Low Compatibility Limits xD Memory Cards

Fujifilm and Olympus produced their xD memory cards (extreme Digital) in 2002 and have since tried to keep up with their competitor, the Secure Digital (SD) memory cards.

Technology has continued to evolve, and both companies are finally beginning to slow down on xD card production in favor of the widespread and infinitely more flexible SD format.

No Compatibility

One of the reasons SD cards are so popular is because they are supported by such a large number of electronic devices. The SD’s are compatible with video games, PDA’s, video recorders, and of course digital cameras.

On the other hand, the xD card is exclusive to Fujifilm and Olympus digital cameras. There are SD cards on the market now that can store up to 32 GB of space. The maximum for an xD card is 2 GB — hardly enough for most higher end electronics.

The xD cards also have some bad word of mouth due to their difficulties with compatibility with software and some accessories for cameras. A lot of trouble can come from this, as users who want a simple process will wind up mired in a drawn out mess.

Image Trouble

Digital cameras are meant to record our important life moments so we can relive them after the fact. The most troubling problem that xD card users have experienced is data corruption, and it’s happened so often that more than likely every xD card owner will lose their data at least one time in their use, if not more.

Some of the more common activities that will trash your stuff include buttons being pushed in the middle of a camera load, for instance, or removing your card without first turning off your camera.

An SD card isn’t an exception to data corruption, but it’s mentioned far less often than the xD. Corruption can screw up any camera’s output, but the xD’s number of complaints is bordering on the legendary.

Pricey Product

Even though the xD is inferior to the SD in almost every respect, it is somehow much higher priced. Amazon.com lists a 2 GB Olympus xD card at $17.50, while the SD alternative of the same virtual size is $8.49.

The quality differences are so extreme that it is not surprising that more and more consumers are buying devices with SD memory card compatibility rather than the xD.

The SD is actually older than the xD — it originated in’99 — but it has changed with the times by expanding its storage space and offering more and more compatibility for every type of device in the market today.

As long as SD continues to prosper, it’s a no-brainer that Olympus and Fujifilm should forget about the xD and create something new for today’s customers.

Fujifilm and Olympus still supply xD memory cards for now. The xD digital memory card format can be still bought at normal pricing, so buy one right now if you’re in need of one for your camera. There are many new digital camera models to look at as well, so shop for all your digital memory cards at a trusted website today.