SDHC memory card

I'd like to buy some add'l memory cards for my camera. I'm currently using a 4GB card, which is fine. 2 more like this will last a long time.

I'm not familiar w/ "classes" of cards... Does class 4 vs class 10 make a big difference? Will my oldish camera be able to use either? This is a very small item; I just don't to buy the wrong thing.

Thanks.

What kind of camera do you have? Many point and shoots can use lower speed cards without issue. DSLR cameras typically use higher speed cards like class 10 and class 10 UH1

Camera is Micro Four Thirds. Olympus PEN 1. So the class designation refers to speed; can a class 4 device use a class 10- just at its normal slow speed. Thus it doesn't really make a bit of difference? Kinda like putting 4 lbs of apples in a 10 lb bag.

From Olympus' website:

SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) is a type of removable flash memory card that is an outgrowth of the SD (Secure Digital) format. SDHC cards have the same form factor as SD cards, although they can store much more data - up to 32 GB.
SDHC cards come in a variety of capacities and speed classes. A speed class refers to how quickly data can be written to the card.
The E-P1 can support SD and SDHC media up to 16 GB. Cards must have a minimum speed class of 6 in order to record movies with the E-P1.

So you can go up to 16GB and you need can use a class 6 thru 10.

Thanks Joy,

Followed up on your lead; mfr website. Finally found the right place for my model:

uses class 6 & 10 up to 32 GB.

I never would have guessed that it needs a faster class. This is especially true since further examination of the current card shows an unexplained 4 printed on it. Amazon currently has a 2 pack of class 10 8GB cards--- $11. As I said not a big purchase I just wanted to make sure I bought the right thing. In fact my take on it is that memory is so cheap I'll just keep used cards as back up storage and just use a new card whenever the current one is full.

Correction: that's a 3 pack of class 10; 8 GB SanDisk---- $18.

I hope the card is not the only place you are backing up your photos. Media like SD cards become obsolete rapidly. Within a few years they will become unreadable, and your photos will be lost.

A faster card allows the camera to "recover" and be ready to take the next picture faster than with a slower card. If the period between shots is OK with you, then you don't need a faster card.

Max is right. Your memory card should not be the only place where your pictures live. Don't think of it as permanent storage. Use the card to transfer pictures to your computer and maybe a cloud services as well. Then periodically empty the card and start again.

Amazon has a up to 60% off sale today only for SanDisk (highly regarded) memory cards. If you are in the market, jump on it today. http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=amb_link_441323602_3?node=12630570011&tag=wpcentralb-20&m1k=d_wp

New wrinkle- I found an old Kodak digital camera w/ a memory card. Is there any reason to NOT format in my Olympus and use as a new card for that cam?

Thanks

The old card might not have the amount of space your new camera needs. Also, it might not be fast enough. After you shoot, the camera takes a while to "write" the picture to your card. These cards get slower with use.

Ahhh yes-- card speed- now I remember. That's "Class x" right? The new card is marked SD HC 4GB just like my current one. They're also the same size and shape so I'm sure it will fit. Neither card is marked as to 'class'. Is there a way to check that?

max_weisenfeld said:
I hope the card is not the only place you are backing up your photos. Media like SD cards become obsolete rapidly. Within a few years they will become unreadable, and your photos will be lost.

By obsolete are we saying the card degenerates until it can't be read; even by the finest reader? or that the readers will be abandoned and the cards will be as useful as 8 track tapes (still have info but no way to access it)?

I hit on the idea of using the card as a storage device by a happy accident. Earlier this year I copied my pix to my 'new' computer, but I didn't erase 'em from the card. The computer ceased to work after 4 months and the HDD was taken as part of the 'repair'. So I would have lost those pix.

Finally, by 'cloud' service you're talking about one of those services I 've seen on tv. Would I be able to use the save function of my Yahoo email acct for this?

Thanks.