Digital Camera News and Reviews

SanDisk 32 Gigabyte MicroSDHC Card

SanDisk has announced the first ever 32 Gigabyte MicroSDHC Memory Card. This is good news for mobile phone owners that use MicroSDHC memory cards as it easy to fill up smaller memory cards. In addition the camera sensor on mobile phones are getting more megapixels which means that the picture files get bigger and bigger.

The SanDisk 32 Gigabyte MicroSDHC Card will be available in March 2010 and cost around $200.

Press release:
SanDisk First To Ship 32 Gigabyte MicroSDHC Card

Consumers Unleash the Potential of Smartphones With Highest-Capacity Memory Card for Mobile Phones

Milpitas, Calif., March 22, 2010 – SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK), the global leader in flash memory cards, today announced that it will begin shipping the world’s highest-capacity removable memory card for mobile phones – the 32 gigabyte (GB)1SanDisk microSDHC™ card. The new microSDHC card offers consumers an unprecedented level of freedom and flexibility in how they store, send and enjoy digital content.

“With the large volume of photos, videos and music that consumers create and carry around, a high-capacity memory card is a must-have component of today’s smartphone,” said Sanjay Mehrotra, president and chief operating officer, SanDisk. “This is the highest-capacity card of its type, and SanDisk is pleased to be the first to ship such an advanced product. This marks yet another important first in our innovative history in the flash memory industry.”

Smartphones have evolved far beyond the simple phone call. They serve as mobile offices, music players, movie theaters, cameras, video recorders, GPS devices and gateways to the mobile Internet. The highly-versatile 32GB SanDisk microSDHC card delivers immediate memory expansion that lets consumers enjoy the storage-intensive features of their advanced handsets. For example, the 32GB SanDisk microSDHC card can store enough music to outlast 35 round-trip flights between San Francisco and New York before repeating a single song.

The 32GB SanDisk microSDHC card is available starting Tuesday, 3/23/10 on SanDisk.com U.S. and European e-commerce sites, with worldwide retail availability to follow next month. The new card comes with a 5 year limited warranty and carries a suggested retail price of $199.99.

The 32GB SanDisk microSDHC card also lets mobile network operators (MNO) and handset manufacturers (OEMs) equip their subscribers with enough storage to match the industry’s leading smartphones. By bundling SanDisk’s new card with the phone, consumers get high-capacity mobile storage in a convenient form factor. SanDisk microSDHC cards are also available in 2, 4, 8 and 16GB capacities and are shipping today in volume.

SanDisk is mass producing the new cards based on its industry-leading, third-generation 32nm X3 (3-bit-per-cell) technology, which makes a 32GB capacity possible in such a small form factor. The successful development and wide distribution of many X3-based products through OEM and retail channels in recent years demonstrates both the technology’s maturity and SanDisk’s ability to quickly bring it to market.

SanDisk microSDHC cards adhere to the stringent quality expectations of top-tier handset manufacturers and MNOs, and SanDisk is taking orders now. To meet the specific needs of different OEM customers, the 32GB SanDisk microSDHC card is available in a variety of card and adapter configurations as well as with the option to pre-load the card with custom software.

About SanDisk
SanDisk Corporation is the global leader in flash memory cards, from research, manufacturing and product design to consumer branding and retail distribution. SanDisk’s product portfolio includes flash memory cards for mobile phones, digital cameras and camcorders; digital audio/video players; USB flash drives for consumers and the enterprise; embedded memory for mobile devices; and solid state drives for computers.SanDisk is a Silicon Valley-based S&P 500 company, with more than half its sales outside the United States.

Transcend Ultimate Class 10 SDHC

Transcend has announced a new series of SDHC memory cards. The series is called Transcend Ultimate Class 10 SDHC memory cards and has improved transfer speeds with transfer speeds of 20MB/s. The memory cards has capacity up to 16GB and should be able to run high end HD movies without any lag.

Transcend Ultimate Class 10 SDHC memory cards will be available with capacities from 4GB to 16GB.

Press release:
Enjoy High-speed Consecutive Shooting with Transcend Ultimate Class 10 SDHC™ Cards

Transcend Information, Inc. (Transcend), a worldwide leader in storage and multimedia products, is proud to announce the launch of its Ultimate Class 10 SDHC™ cards. Part of Transcend’s “Ultimate” line of powerful high-speed memory cards, the new Class 10 SDHC ™cards easily outperform current Class 6 cards, with enhanced transfer speeds of 20MB/s and massive storage capacity of up to 16GB.

Ultra-fast Write Speed
As high-tech gadgets become increasingly advanced with ever-improving video and audio quality, memory card write speed plays an important role in taking high-megapixel pictures and shooting high-definition videos. Featuring the top-of-the-line Class 10 speed rating introduced by the SD™ Card Association this year as part of its new SD™ 3.0 specification, Transcend’s new Ultimate series SDHC™ cards provide blazing fast performance tailored specifically for high-speed consecutive shooting as well as smooth HD video recording.

