax bodies? Thanks!

11-04-2008, 09:52 AM	#8
Mik New Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 16	I use a pair of 4GB SDHC class 6 cards from Panasonic. I had a pair of 2GB SD class 6 Panasonics before. They all work great with my K10D. I've never had to wait between raw shots using them, and my shots appear on the LCD really quickly. They each also come with quite nice cases (better than the generic plastic cases from other brands). They're made in Japan and overall they just feel like quality cards. Panasonic's cards tend to be overpriced a lot of the time, at least here in Canada, so I bought mine when they went on sale. I believe Panasonic was also one of the original developers of SD memory cards, if that matters to you. For comparison, I also bought a cheap Patriot 16GB SDHC "class 6" card that is really quite slow shooting raw. I have to wait a noticeable amount of time for my shots to display. It also feels really cheap compared to the Panasonics. I'd be worried about saving 16GB of irreplaceable photos to the Patriot. Last edited by Mik; 11-04-2008 at 10:20 AM.

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10-12-2008, 11:26 AM	#2
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	You will get 20 different replies to this. Transend has some sales going, through Amazon. I've got a bunch of 4g, 2 x 8g and a 16g (some with readers) coming. They are Class 6 which seems fast enough for me. I think the K20D buffer goes for about 9 RAW, which I have not approached yet. I also have Kingston 4 g's from a while back, a couple Lexar 2g's, and some Ultra II's of 1g and 2g from my K100D days that I expect will be fine (i'm unloading the 1g's as they are a bit tiny now...) The Sandisk Extreme III is popular. I think Adorama has some deals on them, though they are still fairly expensive.

10-12-2008, 12:18 PM	#3
Mindflux Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 150 Original Poster	Thanks! I was eyeing those Transcend's though I know that "Class 6" is no guarantee on optimum performance. The prices sure are hard to beat though.

10-12-2008, 12:19 PM	#4
soccerjoe5 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,343	I use Sandisk Extreme III 8GB SDHC cards. Had them for about 4 months now and had zero problems. I used Transcends before and they were very good too. Never had problems with them on my D80.

10-12-2008, 12:22 PM	#5
Mindflux Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 150 Original Poster	Originally posted by soccerjoe5 I use Sandisk Extreme III 8GB SDHC cards. Had them for about 4 months now and had zero problems. I used Transcends before and they were very good too. Never had problems with them on my D80. Maybe I'll give those Transcend's a go. I'll check out those Extreme III's too, thought they are a bit pricey.

11-02-2008, 04:48 PM	#6
rdrum76 Inactive Account Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 221	just bought 4 GB sandisk ultra II for $30 with free shiping from Adorama; better price than bhphoto, which is a nice surprise thanks for the advice

11-02-2008, 05:07 PM	#7
rdrum76 Inactive Account Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 221	is this the right extreme card? what is the difference bwt compact flash memory and SD? http://www.adorama.com/IDSCFE34G30M.html it seems there is a nice rebate offer Last edited by rdrum76; 11-02-2008 at 05:14 PM. Reason: link

11-04-2008, 10:05 AM	#9
Venturi Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tulsa, OK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,636	Originally posted by rdrum76 is this the right extreme card? what is the difference bwt compact flash memory and SD? SDCFX3004GA31 SanDisk 4 GB Extreme III Compact Flash Memory Card it seems there is a nice rebate offer You'll need the SDHC version. Compact Flash (CF) cards won't fit in Pentax DSLRs. SDSDX3004GA31 SanDisk 4 GB, Extreme III Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) Memory Card, Class 6

11-04-2008, 10:24 AM	#10
rburgoss Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Jose, Costa Rica Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 972	Whatever you choose, be aware of this: Fake Memory Cards - OCAU Wiki Buy always from reputable stores. Stay away from online sources that do not have a real address or front store. Robert B.

11-04-2008, 10:33 AM	#11
rfortson Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Houston TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,129	I've had good luck with Transcend 8GB Class 6 cards. I don't know how the performance matches other cards, but it's never affected my shooting so I'm happy. I also just bought a Kingston 8GB Class 6 card from Buy.com for $20. Fine so far. Newegg.com is a good place to find memory. Good prices and the user reviews are handy. If the card has a problem, you'll read about it there. The other usual suspects (Buy.com, Amazon, the online camera stores, et al) also have good prices. I'd avoid ebay sellers and just stick to the normal internet sites. $20 for 8GB is a decent price nowdays.

11-04-2008, 08:51 PM	#12
Stratman Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: St Louis, Missouri U S A Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,464	I bought the Transcend 8 gb HCSD card from Amazon with a reader for a bit over $20. On my K10D at highest jpeg setting, over 1600 images, RAW PEF files, i can get over 400, not bad !!! Especially considering, about 6 years ago, I paid $150 for a 256 MB CF card, haha

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