Class 4 vs. Class6 SDHC Cards for K20D

WalterGA · 08-22-2009, 11:51 AM

Recently bought an 8Gb, class 4 card; today ordered a class 6, 16Gb card, both used in new K20D. Does the K20D write fast enough to utilize the faster card?

PentaxPZ · 08-22-2009, 01:27 PM

Purely a guess here...

But I'd say yes!
The K100D Super makes use of the class 6 card over the class 4 and 2 (even if not the full speed), as does the K-m...

So Id guess it would yes

tcdk · 08-22-2009, 01:34 PM

My K20D writes faster to my Sandisk Extreme III 30mb/s cards than to my cheap class 6 cards...

**Ash** · 08-22-2009, 02:14 PM

G'day Walter,
The question is: what brand is this class 6 card?
As tcdk says, the more reputable branded cards are reliably faster despite all being labelled as Class 6 cards.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-beginners-corner-q/69291-how-impor...rd-brands.html
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/camera-studio-accessories/58895-sd-sdhc-c...x-cameras.html
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/camera-studio-accessories/47973-sd-cards-...k20d-test.html

jimH · 08-22-2009, 02:30 PM

Originally posted by WalterGA

Recently bought an 8Gb, class 4 card; today ordered a class 6, 16Gb card, both used in new K20D. Does the K20D write fast enough to utilize the faster card?

I was advised by my Pentax repairman and dealer that my K10 needed to use a 133x card (20mb/s). What I found using slower cards that in burst mode the camera would take 4 or 5 shots and then pause for the card to catch up. When I installed a 133x card the burst mode didn't pause. I think you should use at least a Sandisk Extreme III card or it's equivalent to get maximum performance from your K20.

**David** · 08-22-2009, 02:32 PM

Originally posted by WalterGA

Recently bought an 8Gb, class 4 card; today ordered a class 6, 16Gb card, both used in new K20D. Does the K20D write fast enough to utilize the faster card?

K20D uses DDR2 memory, ie uses both sides of the clock cycle so it can use the fastest cards you can get.

David

WalterGA · 08-22-2009, 04:53 PM

Thanks for the input. The 16Gb card I just ordered is a Transcend from Amazon. AData had some bad reviews, but most folks who reviewed the Transcend seemed to like it. If it doesn't work, I can always return it to Amazon. I live in a really small town two-hundred miles away from the 21st century. Have to make most of my purchases online.

I recently used the 8Gb card (Polaroid class 4) for some e low-res burst shooting, and the card worked just fine. Most of my "continuous" shooting will be four-five frames of little girls softball games.

jimH · 08-22-2009, 05:24 PM

Originally posted by WalterGA

Thanks for the input. The 16Gb card I just ordered is a Transcend from Amazon. AData had some bad reviews, but most folks who reviewed the Transcend seemed to like it. If it doesn't work, I can always return it to Amazon. I live in a really small town two-hundred miles away from the 21st century. Have to make most of my purchases online.

I recently used the 8Gb card (Polaroid class 4) for some e low-res burst shooting, and the card worked just fine. Most of my "continuous" shooting will be four-five frames of little girls softball games.

Even though I use two 20mg/s cards in my K10, I still carry several slower (read cheaper) cards with me in case I need some backup cards.

happygui · 08-22-2009, 05:45 PM

Does K20d support 16G card? I have heard it only can support 8g card as maximum. Even I don't believe it, I want to make sure before I purchase any 16g card. Please advice. Thanks.

Jodokast96 · 08-22-2009, 05:56 PM

I've got a total of 18 or so cards. 6 are Extreme III's, the rest just standard cards. In normal use, I use what ever card I happen to grab out of the bag. For a something like the airshow I was at this week, I went with the normal cards for the first half, and saved the fast cards for the end. There is certainly a noticeable difference between them, but the standard cards didn't fare all that badly. Shooting RAW+, I only jammed the buffer twice.

billtin59 · 08-22-2009, 09:18 PM

Originally posted by happygui

Does K20d support 16G card? I have heard it only can support 8g card as maximum. Even I don't believe it, I want to make sure before I purchase any 16g card. Please advice. Thanks.