Compared to Class 2 cards that only guarantee write speeds of 2MB/s, or Class 6 versions that start at 6MB/s, the new Class 10 SDHC™ cards boast 16MB/s write and 20MB/s read speeds that help process data quickly and prevent lag when recording 1920×1080 Full HD videos at 60fps. Transcend Ultimate Class 10 SDHC™ cards offer impressive data transfer rates, giving users the ability to unlock the full capabilities of their DSLR cameras.

Vast Storage Capacity for Memory-hungry Devices
To meet the requirements of high-megapixel DSLRs that can fill memory cards quickly, Transcend Ultimate SDHC™ cards are available in high-capacity sizes ranging from 4GB to 16GB. The 16GB SDHC™ card can store up to 6552 pictures (based on 5 megapixel JPEG compression format), over 88 hours of standard quality video (MPEG-4 video at 384 Kbps), or 240 minutes of HD video (AVCHD at 9 Mbps), providing photography enthusiasts with sufficient space for their high-resolution digital masterpieces. Currently offered in 4GB, 8GB to 16GB versions, Transcend’s new Ultimate series Class 10 SDHC™ cards are highly recommended for entry to mid-level digital camera or camcorder users.

Eye-Fi Pro X2

Eye-Fi has announced a new memory card called Eye-Fi Pro X2 8GB. The Eye-Fi Pro X2 memory card is supposed to be the fastest and largest from the company. The memory card is able to wireless transfer photos and videos to your computer and 25 photo and video sharing sites on the net. Among the sites we find Flickr, Picasa and Facebook.

The Eye-Fi Pro X2 will be availble later this year for about $150.

Press release:
Eye-Fi Unveils Next Generation Experience and the World’s Most Advanced Memory Card

New Endless Memory Mode Gives Users Virtually Unlimited Storage
Eye-Fi Introduces Eye-Fi Center, Software that Makes Sharing Photos and Videos Easier

INTERNATIONAL CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW, LAS VEGAS, NV — Eye-Fi Inc. has developed the next generation Eye-Fi experience, which includes an entirely new platform and more flexible sharing options. Unveiled today, the 8GB Eye-Fi Pro X2 is powered by Eye-Fi’s proprietary X2 engine and is the company’s revolutionary step in achieving high-end memory card performance. Photo enthusiasts will benefit from increased storage capacity, Class 6 performance for faster read/write speeds, faster-than-ever wireless photo and video uploads and increased Wi-Fi range.

Eye-Fi Pro X2 users will also benefit from a new feature, Endless Memory mode, which enables the Eye-Fi card to automatically make space available after photos and videos are uploaded. Last, Eye-Fi is introducing Eye-Fi Center, a new desktop application that gives users more options in sharing their digital memories.

“With the introduction of our first wireless memory card, we made backing up and sharing photos effortless. Now, we’re again redefining what is possible with a leap forward in technology, performance and user experience,” said Jef Holove, CEO of Eye-Fi. “The new X2 engine delivers further on the promise of a connected device – more convenience and virtually endless storage capacity, so there is no cap on the memories that can be captured.”

The Eye-Fi Pro X2 has been honored this year as a CES Innovations Honoree. More information will be available in Eye-Fi’s CES booth in the Digital Imaging Zone of South Hall Three at the LVCC, #31916.

Eye-Fi Pro X2 – Faster than Ever

The 8GB SDHC Eye-Fi Pro X2 is powered by Eye-Fi’s proprietary X2 engine which includes an exclusively designed chip and an 802.11n radio. The X2 engine enables greater flexibility in memory capacity and faster read write/speeds, achieving Class 6 performance. The 802.11n radio and a new antenna design enable faster wireless uploads and increased Wi-Fi range, and still support the 802.11b and 802.11g standards.

The Eye-Fi Pro X2 wirelessly uploads JPEG and RAW images and videos from the camera to computer and one of 25 online photo and video sharing sites, such as Flickr, Picasa or Facebook. It also allows users to create an ad hoc connection directly to their computer to wirelessly upload photos and videos while away from a wireless router. Or users can upload away from home at more than 10,000 Wayport and open hotspots. Pro X2 automatically geotags photos with information about where the images were taken.

It is available for pre-order on http://www.eye.fi and at select online retailers such as Amazon.com for an MSRP of $149.99.

