Amateur Camcorder/Memory Card Question

[Matt Hunt]

This may seem elementary, but I'm new to camcorders, and don't really have much experience with cameras either. In the specs for my camcorder, it says it takes a Class 4 memory card. I was wondering if it would work even better with a higher class, or does that mean I HAVE to get a Class 4 card?

 

[Mark Blue]

I'd check the manufacturer website for your model as they normally have information there about the cards it will take in the support section. A class 10 card would be the way to go as data can be written much faster to the card and should vastly improve performance. If you post the model you have I can help you find it later this afternoon.

 

[Skip Talbot]

You can use a faster class no problem, but you probably won't notice the difference except maybe slightly faster image write times. The good news is, depending on brand, there really isn't much difference in price between the different classes of similarly sized sd cards. 32 GB cards will run you 30 something dollars on Newegg whether they are class 4 or class 10. If you're recording HD video to your memory card, you'll want a class 10. Since the camera only requires a 4 though, I'm assuming its SD or only records stills to the card. As long as the card can keep up with the camera's write speed, it will work fine.

 

[Matt Hunt]

Thanks guys! It is an SD card, or pro duo. It's a Sony HDR-CX150.

 

[Mark Blue]

Here's the proof in the pudding if you need it Matt. Sounds like you should be in good shape with a Class 10, although I find in conspicuous that they only picture Sony branded SD and Micro SD cards in the pictures. This main page also has quite a few links you can peruse to learn other specific details about your camcorder, specifically the Memory Stick compatibility information on the "How To and Troubleshooting" tab.

 

[Matt Tottle]

If you're recording HD video to your memory card, you'll want a class 10. Since the camera only requires a 4 though, I'm assuming its SD or only records stills to the card. As long as the card can keep up with the camera's write speed, it will work fine.

Thanks guys! It is an SD card, or pro duo. It's a Sony HDR-CX150.

Skip was referring to it possibly being a Standard Definition camera. Generally, Class 4 is too slow to keep up with HiDef recording. You need minimum Class 6, preferably Class 10 to avoid errors with HD bitrates. I would assume that if you use a Class 4 card in that camcorder, it uses a very high compression scheme (most likely AVC "Fake HD"), which gets the bitrate down to where the card can digest it smoothly. That will affect your video quality drastically. As Skip said, the price of good Class 10 SD cards is not much more than Class 4. I picked up a 32GB PNY Class 10 for my Kx for about $30 on Amazon.

 

[Robert Edmonds]

Not sure about camcorders, but there is a significant difference in shutter speed when using different class memory cards with my DSLR (after a few shots once the camera's internal buffer is full). I would assume different class cards would allow you to shoot higher definition video, as others mentioned above.

 

[David Drummond]

Go with the higher class if you can. Even if your current camera can't fully utilize the additional speed, who is to say your next camera won't? I'm using a class 10 on a new model camera, running at full 1080p 60fps and the card doesn't even break a sweat.

 

[Daniel Barker]

get that class 10 if you have a microcenter nearby, get 32 gb like 35$ get 4 hours i beleive