Memory Cards

FujiFilm, a Japanese company is the world’s largest photographic and imaging company that is well known for its quality photographic film and cameras. Being involved with photography, it is very hard for any company to be idle without manufacturing any Memory Cards as they are currently the major format of storage. Hence, Fuji also manufactures memory cards and this company proudly announced the introduction of their new 2GB version xD picture card digital camera storage media in the year 2006. The 1GB version was available since 2002 and this type of memory card earned a popular following called as a compact digital camera storage media. Since the need of a larger storage space increased, the 2GB version of xD Picture Card was introduced.

The MLC technology employed:

xD Picture Card Type M is based on a Multi Level Cell (MLC) technology, which is a high density flash memory technology. This technology makes sure that the card remains to be compact even with a larger capacity and hence the memory card maintains its dimensions to be a compact (H x W x D) 20mm x 25mm x 1.7mm and weighs less than one tenth of an ounce. Fuji boasts that its xD card is currently one of the smallest and the lightest flash memory cards that are available. The MLC technology has a potential storage capacity of up to 16GB.

Capacity:
As the title indicates, here we are discussing about the 2GB version of the xD card. At 2GB capacity, the card will be capable of holding approximately 2600 images of 3 megapixel resolution, 1200 of 6 megapixel and 800 images of 12megapixels.

Efficient storage space usage:

FujiFilm continues to upgrade and boost the performance of its xD picture cards in order to meet the latest trends and the increasing resolutions of digital cameras and the diversification of shooting styles too. “xD” originally stands for Extreme Digital and you might be wondering what the “Type M” in the model name stands for. The Type M denotes the Multi Level Cell Technology that we had previously discussed. The MLC technology makes sure that the xD card gets the maximum photographic storage space with minimal space or cost for this day’s most advanced and compact digital cameras.

Compatibility:

Fuji 2GB xD Picture Card Type M Flash Memory Card is compatible with most of the digital cameras and most USB card readers or writers, allowing the digital images on the card to be read directly via a computer USB port without having to involve the digital camera. The card can also be used to transfer and copy data, video and voice files. Using new, compressed methods of digital data storage, higher capacities are achievable with minimal impact on read and write times.

Disadvantages of xD cards:

We feel that it is our responsibility to point out the disadvantages of the xD format when compared to the other rival formats like Secure Digital, Compact Flash and Sony’s memory stick. The xD cards have a small maximum capacity relative to other memory card formats. These cards have not kept up with the transfer rate, or speed, of other cards, notably Compact Flash and SD but also the later versions of the Memory Stick. The fastest xD card offers less than 10% of the speed of current Compact Flash cards. Usually xD cards are much expensive than the cards of other formats. Since these types of cards have no wear levelling controller, they are likely to have shorter life then the other types of cards. Yet, when storage space alone is considered, it is the xD cards that make efficient use of the available space and hence, as far as picture storage is considered, the xD cards are the ideal ones.

Warranty:

FujiFilm offers 2GB xD Picture Card Type M a warranty of 5 years. This is quite insufficient as the other manufacturers offer lifetime warranty for their cards.

Verdict:

The Fuji 2GB xD Digital Camera Memory Card does a decent job as a memory card for the digital cameras. But xD cards have lost their market to SD cards because of their higher cost and limited usage in products other than digital cameras. However, if you do not care about the price and very small differences in transfer speeds, the Fuji xD card gives you the best value for its efficient usage of storage space.

Fuji 2GB xD Picture Card Type M - Technical Specifications, Features

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