“More and more we’re seeing smart devices like the Eye-Fi card that enable a better user experience. With the volume of photos and videos that are taken every day, consumers want a fast, convenient way to get their images off their camera to their computer and the Web for further processing and sharing,” said Alan Bullock of InfoTrends. “Eye-Fi allows consumers to add these capabilities for far less than the cost of a wireless camera.”
Endless Memory – No Cap to the Number of Memories that Can be Captured

In Endless Memory mode users can choose to have Eye-Fi automatically make space available on their Eye-Fi Pro X2. Using the card’s ability to communicate with the Eye-Fi Service, it receives confirmation whenever photos and videos are safely delivered to the user’s computer and/or online sharing site. When the card reaches the user’s pre-determined amount of space used, it will remove files that have been safely uploaded, beginning with the oldest – even when the card is not connected to the network. If files have not yet been uploaded, the Pro X2 will not remove them. This option can be set up in Eye-Fi Center.

Eye-Fi Center – Easier Storing and Sharing on Multiple Sharing Sites

Eye-Fi also introduced Eye-Fi Center, a new desktop application for managing the Eye-Fi card and experience. Eye-Fi Center has a redesigned interface that is easy to navigate and use, with drag and drop capabilities. Eye-Fi Center allows users to easily select and republish photos and videos to different online locations, so users can share on multiple sites. It also allows users to get any photos or videos on their computer (even those not uploaded with an Eye-Fi card) into the Eye-Fi system, where they can be easily published online. And it allows users to access some features, even when not connected to the Internet, such as adding a wireless network to their card.

Eye-Fi Center will be available for download later this month.

CES Innovations Honoree

The Eye-Fi Pro X2 has been named an International CES Innovations 2010 Design and Engineering Award Honoree for the X2 engine’s innovative design qualities. Products entered in this program are judged by a panel of independent industrial designers, engineers and members of the media to honor cutting edge consumer electronics products. It will be on display in the Grand Lobby of the LVCC during the 2010 International CES.

Eye-Fi’s current line-up of wireless SD and SDHC memory cards range in price from $49-$149 and are available at http://www.eye.fi, in store at Apple Retail Stores and Best Buy locations, and at major online retailers such as Amazon.com and Walmart.com.

Eye-Fi has received numerous product awards including Popular Photography’s 2009 Photography’s Outstanding Products (POP) awards and “Last Gadget Standing” at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas for the second year in a row. For more information, please visit http://www.eye.fi or follow us on Twitter @EyeFiCard.

About Eye-Fi

Founded in 2005, Eye-Fi is dedicated to building products and services that help consumers manage, nurture and share their visual memories. Eye-Fi’s patent-pending technology wirelessly and automatically uploads photos and videos from digital imaging devices, including digital cameras and the iPhone, to online, in-home and retail destinations. Headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., the company’s investors include LMS Capital, Opus Capital, Shasta Ventures and TransLink Capital.

Sony Memory Stick PRO Duo 32GB

Sony has announced the highest-capacity Memory Stick PRO Duo to date. The card is called Sony Memory Stick PRO Duo 32GB and it lets handycam owners record full HD movies (1920 x 1080 Full HD) for 225 minutes using this memory stick card. Owners of the latest models of Cyber-shot digital cameras can record up to 29 minutes of video in Fine mode (MP4 1280 x 720).

The Sony Memory Stick PRO Duo 32GB memory card will be on the marked in September 2009 and cost about $200.

Press release:
Highest Capacity 32GB Model Added To Memory Stick PRO Duo™ Range

• 32GB ideal for stable long-duration HD recording with Handycam®
• Perfect for new Cyber-shot® features including extended video capture and super-fast continuous shooting

The Memory Stick PRO Duo line now goes all the way up to 32GB thanks to the launch of a new high-capacity model.

The Memory Stick PRO Duo 32GB will have a particular appeal to the owners of HD Handycam who need long-duration, stable HD recording capability.

To put this in context, Handycam owners shooting in FH mode (1920 x 1080 Full HD) can now record 225 minutes (3 hours 45 minutes) of HD video using a single card. It is perfect for events such as weddings, birthday parties, and athletic events. You do not have to worry about running out of memory!

HD Handycams are not the only things that will benefit from the size and stable recording characteristics of the 32GB card.

For example, HD video clips capture the moments by using the latest models of Cyber-Shot. And with the latest models of Cyber-shot, each video clip now can be recorded up to 29 minutes (using Fine mode: MP4 1280 x 720). You can enjoy shooting Video clips with Cyber-shot more than ever.

And newly announced Cyber-shot™ TX1 and WX1 are allowing a continuous burst of full-resolution images and creating sweeping panoramas by combining a burst of images. These outstanding features demand an uncompromising approach to the memory. With its ability to store 7 hours 38 minutes of HD video (1280 x 720, 30 fps,mono) or 6,500 pictures at 12 megapixel resolution pictures, the Memory Stick PRO Duo 32GB is great news for Cyber-shot owners as well as anyone with an HD Handycam.