Here at Digi-Quick.co.uk we often get asked about the different types of xD-picture cards that are on the market. Below is a definitive break down explaining the different types and their functions:
What is type M?
The Type M xD was released in late 2005 and uses Multi Level Cell (MLC) architecture to achieve higher storage capacities. The Type M xD card suffers some compatibility issues with older cameras (especially video recording). The Olympus card has marginally slower read/write speeds than the their standard card & writes at 2.5mb/s and reads at 4.0mb/s. Fuji Type M xD cards have identical operating specifications to the standard Fuji card.
What is type M+?
The xD Card M cards will eventually replace type M xD cards and will have some advantages over them. Their read/write speed is 1.5 X faster than the type M xD Picture Card. Type M xD cards also offer longer movie recording times on SHQ setting, althought these added features are only apply in Olympus cameras.
What is type H?
Olympus Type H xD picture card can attain write speeds of up to 2-3 times faster than the standard or Type M xD Picture Card. Speed is dependent on camera’s on board controller & shooting modes. Fuji Type H xD cards use different methods of digital encoding but have identical operating specifications to the standard Fuji xD card.
