Is SD likely to be replaced by another camera memory card format soon?
Asked 6/20/2011
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SD cards are now the dominant removable storage format in many cameras, while older high-end models often used CompactFlash and Sony pushed Memory Stick in some devices. Given SD’s wide adoption, multiple sizes, and ongoing capacity increases (such as SDHC/SDXC), is there any clear successor or serious challenger on the horizon for camera storage, or is SD likely to remain the standard for the near future?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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Nothing Lasts Forever, but Some Things Last a Long Time
There are improved versions of SD (SDHC, SDXC).
These are able to store more data than normal SD.
They look the same as SD and can be used in most of the same devices.
Apart from these, there is no obvious successor technology to SD at the moment.
So for now we have to get along with SD and invest in it where appropriate. There will be a replacement technology sooner or later, but it sure doesn't look like anything else will be taking over for a year or two.
Personally, I can't stand SD cards: they're just too small and fiddly.
On the other hand, CF can be up to 2x the price, so I'm not so keen on that either!
NB: This is technology, so this answer will probably be wrong 5 minutes after I post it! (Posted June 2011)
Originally by user191. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user191
15y ago
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Based on the answers, there was no clear successor to SD on the immediate horizon. SD was already well established, and newer versions like SDHC and SDXC extended capacity while keeping the same general format, which helped preserve compatibility and adoption.
CompactFlash remained relevant in some higher-end gear, but it was not presented as an emerging replacement for SD. Memory Stick was viewed as mostly a Sony-specific format rather than an industry-wide challenger.
One answer speculated that the longer-term shift might not be another removable card at all, but more network/cloud-based storage, with cameras relying on internal memory plus wireless transfer. That’s a plausible long-term direction, but it was speculation rather than an active market replacement at the time.
So the practical takeaway is: for the near term, SD looked safe to invest in, with format evolution happening mostly within the SD family rather than through a new competing card standard.
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