The new XQD memory card format will replace CompactFlash in pro SLR and video cameras

The CompactFlash Association announced a new media card format last month, and now Sony and Nikon have introduced the first media and digital cameras, respectively. But what exactly is an XQD memory card? Read on for the details.

A Different Type of Media for Different Type of Camera

XQD falls between SD and CompactFlash in physical size

Most consumers have grown used to the standard SD card for digital media. It is become ubiquitous in consumer and even semi-pro digital cameras, computers, and other devices from phones to game machines. SD (short for Secure Digital) is the descendent of the basic MultiMediaCard (MMC) format introduced in the mid-90′s. Like MMC, SD uses a simple and basic transfer mechanism rooted in the interface of flash memory chips themselves.

The SD card format has been continually updated and refined, culminating in the current SDHC and future SDXC formats used by the most advanced consumer cameras today. But SD has many limitations, and even the highest speed SD cards cannot meet the demands of fast shooting many-megapixel and pro video cameras.

Professional cameras, including full-frame digital SLR and high definition video cameras, typically use higher bandwidth formats like CompactFlash or P2. These cards may not seem all that impressive on paper, but their real-world performance justifies their extreme pricing. CompactFlash is based on now-outdated computer standards, including PCMCIA (16-bit ISA bus) and ATA, though in a smaller form factor. P2, the Panasonic format, also uses the 16-bit PCMCIA interface as well as its form factor.

XQD: A Next-Generation Memory Card Format

The new XQD card format is philosophically similar to CompactFlash in that it uses a high-speed computer bus rather than a flash interface. XQD adopts PCI Express version 2 for 2.5 Gbps throughput, with 5 Gbps promised in the future. The physical form factor falls in between CompactFlash and SD, and the CompactFlash Association suggests we will see terabyte-sized cards in the not so distant future.

Sony is first up with XQD card media, though Nikon has the first camera

XQD will likely see rapid adoption from CompactFlash adherents like Nikon and Canon. Sony appears to be getting on the XQD bandwagon as well, at least on the media side, and I expect that their future full frame cameras and pro video equipment we use the format. One expects Olympus, Fujifilm, and niche players like Sigma, Leica, and Hasselblad to join the XQD team as well. The big question is Panasonic, which seems satisfied with P2.

Although SDXC appears promising, implementation details have caused it to stumble out of the gate. The use of MBR partitioning limits capacity to “just” 2 TB, and not everyone loves the appointed exFAT filesystem. Plus, initial SDXC cards poke along even slower than conventional (and far cheaper) SDHC alternatives.

In contrast, Sony’s first batch of XQD cards are 4 times faster, allowing them to keep up with the punishing data rates generated by the new 16 megapixel Nikon D4 DSLR. With Sony set to introduce a 24 megapixel A99 and 36 megapixel hybrid mount full frame camera, it is very likely that this performance will come in handy!

Stephen’s Stance

XQD is complementary to SDXC, a high-bandwidth, high-capacity alternative for professional cameras. It is likely to be adopted by makers of professional or full frame digital SLR cameras, and one expects it to make a big splash in the digital video market as well. Future high megapixel prosumer cameras may feature both XQD and SDXC slots, giving consumers an alternative for maximum performance.

© sfoskett for Stephen Foskett, Pack Rat, 2012. | What Is an XQD Card? The New Media for Pro Cameras!
This post was categorized as Computer History, Personal, Terabyte home. Each of my categories has its own feed if you'd like to filter out or focus on posts like this.

Your tweets about your NEX have intrigued me a bit…I get tired of lugging my Nikon D90 around with my kids, yet I find the quality of most point-and-shoot cameras terrible…so the NEX seems like an interesting compromise.

I’m trying to decide between the NEX-5N, Nikon 1 v1, and the NEX-7.  I’ve read all the reviews, and for the price, the NEX-5N seems like the obvious choice…with one potential fatal flaw: no viewfinder.  I’m often trying to get three kids to look at the camera, and waiting for that one nano-second where they are all looking and maybe smiling, or at least not making ugly faces….just can’t see doing that on the screen on the back.

What has been your experience?  Are you happy with composition on the LCD panel?  Any other thoughts on whether the NEX-7 is worth the significantly higher cost? Much obliged…

Great question!

The first part is simple: Compact System Cameras like the NEX and Nikon 1 are an amazing combination of image quality, flexibility, and portability. They’re nearly (but definitely not quite) as good as DSLR cameras. Why not as good? Well, there’s the lack of a viewfinder, the slow and imprecise contrast-based focusing, and the dearth of lenses. But they’re so much more portable (not to mention generally less expensive) it’s a compromise lots of folks are willing to make. And there’s just no comparison to a compact digital camera – it’s night and day with the big sensor and interchangeable lenses.

You should also read my Sony NEX-5 Camera Review and Hands-On Review: SLR Magic 35mm Sony NEX Lens

Owners of compact system cameras like the NEX, Nikon 1, and Micro Four-Thirds handle the lens issue with adapters. I’ve got a Minolta adapter for my old SR-mount lenses, and lots of folks use Nikon, Canon, and even exotics like Contax and Leica screw-mount. The main issue with these is that they’re not generally auto-focus capable (with some exceptions like the amazing Sony NEX LAEA1 and LAEA2 Alpha-mount adapter), they don’t have image stabilization (so you must use a tripod with your telephotos) and they add significant bulk to the camera. But real system lenses are coming along, and some are really quite good (the Panasonic pancake, Sony Zeiss 24, etc). And there are some awesome third-party lenses like my SLR Magic 35/1.7!