Yes, I use a Transcend 16G card in my K20 and it works fine

LeDave · 08-23-2009, 12:19 AM

PNY 4GB Optima class 4 card is 10 dollars cheaper than SanDisk 4GB Ultra II class 4 card at Best Buy. I bought the PNY to save money. I have a question, is PNY Optima class 4 slower than SanDisk Ultra II class 4?

On my package it says that it's National Geographic's preferred choice on the PNY so I thought it isn't some crappy brand since National Geographic sponsors it or something.

fb_penpho · 08-23-2009, 02:41 AM

Recently did a simple test on 8GB Transcend Class 6, SanDisk Ultra 2. The Transcend write speed was about 9MB/s and the SanDisk about 11MB/s. In the U.K. I can buy the Transcend a lot cheaper than the SanDisk. As for the top speed, Pentax customer service though the camera to memory chip top speed is was around 20-30MB/s. So if shooting RAW, the K20D will generate image data faster than it can write to the memory card. So Transcend Class 6 for me.

WalterGA · 08-23-2009, 06:53 AM

Originally posted by fb_penpho

Recently did a simple test on 8GB Transcend Class 6, SanDisk Ultra 2. The Transcend write speed was about 9MB/s and the SanDisk about 11MB/s. In the U.K. I can buy the Transcend a lot cheaper than the SanDisk. As for the top speed, Pentax customer service though the camera to memory chip top speed is was around 20-30MB/s. So if shooting RAW, the K20D will generate image data faster than it can write to the memory card. So Transcend Class 6 for me.

That's good news on the Transcend Class 6, which is what I've ordered. I'm sure it'll do fine for my purposes.

fb_penpho · 08-24-2009, 10:22 AM

Found this entry on DPREVIEW. Backs up my figure of about 9MB/s for the TRANSCEND CLASS6; but more interestingly indicates that the K20D memory interface tops out at about 13MB/s.

SDHC/SD card review thread for Pentax cameras: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

08-22-2009, 11:51 AM	#1
WalterGA Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Atlanta Posts: 110	Class 4 vs. Class6 SDHC Cards for K20D Recently bought an 8Gb, class 4 card; today ordered a class 6, 16Gb card, both used in new K20D. Does the K20D write fast enough to utilize the faster card?

08-23-2009, 02:41 AM	#13
fb_penpho Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London Photos: Gallery Posts: 212	SanDisk and Transcend Recently did a simple test on 8GB Transcend Class 6, SanDisk Ultra 2. The Transcend write speed was about 9MB/s and the SanDisk about 11MB/s. In the U.K. I can buy the Transcend a lot cheaper than the SanDisk. As for the top speed, Pentax customer service though the camera to memory chip top speed is was around 20-30MB/s. So if shooting RAW, the K20D will generate image data faster than it can write to the memory card. So Transcend Class 6 for me.

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08-22-2009, 01:27 PM	#2
PentaxPZ Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Camborne, Cornwall, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 377	Purely a guess here... But I'd say yes! The K100D Super makes use of the class 6 card over the class 4 and 2 (even if not the full speed), as does the K-m... So Id guess it would yes

08-22-2009, 01:34 PM	#3
tcdk Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 279	My K20D writes faster to my Sandisk Extreme III 30mb/s cards than to my cheap class 6 cards...

08-22-2009, 02:14 PM	#4
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	G'day Walter, The question is: what brand is this class 6 card? As tcdk says, the more reputable branded cards are reliably faster despite all being labelled as Class 6 cards. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-beginners-corner-q/69291-how-impor...rd-brands.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/camera-studio-accessories/58895-sd-sdhc-c...x-cameras.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/camera-studio-accessories/47973-sd-cards-...k20d-test.html

08-22-2009, 02:30 PM	#5
jimH Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Central Nebraska - USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,771	Originally posted by WalterGA Recently bought an 8Gb, class 4 card; today ordered a class 6, 16Gb card, both used in new K20D. Does the K20D write fast enough to utilize the faster card? I was advised by my Pentax repairman and dealer that my K10 needed to use a 133x card (20mb/s). What I found using slower cards that in burst mode the camera would take 4 or 5 shots and then pause for the card to catch up. When I installed a 133x card the burst mode didn't pause. I think you should use at least a Sandisk Extreme III card or it's equivalent to get maximum performance from your K20.

