What is the difference between all the different formats of Sony Memory Sticks?!

[Epsil0n00]

I just purchased a Sony Cybershot DSC-V3 camera and I am finding the choices in types of Memory Sticks daunting. It seems that there are two main groups: "Memory Stick" and "Memory Stick DUO." What is the difference between these and which is better to use in a camera.

This camera is 7MP, so I need to be able to transfer data as fast as possible to the memory stick... is it worth getting the High-Speed version of either the regular memory stick or the MS DUO? I picked up a 512 MS Pro with the camera... is this good... is there anything better?

I looked on Sony's website... but didn't find any helpful information there.
Thanks for the help!
Epsil0n

 

[Epsil0n00]

bump

 

[BigB10293]

Memory Stick Duo is smaller than memory stick and wont fit in the same slot. Other than that, they use the same interface and are similar in speed.

Most Sony cameras don't really support the high-speed cards, but they make transfer to the computer much easier. This is really true when taking high resolution photos that are rather large to transfer. The high speed cards also usually draw more current and drain the battery faster.

 

[imported_FishTaco]

Memory stick DUO is the smaller memory stick. DUO usually comes with an adapter so it'll fit into cameras that need the larger Memory Stick or Memory Stick Pro.

However, looking at the reviews for the DSC-V3, it looks like you can use Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro or Compact Flash type I. Of those 3, Compact Flash will be much cheaper per MB, so I would look for Compact Flash.

 

[AndrewR]

The DUO is intended for Sony's little cameras, like the T1. You can use them in the larger cameras with an adapter, but there's no advantage to buying them unless you get some fantastic deal.

As for the other Memory Sticks, you want the Memory Stick Pro, and there's even a newer one out with faster transfer speed. Not sure what the name is though. However, if you can use CompactFlash, buy that instead because you can use it with other cameras down the line if you upgrade to, say, a digital SLR.

BIG CAVEAT: If you buy CF, buy something with a high transfer speed, 40x or faster. With a large megapixel count, you need a fast transfer, or you'll be waiting on the data to write to the card. I tried a new 6.3 MP camera with a slow CF card, and it really, really sucks. So, if you factor in the need for a fast CF card, the price difference between MS Pro and CF isn't quite as dramatic. I like Memory Sticks -- nice and small but not flimsy. CF is just a tiny bit too large, but it really isn't that big of a deal.

Saw a deal the other day for 256MB MS Pro for $33. Good price.

 

[Epsil0n00]

well, I might have to check out the MS High Speed cards to see if that will improve the speed of the write times and transfer times.

It is true that this camera can use CF media... however, when using compact flash the write times are like 30% slower than Memory Stick... it also limits the movie mode to 15fps instead of 30fps when using a Memory Stick. So, unfortunately, the MS costs more, but in this case it is worth it. If there was no performance advantage I would certainly get CF instead!!!

Quote from dpreview.com:
"The V3 managed between 3 and 4 MB/sec with the Memory Stick and 2.3 to 2.8 MB/sec with the CF cards."

My guess is that Sony did this on purpose so that people will buy their over priced Memory Sticks instead of the more common and less expensive CF media.

Thanks!
Epsil0n

 

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: Epsil0n00
My guess is that Sony did this on purpose so that people will buy their over priced Memory Sticks instead of the more common and less expensive CF media.

Ding-ding-ding, we have a winner!

Just one of many, many unethical business practices Sony is guilty of.

 

[AndrewR]

Originally posted by: Gurck

Originally posted by: Epsil0n00
My guess is that Sony did this on purpose so that people will buy their over priced Memory Sticks instead of the more common and less expensive CF media.

Ding-ding-ding, we have a winner!

Just one of many, many unethical business practices Sony is guilty of.

STFU, troll. Companies aren't altruistic enterprises, and Sony cameras are excellent.

 

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: AndrewR
STFU, troll

What are you, 10? Come up with something better if you want a debate... 'u r teh no wut i meen, d00d??/?//'

 

[Epsil0n00]

Gurck...
How in the world did you get nearly 10,000 posts in one week!?

 

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: Epsil0n00
Gurck...
How in the world did you get nearly 10,000 posts in one week!?

I'm special (it's been a year)

 

[AkumaX]

Originally posted by: Epsil0n00
Gurck...
How in the world did you get nearly 10,000 posts in one week!?

haha

 

[Epsil0n00]

ROFLMAO! Okay, Okay... I need to realize that we are, in fact, in the year 2005. My bad...

still, that's a lot of posting for one year... 10000 posts in one year is believable...

 

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: Epsil0n00
ROFLMAO! Okay, Okay... I need to realize that we are, in fact, in the year 2005. My bad...

still, that's a lot of posting for one year... 10000 posts in one year is believable...

It's up there, ya... There are a few others with more sustained ppd.

 

[AndrewR]

Originally posted by: Gurck

Originally posted by: AndrewR
STFU, troll

What are you, 10? Come up with something better if you want a debate... 'u r teh no wut i meen, d00d??/?//'

No sense in debating someone with an agenda like yourself. Just because you dropped a Walkman when you were 5 doesn't make it acceptable to others to go around bashing a company -- that's called trolling. You contributed absolutely nothing to this thread, and that seems fairly common for you. Hence, STFU.

Did a Sony robot beat up your dog?