Lexar Media 512 MB 80x Pro Series Compact Flash Card (CF512-80-380)

Rating:
Summary: How many pictures will it store?
Review: How many pictures will it store? It is the most commonly asked question from digital camera enthusiast but usually the question that is the most difficult to get a straight answer about. Well, considering I worked in the memory industry for over 7 years I can help clarify this perplexing question and do so unbiased as I have since changed industries.

The Lexar Media 512MB 80x Pro Series Compact Flash Card, like most 512MB cards, will store on average 568 pictures when used with a 2 megapixel camera, 426 images when used with a 3 megapixel camera, 256 pictures when used with a 4 megapixel camera, 204 images when used with a 5 megapixel camera, and 160 pictures when used with a 6 megapixel camera. These numbers are based off the assumption that you are going to shoot your images at the highest quality JPEG setting available for the camera and understand that they are estimates and may be off by as much as 10 percent due to numerous factors including the complexity of the scene being shot and the compression algorithm used by your specific camera.

I truly hope this review was helpful to you in determining whether this 512MB card is the right capacity for your specific needs.

Rating:
Summary: Pound for Pound, a Great Value!
Review: Before you purchase anything larger, you should consider at least 3 key factors: (1) determine your actual capacity needs; (2) look at the speed of the Compact Flash card; and (3) choose a reputable brand known for high quality. I use a Canon S500 camera, which takes 5.0MB pictures. I thought that I needed a 1GB card, but after going on vacation, I found that this card holds plenty of photos to fulfill my needs. Generally speaking, it can hold about 190 photos on one card, possibly more if I decrease the resolution. I purchased 2 of these cards to be safe, just in case I either lost the card, damaged it, or if it somehow malfunctioned. Having 2 separate cards, I won't lose my all of my photos if something goes wrong. I can take nearly 400 photos on 2 of these cards. I can't remember the last time I ever took that many photos on one outing. Also look at the speed of the Compact Flash card. This one is amongst the fastest available on the market, even faster than the Ultra II series. Transfer rates on other cards are approximately 25% slower, yet cost about the same. This card is not only a good value, Lexar is a high-quality, reputable company. Generic brands pose a real risk of malfunctioning, which is the last thing you'd want to leave to chance with your prized digital photos.

Rating:
Summary: My experience with the 40x card...
Review: Before you purchase this card, make sure that your camera supports the Write Acceleration Technology. I purchased Lexar's 40x 256MB card (with Write Acceleration) about a year ago for my Minolta DiMage 7Hi camera, and realized my camera did not support the new technology. The CF card still worked, but there was no increase in speed over other cards.

I checked Lexar's website, and it said that my camera does not support the Write Acceleration technology. The link is here: http://www.lexar.com/digfilm/wa_cf.html


Current camera partners supporting WA technology: Kodak Professional, Nikon, Sanyo, Sigma, Pentax, Olympus

- Current (as of this review) cameras supporting WA technology:
- All Kodak Professional cameras and pro camera backs, such as the DCS Pro Back 645, DCS Pro Back Plus, DCS 720x, DCS 760, DCS 760m and DCS 14n
- Nikon D1x, D1h, D-100 (Requires camera firmware upgrade by Nikon. See Nikon's web page for more details) and D2h
- Sanyo DSC-MZ3
- Sigma SD-9
- Sigma SD10
- Pentax *ist D
- Olympus E1

Lexar USB Card Reader (included... note: this was with my 40x card. you may or may not experience the same issue.):
- Works only with Lexar CF Cards. Attempted to use with SanDisk and Kingston CF Cards but did not work. Should not be a problem if you only use Lexar products. However, if you do, consider buying a separate card reader.


For a full breakdown of how many pictures you can take with different card capacities, go to http://www.lexar.com/digfilm/capacity_chart.html

Rating:
Summary: Quick writing card with good capacity!
Review: Excellent CF card!!! The 80x write speed is a major improvement over my old 256MB card with 4x write speed.

Rating:
Summary: First or Second Edition?
Review: Great card...if you are actually purchasing the "Second Edition". Recent research into the performance of these cf cards revealed some important information. The Lexar 80x Pro Second Edition cards have "...substantially better performance...due to firmware upgrade...". There is some confusion as to which card you may actually be purchasing. Go to: Rob Galbraith.com, and read the article regarding the same/similar packaging of the product; "Lexar on 80X second edition availability", posted 11/11/2004. Lexar is in the process of changing the logo on the packaging of the Second Edition cards, but this will not be apparent until 1st qtr 2005.

Owners of first edition cards can have them exchanged by Lexar for second edition cards of the same capacity by contacting Lexar Professional Tech Support at [phone] or [e-mail]. The exchange is free of charge.

The above is courtesy of Rob Galbraith's web site...Thanks Rob!



Rating:
Summary: Wow this baby is fast...
Review: I replaced a Viking 128Mb card with this one and it feels like I bought a brand new camera. It saves the photograph and returns me to photo-taking mode in about ½ a second. Plus it holds 4x as many pictures so I no longer need to lug a laptop computer along on vacation to store our pictures. The price of these high speed cards has really come down lately. No excuse not to have at least a 512Mb one.