SD Speed Class Specifications Enable Manufacturers to Offer Cameras With Guaranteed Minimum Performance Capabilities

The SD Card Association (SDA) announced today at PMA 2007 that more than 55 camera models from 10 camera manufacturers now offer SDHC Memory Card compatibility. Introduced last year, SD High-Capacity (SDHC) cards provide removable storage greater than 2GB, and specify three data-writing speeds to guarantee minimum data transfer rates.

"SDHC Memory Cards preserve photographic integrity, raising the memory performance bar by guaranteeing minimum -- more important than maximum -- performance rates," said Paul Reinhardt, executive director of the SD Card Association. "Professionals and consumers alike need only match the camera's recommended speed class with the right SDHC card to achieve high-quality transfers."

The three SDHC speed classes -- Class 2, Class 4 and Class 6 -- transfer data at least 2, 4 and 6 gigabytes (GB) per second. SDHC-specified cameras detect the fragmented state in the SDHC card and determine the best speed and location for the data. The SD Speed Class is also a specification for standard SD cards.

"Demand for high-capacity devices, fueled by higher resolution image sensors and better quality video capabilities, drives the need for higher performance memory storage products," said Joseph Unsworth, principal analyst at Gartner. "The SD Card format is the most widely adopted standard in the industry and the evolution to SD Speed Class specifications will allow the SD Card format to continue to meet the needs of these devices."

SDHC-enabled cameras accommodate SDHC Memory Cards and are backward compatible with SD Memory Cards. Data on SDHC cards is protected even if inserted in an incompatible device; SDHC cards will work in standard SD slots with a firmware upgrade.

Currently shipping camera manufacturers with products supporting SDHC include:

• Canon
• Casio
• Leica
• Nikon
• Panasonic
• Pentax
• Ricoh
• Samsung
• Sanyo
• Uniden