SDHC Cards
What is SDHC?
Secure Digital High-Capacity (SDHC) is the new generation of SD cards. Enhance capabilities allow SDHC cards to achieve capacities of 4GB – 32GB compared with the current SD card capacity of up to 2GB maximum. As well, SDHC cards also offer a substantial performance advantage over SD cards which is defined by a new speed class ratings system.
What is the SDHC class speed rating?
SDHC cards are defined by one of three “classes” that allow the user to categorize performance capabilities. The class rating of SDHC cards specifies a minimum sustained write speed, as follows:
- SDHC Class 2: 2MB/sec
- SDHC Class 4: 4MB/sec
- SDHC Class 6: 6MB/sec
How can I identify the speed class of an SDHC card?
The speed class can be identified by an icon appearing on the card and the card packaging.
How is an SDHC card identified
While the physical form of an SDHC card is identical to that of a standard SD card, the SDHC cards can be identified by the SDHC logo appearing on both the card packaging and the label. Unless you see the SDHC logo, assume that the card is in the standard SD format.
Why are SDHC cards necessary?
SDHC cards meet the requirements of a growing number of users who are capturing, storing and sharing high volumes of images, music, and digital video, as the files related to this content are growing larger and larger.
As well, photographers increasingly prefer to have larger-capacity memory cards in their cameras so that they do not have to switch their cards as often as when using older “SD”cards. SDHC cards provide the higher capacity that many photographers demand. They also give photographers the ability to capture many more images (whether still or video), at higher resolutions.
What does the new format mean for photographers who have a collection of standard SD cards?
Photographers can continue to use their standard SD cards and can also use them in SDHC host devices. However, if photographers using standard SD cards want to achieve high-capacity removable storage, they will need to start using SDHC cards in SDHC-enabled devices. Using an SDHC card in a standard SD host device or camera may cause the card to work improperly or not be recognized.
What is the difference between SD and SDHC?
Both SD and SDHC cards share the same physical attributes. SD cards are compatible with both SD and SDHC enhanced devices, while SDHC cards are only compatible with SDHC enhanced devices.
SDHC cards have the FAT32 file system integrated into their technology, which allows the SDHC cards to reach capacities up to 32GB.
How do I know if an SDHC card will work in my device?
Your SDHC card will only function in a SDHC compatible device. Check to ensure that your device has the following SDHC logo on the packaging.