The Nikon 1 V1 is awfully expensive for such a small sensor and unproven lens system

These cameras are really awesome, but the next decision is why to go NEX rather than Micro Four Thirds or Nikon 1. I picked the NEX due to its larger APS-C sensor (twice the size of the MFT and three times larger than Nikon’s) and the promise of better optics that brings. In reality, it’s not much of an advantage. But Sony’s sensor development is setting the industry on fire (everyone is switching to them) and the 14 megapixel sensor in the NEX-C3 and NEX-5N is amazing! Then there’s the 24 megapixel sensor in the NEX-7 and initial reports are very enthusiastic! So the Sony is a great choice, even though the Panasonic, Olympus, and Nikon cameras are nice too.

The NEX-C3 is a good camera, and fairly inexpensive too. But the lenses cost the same (since they are the same) as on the NEX-5N and NEX-7, so the savings is quickly wiped away. The NEX-5N is really a better choice, thanks to a solid metal body and the possibility of a viewfinder (at $350 extra). The touchscreen control is kind of cool too, but it can’t mask that the NEX operating system is difficult to use quickly in the field.

I’ve become pretty good with the screen, really. I can focus quickly (now that I’ve gotten used to the “peaking” setting for my manual lenses) and have adjusted to shooting “from the chest”. The flip-up/down screen is actually pretty nifty in some situations. Sure it’s not a viewfinder, but it’s acceptable if not awesome. Although you can buy an accessory viewfinder for the NEX-5N, it’s kind of weird and definitely expensive.

The Sony NEX-7 adds just about everything I could want to the NEX system, including a viewfinder and better controls

So why spend twice as much on a NEX-7? It addresses every shortcoming and complaint I have about my NEX-5 as well as the current cameras. It has a well-received OLED viewfinder. It has a microphone input for movies and a Sony Alpha-standard flash shoe rather than the weird NEX flash mount. But most importantly it has the “Tri-Navi” control system that makes if super simple to adjust aperture, white balance, ISO, shutter speed, etc on the fly. Seriously, the NEX-7 controls look even better than those on real DSLRs, and that’s saying a LOT. It’s also got the 24 megapixel sensor, but I’m not all that excited about it really. I don’t need more pixels, I need a functional camera!

My suggestion is first to look at the NEX system as a whole. Do you want to buy into Sony’s compact system? Are you going to be happy with just half a dozen purpose-built lenses and a universe of non-AF/non-IS adapted lenses? The lens situation is the major drawback of this system, really. But the walk-around-ness is the saving grace. It’s astonishing to slip a NEX-5 into a jacket pocket for a family trip.

The Sony NEX-5N is a great all-around camera

Maybe consider buying a NEX-5N first to give the system a test drive. Get the 18-55 kit zoom and an SLR Magic 28 or 35 mm “fun lens”, as well as an adapter for your existing SLR lenses. See what you think. You can always sell it later and apply the resulting $400-$500 to an NEX-7 if you decide you like the system. That’s what I did!

© sfoskett for Stephen Foskett, Pack Rat, 2011. | Why Buy a NEX-7? Why Sony NEX At All?
This post was categorized as Ask a Pack Rat, Features, Personal, Terabyte home. Each of my categories has its own feed if you'd like to filter out or focus on posts like this.

Why can't digital cameras come with a useful memory card?

Over the last year, I have purchased two Canon digital cameras. Both are excellent, and I would recommend them to anyone. But each came with a worthless 32 MB SD flash card. So did the (now broken) HP point-and-shoot I picked up last year. And the Nikon that preceded the Canon. In fact, it appears that just about every digital camera comes with a tiny, mostly-useless “starter” memory card.

I understand the reasoning of including a memory card – the camera won’t function without one, and people like to be able to play with their new electronics right out of the box.

But who thought it was a good idea to include such a tiny card? We’ve been stick at 32 MB for at least five years! Because of the megapixel wars, what was once a small-but-usable card is now little more than e-waste. Out of the box, my 8 megapixel Canons would fill up the included card with just 14 shots. And who makes these things? Are the 256 Mbit flash chips they use even still in production?

I’m sure the rationalization is that adding a reasonably-sized card would ratchet up the price of the camera. But big cards are cheap! They’re down to $10 or less per GB, and that’s retail pricing. I’m sure Canon could include a 2 GB card instead of the four printed manuals they put in the box and come out ahead.

But the camera makers don’t deserve all the blame. While picking up my new SD1100 IS at J&R in New York, every customer bought a 2 or 4 GB memory card to go with their new camera. It’s an easy upsell for the store, along with their ill-fitting and laughably expensive cases and unnecessary extra batteries. I doubt accessory-happy camera stores would be too happy to have a reasonably-sized card included with every camera!

So I guess we’re stuck with piles of worthless memory cards.

© sfoskett for Stephen Foskett, Pack Rat, 2008. | E-Waste: 32 MB Flash Cards
This post was categorized as Personal. Each of my categories has its own feed if you'd like to filter out or focus on posts like this.