What class SDHC for HD video?

[WDWFWfan]

I just ordered a Canon HF100 from an online retailer and I need to purchase a few memory cards for it. The manual calls for class 4 or higher SDHC. However most class 4 cards are only rated at 20 mb/s (if they'll reach that) and the camera records at 17 mb/s. That leaves me wondering if the class 4 cards will always be enough or if I just need to spend the extra money and get class 6 cards for the extra speed. Any thoughts?

 

[WDWFWfan]

Anybody?

 

[Groucho]

Actually, Class 4 cards are rated for writing at 4mb/s. Class 6 are 6mb/s. Unfortunately there's nothing higher than Class 6, so a card that can save at 20mb/s is a class 6 just like one that saves at 6mb/s.

I can only assume that you say mention somewhere of Class 4 cards reading at 20m/s, not writing. Most cards read much faster than they write. However, your camera may or may not be capable of writing at 17mb/s, but I doubt that it needs to write that fast for HD video recording. If the manual says that Class 4 cards are acceptable, that would mean that that should be fast enough to record video at an acceptable speed.

If you do want max write speeds for your camera, keep an eye out for a sale on the Sandisk Extreme 3s which are rated for 20mb/s write speeds, they have a mail-in rebate offer until 6/27 - and you get more back if you buy 2 or 3. Buying 3 8gb SD ones from Beach Camera right now would cost a total of $75 after rebate - but they put them on sale for much cheaper. A couple weeks ago, I think they were on sale so the total cost was more like $15 or $30. I didn't bother buying more as I got 3 from them back on Black Friday last year - total cost, $5 - for all three!

 

[MM_Bound]

I have the HF100, and use class 6 cards. I use generic ones that I buy online. Just check the reviews first I find people will say if they use them in HD camers or not.

 

[WDWFWfan]

Actually, Class 4 cards are rated for writing at 4mb/s. Class 6 are 6mb/s. Unfortunately there's nothing higher than Class 6, so a card that can save at 20mb/s is a class 6 just like one that saves at 6mb/s.

I can only assume that you say mention somewhere of Class 4 cards reading at 20m/s, not writing. Most cards read much faster than they write. However, your camera may or may not be capable of writing at 17mb/s, but I doubt that it needs to write that fast for HD video recording. If the manual says that Class 4 cards are acceptable, that would mean that that should be fast enough to record video at an acceptable speed.

If you do want max write speeds for your camera, keep an eye out for a sale on the Sandisk Extreme 3s which are rated for 20mb/s write speeds, they have a mail-in rebate offer until 6/27 - and you get more back if you buy 2 or 3. Buying 3 8gb SD ones from Beach Camera right now would cost a total of $75 after rebate - but they put them on sale for much cheaper. A couple weeks ago, I think they were on sale so the total cost was more like $15 or $30. I didn't bother buying more as I got 3 from them back on Black Friday last year - total cost, $5 - for all three!

Hi Groucho, thanks for the detailed information! After further examination it appears that the HF100 writes (FXP mode) at 17 mbits/s not MB/S. So that makes a huge difference! Also, I didn't realize that class 4 meant that the card had to read/write at a minimum of 4 mb/s. Some I realize perform much better than this. I did find a review that helped my understanding.

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/941/2/

I also found something specific to the camera at, even though mines not PAL, http://canon-hf100.blogspot.com/2008/05/storage-media.html.

Thanks again for the post!