Compact Flash and Smart Media Cards?

[Wa11y]

Are compact flash cards and smart media cards the same thing, or compatible? Can I use a smart media card reader to read my compact flash cards, and can I use a compact flash card reader to read smart media cards? Or are the two exclusive to eachother?

[Spode]

no.

they both store stuff. minbaly used in cameras but in a different package.

the compact flash ones are a bit like memory cards in playsations. kinda hardwaring.

the smart media cards and bit like those 5 1/4 " floppy discs but really small. Quite floppy.

And they are not interchangable.

[Wa11y]

Originally posted by Spode
no.

they both store stuff. minbaly used in cameras but in a different package.

the compact flash ones are a bit like memory cards in playsations. kinda hardwaring.

the smart media cards and bit like those 5 1/4 " floppy discs but really small. Quite floppy.

And they are not interchangable.

Blah. What I figured. Just didn't wanna go buy a really neat smart media reader to find it didn't work with my compact flash cards. Thanks, Spode.

[Spode]

I use a compact flash reader. But then I have an 128mb card so I need it!!

My boss uses a reader which has slots for BOTH. Perhaps look around for one of those?

[Wa11y]

Originally posted by Spode
I use a compact flash reader. But then I have an 128mb card so I need it!!

My boss uses a reader which has slots for BOTH. Perhaps look around for one of those?

I really don't have a need for a smart media reader. But since my camera (HP 215) is a battery hog, I want to get a flash card reader, so I don't have to keep the camera on to download photos, and forget to turn it back off when I'm done.

[Aedan]

SmartMedia (SM) and Compact Flash (CF) are definately not the same thing. I've got devices that use both (*sigh*), and picked up a reader that'll read both. It cost me about £30, so I guess that'd probably be around $30.

CompactFlash memory cards use a 50pin interface, which uses a standard IDE command set.

SmartMedia memory cards use a 22pin interface, which uses it's own memory bus.

Oh, they also look completely different. (:

I personally prefer CF, as there's no way you can come in contact with the physical contacts on the card. Less chance of killing them with static, and less chance of a poor contact due to dust/grease etc.

AidanII

[Lionfish]

Originally posted by Wa11y


I really don't have a need for a smart media reader. But since my camera (HP 215) is a battery hog, I want to get a flash card reader, so I don't have to keep the camera on to download photos, and forget to turn it back off when I'm done.

My Cannon Power Shot A20 is also a battery hog, with a Zoom lense also, I use a a/c adapter when D/ling pics.

I to forget to turn it off

G/L

[Wa11y]

Originally posted by Lionfish
My Cannon Power Shot A20 is also a battery hog, with a Zoom lense also, I use a a/c adapter when D/ling pics.

I to forget to turn it off

G/L

Digicams are high-drain devices. It's no surprise that they rip through batteries. Reading some reviews, that was the only thing people complained about. <sigh> People can be so clueless sometimes.

I picked up a 64MB compact flash and reader for $60 at Best Buy. The 4MB CF that came with my camera won't work with the reader, because it's only for USB Enabled CF cards. But wah. I have a 64MB flash card now. What do I need a 4MB card for? I need to get some good lithium rechargable batteries now. Probably two sets, just so I can have a back up.

One thing that impressed me: the 215 came with a set of Energizer E^2 batteries. I was expecting bargain basement crap batteries like just about every consumer device comes with.

[Aedan]

I've never found 'AA' sized Li-Ion batteries that I considered to be reasonable value, never mind a battery pack that I'd put in my C3030Z. For those who don't know, Li-Ion batteries produce 3.6v rather than the 1.2v of Ni-MH or Ni-Cd.

So, I'm running 1.5Ah NiMH batteries in my C3030Z, which gets me easily over 80 shots in continuos use even with the LCD active. I've found that a decent delta slope charger is a must for good battery performance.

Li-Ion is nice, but requires much more careful control over how they're used!

AidanII

[Wa11y]

I found a four-pack of Ni-MH AAs with a charger for $25. I figure the Ni-MHs should be cheaper, and I've not been able to find Li-ION AAs, so I'll just stick with the Ni-HMs.

[Temfate]

You know you could always go buy a HP Photosmart printer that takes both; that is if you need a new printer .....