Please help - How many memory cards should I get?

[Disneyonmymind]

I am buying a Panasonic DMC-TZ5 to take on a 1 week trip to WDW. I will not be taking my laptop to download pictures. The camera also takes video clips and I know that takes up more memory than still pics. I normally would use the best quality setting on the camera for stil pics (don't know why not).

Anyway, how many and what size memory cards would you take? I was thinking to get a SanDisk 4GB Extreme. Would that be enough? I realize that it depends on how many pics and how many videos I plan to take. I'm guessing around 100 shots per day. Does that sound reasonable? I have no idea on the video because my previous camera didn't take them. How do others decide this.

I would think that the battery life would also limit how many pics per day.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I am buying a Panasonic DMC-TZ5 to take on a 1 week trip to WDW. I will not be taking my laptop to download pictures. The camera also takes video clips and I know that takes up more memory than still pics. I normally would use the best quality setting on the camera for stil pics (don't know why not).

Anyway, how many and what size memory cards would you take? I was thinking to get a SanDisk 4GB Extreme. Would that be enough? I realize that it depends on how many pics and how many videos I plan to take. I'm guessing around 100 shots per day. Does that sound reasonable? I have no idea on the video because my previous camera didn't take them. How do others decide this.

I would think that the battery life would also limit how many pics per day.

I had 2 4GB for my tz3 which was 6 mp. I filled them both up w/ just photos in China, and imo, China isn't anywhere near as picturesque as WDW! I didn't even use the video feature. So, I say, better too much than not enough. I'd get a least 4 4gb cards, depending on yur length of stay and how camera crazy you are. Me-- I'm a freak!

 

[Frantasmic]

How much video do you intend to take? 4 GB translates to roughly 30 minutes of video at the best size (at least on my Canon S5). So, if you intend to take a GOOD video of a fireworks display, that's almost all your space.

4 GB should be okay for just pictures, but a combo of pictures and video would require more memory, IMO.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Start by telling us how many pictures you want room for and how many minutes of video. Then we can estimate how much that will take.

Some people take 20 pictures in a week. Some take 1,000 in a day. There's no generic answer.

 

[Disneyonmymind]

Sorry in advance for total "newbie" questions but I came home with the new Panasonic TZ-5 camera and have been reading in the manual.

For pictures, I can set the aspect ratio (4:3, 3:2, or 16:9); the picture size (varies from 2M to 9M, depending on the aspect ration selected) and also the quality (fine or standard). Depending on the above selections, there is a chart that shows how many pictures will fit on what size cards. Now my question is, what aspect ratio and picture size should I select? My initial thought is 3:2 (because same as normal film camera); size = 8.5M (3552*2368) (because this is the largest) and quality = "fine" (again because it would be the best quality. These selections give me 920 pictures on a 4GB card. I think that would be enough for me as I estimate that I will shoot approx 100 per day on a 7 day trip to WDW. Any feedback on my proposed settings is much appreciated.

For video, I am really confused by the settings. I must set aspect ratio (either 4:3 or 16:9); and then picture mode (In 4:3, choices are 30fps VGA; 10fps VGA; 30fps QVGA; or 10fps QVGA) (In 16:9, choices are 30fps H; 15fps H; 30fps L; and 10fps L) HELP! I'm clueless on this one. Any feedback is appreciated very much.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Now my question is, what aspect ratio and picture size should I select?

Whatever the native aspect ratio of the sensor is. Anything else is just cropping the picture in the camera. You can do that later on your computer if you really want to. Just don't frame to tight if you intend to make prints of a different aspect ratio.

You math looks good. My only concern is that you've given yourself about a 25% buffer. For someone without much experience, you could easily be off. I don't know what your personal economic situation is, but I'd lean towards buying 200% of my expected capacity.

The video stuff is different. The aspect ratio you pick is dependent on the device you intend to watch the movies on. In the old days, TV's were 4:3. Now, they are 16:9. You can watch old TV shows on new TVs by putting black bars on the side or by making people look fat. You can watch new TV shows on old TVs by chopping off the sides or putting black bars on the top and bottom.

Really old movies were 4:3. Back in the 40s or 50s, they started getting wider. Today, they are usually at least 16:9 and sometimes much, much wider. That's why, when you watch a movie on your TV, it often has black bars on the top and bottom (or they've cut the sides off, which they ironically call "full screen").

Most TV shows are 30 frames per second. OK, they're really 60fps but with each frame only showing every other line, so it is effectively 30fps. Most movies are 24fps. 10fps will look jerky and weird if there is much motion.

The QVGA vs VGA stuff probably has to do with the resolution. I'm guessing that VGA is 640x480 and QVGA isn't.

 

[fitzperry]

Whatever the native aspect ratio of the sensor is. Anything else is just cropping the picture in the camera. You can do that later on your computer if you really want to. Just don't frame to tight if you intend to make prints of a different aspect ratio.

I agree with this in principle, but if the OP is just going to make 4x6 prints to put in a scrapbook or something, then it might make more sense to go with 3:2. So many people don't want to hassle with cropping and are disappointed when they get their prints and see that they've been cropped. But then I'm assuming without really knowing that the lcd will show the "cropped" version so that what you see is what you'll get--is that correct?

The aspect ratio you pick is dependent on the device you intend to watch the movies on. In the old days, TV's were 4:3. Now, they are 16:9. You can watch old TV shows on new TVs by putting black bars on the side or by making people look fat.

That's the best thing about widescreen tv's--making all those emaciated actresses look like normal people.

 

[Disneyonmymind]

How do you tell what is the native aspect ratio of the sensor? I've looked in the manual and can find no mention of this?

 

[DizzyV6P]

If you want good pictures to blow up to 8x10's you set it at the highest resolution...9 megapixels in your case. If you only want 4x6's, anything lower is fine.

4 gb extreme would be a waste for you. P&S cameras don't recycle fast enough to warrant that kind of speed. Save your money and pick up two or three 4 gb Ultra II for close to the same price. Sandisk Ultra II's are always onsale at staples, best buy or circuit city. You can pick up a few 2 gb ones for about $35 each as well.

What kind of TV do you have at home? What kind of monitor? If you have a widescreen tv or widescreen monitor, use 16:9. if you have a regular SQUARE tv (4:3) then use 4:3 for your videos and set to 30 fps.