08-22-2009, 02:32 PM	#6
David Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sandy Bay, Tasmania, Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 347	Originally posted by WalterGA Recently bought an 8Gb, class 4 card; today ordered a class 6, 16Gb card, both used in new K20D. Does the K20D write fast enough to utilize the faster card? K20D uses DDR2 memory, ie uses both sides of the clock cycle so it can use the fastest cards you can get. David

08-22-2009, 04:53 PM	#7
WalterGA Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Atlanta Posts: 110 Original Poster	Thanks for the input. The 16Gb card I just ordered is a Transcend from Amazon. AData had some bad reviews, but most folks who reviewed the Transcend seemed to like it. If it doesn't work, I can always return it to Amazon. I live in a really small town two-hundred miles away from the 21st century. Have to make most of my purchases online. I recently used the 8Gb card (Polaroid class 4) for some e low-res burst shooting, and the card worked just fine. Most of my "continuous" shooting will be four-five frames of little girls softball games.

08-22-2009, 05:24 PM	#8
jimH Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Central Nebraska - USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,771	Originally posted by WalterGA Thanks for the input. The 16Gb card I just ordered is a Transcend from Amazon. AData had some bad reviews, but most folks who reviewed the Transcend seemed to like it. If it doesn't work, I can always return it to Amazon. I live in a really small town two-hundred miles away from the 21st century. Have to make most of my purchases online. I recently used the 8Gb card (Polaroid class 4) for some e low-res burst shooting, and the card worked just fine. Most of my "continuous" shooting will be four-five frames of little girls softball games. Even though I use two 20mg/s cards in my K10, I still carry several slower (read cheaper) cards with me in case I need some backup cards.

08-22-2009, 05:45 PM	#9
happygui Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: OHIO Posts: 211	Does K20d support 16G card? I have heard it only can support 8g card as maximum. Even I don't believe it, I want to make sure before I purchase any 16g card. Please advice. Thanks.

08-22-2009, 05:56 PM	#10
Jodokast96 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Erial, NJ USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,134	I've got a total of 18 or so cards. 6 are Extreme III's, the rest just standard cards. In normal use, I use what ever card I happen to grab out of the bag. For a something like the airshow I was at this week, I went with the normal cards for the first half, and saved the fast cards for the end. There is certainly a noticeable difference between them, but the standard cards didn't fare all that badly. Shooting RAW+, I only jammed the buffer twice.

08-22-2009, 09:18 PM	#11
billtin59 Banned Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Massachusetts, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 84	Originally posted by happygui Does K20d support 16G card? I have heard it only can support 8g card as maximum. Even I don't believe it, I want to make sure before I purchase any 16g card. Please advice. Thanks. Yes, I use a Transcend 16G card in my K20 and it works fine

08-23-2009, 12:19 AM	#12
LeDave Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minneapolis - St. Paul Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,067	PNY 4GB Optima class 4 card is 10 dollars cheaper than SanDisk 4GB Ultra II class 4 card at Best Buy. I bought the PNY to save money. I have a question, is PNY Optima class 4 slower than SanDisk Ultra II class 4? On my package it says that it's National Geographic's preferred choice on the PNY so I thought it isn't some crappy brand since National Geographic sponsors it or something.

08-23-2009, 06:53 AM	#14
WalterGA Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Atlanta Posts: 110 Original Poster	Originally posted by fb_penpho Recently did a simple test on 8GB Transcend Class 6, SanDisk Ultra 2. The Transcend write speed was about 9MB/s and the SanDisk about 11MB/s. In the U.K. I can buy the Transcend a lot cheaper than the SanDisk. As for the top speed, Pentax customer service though the camera to memory chip top speed is was around 20-30MB/s. So if shooting RAW, the K20D will generate image data faster than it can write to the memory card. So Transcend Class 6 for me. That's good news on the Transcend Class 6, which is what I've ordered. I'm sure it'll do fine for my purposes.

08-24-2009, 10:22 AM	#15
fb_penpho Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London Photos: Gallery Posts: 212	Found this entry on DPREVIEW. Backs up my figure of about 9MB/s for the TRANSCEND CLASS6; but more interestingly indicates that the K20D memory interface tops out at about 13MB/s. SDHC/SD card review thread for Pentax cameras: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review