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32GB vs 16GB Cards...

post #1 of 19
11/19/11 at 4:59pm
Thread Starter 
So, I'm 95% certain at this point that I'll be buying a Panasonic TM90. Was between that and the Canon M4X series, but after showing it to my wife she loved the form factor of the TM90 and the wider angle and significantly longer zoom.

Was looking at cards on Amazon, and was curious about people's opinions on 16gb vs 32 gb. Can actually get some 16gb cards at less than half the price of 32gb cards.

Outside of the obvious doubling of recording time differences between 16gb and 32 (think 1 hour 20 minutes at 1080/60p per 16gb), and cost, are there any other considerations?

I'd imagine it protects you a tad more as should the card fail you've got a spare 16gb.

Probably a dumb question, but I'm so used to using HDV tapes I've never considered why one would get say 2 16gb cards vs 1 32 gb card.
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post #2 of 19
11/19/11 at 5:43pm
If your goal is to record a high school football game, full length without pause, in 1080p you will need at least a 32. Maybe more, depending on time outs and overtime. If you intend to make a bunch of 10, 15 or 20 second clips to be edited and joined to make a 5 minute video in your computer, it won't matter. A single 16 will work very well. If your routine is to transfer video to your computer on a regular basis, an 8 will may very well be enough.
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post #3 of 19
11/19/11 at 5:56pm
I have 32GB cards in my camcorder and 16GB cards in my still camera. I regularly transfer the files to my PC where I view and then delete bad ones (shots of the inside of the camera bag, the back of someones head etc...) and save the good ones.

I use only Lexar Pro cards they have amazing prices when there is a sale and they are resonable to buy in whether 32GB or 16GB. For 1080p60p do you really want to miss a shot because your 16GB card got filled up?
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post #4 of 19
11/19/11 at 6:53pm
Thread Starter 
Picked up a couple "Class 10" Transcend 16gb cards which were 60% off right now on Amazon at $15.99. Will probably pick up a 32gb for main recording (maybe a Lexar Pro if I see a great sale in the next few days), keep a 16gb as a backup and use the other in my car for music (or as a second backup).

Thanks guys.
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post #5 of 19
11/19/11 at 10:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pbc View Post

Picked up a couple "Class 10" Transcend 16gb cards which were 60% off right now on Amazon at $15.99. Will probably pick up a 32gb for main recording (maybe a Lexar Pro if I see a great sale in the next few days), keep a 16gb as a backup and use the other in my car for music (or as a second backup).

Thanks guys.

I'm eyeing a larger card as well and it seems these are rated well: Sandisk 32GB Class 10 and at about $50 looks like a pretty good deal.
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post #6 of 19
11/19/11 at 11:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pbc View Post

Picked up a couple "Class 10" Transcend 16gb cards which were 60% off right now on Amazon at $15.99. Will probably pick up a 32gb for main recording (maybe a Lexar Pro if I see a great sale in the next few days), keep a 16gb as a backup and use the other in my car for music (or as a second backup).

Thanks guys.


Just don't rely too much on that transcend card, they are cheap but have a poor reliability rating. Also even tho they say they are Class 10 they tend to drop down into Class 4 if you push them. I know, I have one and I do not rely on it. It's in our backup P&S camera.
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post #7 of 19
11/20/11 at 6:31am
Thread Starter 
I haven't read too much in the way of reliability issues with the Transcend, but yes, if I see an outstanding sale on those Lexar Pro's or even the Platinum's (or SanDisk) I'll probably pick one up as my main card. Was hard to pass on the $15.99 price ("60% off") for a 16gb Transcend Class 10 card.
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post #8 of 19
11/20/11 at 6:34am
Thread Starter 
While I'm asking dumb questions, I've seen a few people recco'ing an external card reader. Is there a point to this if my Acer 3820T laptop (about a year old) already has a card reader built in?
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post #9 of 19
11/20/11 at 7:58am
Form factor is what sold me too next to the m40.

I ended up with two Sandisk 32G cards. On my California coastline trip I completely filled one card. It was full when I hit 29G. Lots of small clips. My second card had 25.5G recorded on it at the end of the trip. I still had the TM90 internal 16G as back up. I probably would have been happy with four 16G cards. Still fits more than a DV tape.
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post #10 of 19
11/20/11 at 9:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by pbc View Post

While I'm asking dumb questions, I've seen a few people recco'ing an external card reader. Is there a point to this if my Acer 3820T laptop (about a year old) already has a card reader built in?

I'd just use the built in card reader unless it's hard to access.
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post #11 of 19
11/20/11 at 9:19am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ronomy View Post

Form factor is what sold me too next to the m40.

I ended up with two Sandisk 32G cards. On my California coastline trip I completely filled one card. It was full when I hit 29G. Lots of small clips. My second card had 25.5G recorded on it at the end of the trip. I still had the TM90 internal 16G as back up. I probably would have been happy with four 16G cards. Still fits more than a DV tape.

You mean "sold you on the TM90" right?

Suddenly that M40 is now priced at $349.99, making it more compelling damn it (given you can actually use non-OEM batteries which are around $20 for the extended ones vs $40+ for the same small Panny one).

Still think I'd need a WA lens though.

Yeah, I'm not going to miss the DV tapes, that's for sure.
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post #12 of 19
11/20/11 at 9:58am
That $350 deal reminds me when Amazon did something similar to the SD600 for $300. Their are trade-offs choosing between M40 and the TM90 since on one hand you have a wider lens, more manual controls and the ability to shoot in 1080 60p choosing the SD90/TM90 but on the other hand, the M40 will offer much better low light capabilities. I'm not so sure if the M40 deal will last long since for that price it'll sell out very quickly. At the same time, it would not surprise me of the SD90/T90 have their own special deals. Heck, even the SD800 may get a special deal. The holidays is definitely approaching.
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post #13 of 19
11/20/11 at 10:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by pbc View Post

You mean "sold you on the TM90" right?

Suddenly that M40 is now priced at $349.99, making it more compelling damn it (given you can actually use non-OEM batteries which are around $20 for the extended ones vs $40+ for the same small Panny one).

Still think I'd need a WA lens though.

Yeah, I'm not going to miss the DV tapes, that's for sure.

Yes! TM90 form factor sold me plus wide/long zoom. Fabulous OIS too!
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post #14 of 19
11/20/11 at 12:58pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paulo Teixeira View Post

That $350 deal reminds me when Amazon did something similar to the SD600 for $300. Their are trade-offs choosing between M40 and the TM90 since on one hand you have a wider lens, more manual controls and the ability to shoot in 1080 60p choosing the SD90/TM90 but on the other hand, the M40 will offer much better low light capabilities. I'm not so sure if the M40 deal will last long since for that price it'll sell out very quickly. At the same time, it would not surprise me of the SD90/T90 have their own special deals. Heck, even the SD800 may get a special deal. The holidays is definitely approaching.

Actually, it's at $349 until Nov 26th as well on another popular online store for digital cameras. It's also the 3rd time this week they've had it on Amazon at that price.

It certainly makes the decision that much harder, though I've pretty sure I want the TM90 for it's wide angle and zoom.
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post #15 of 19
11/20/11 at 4:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pbc View Post

I haven't read too much in the way of reliability issues with the Transcend, but yes, if I see an outstanding sale on those Lexar Pro's or even the Platinum's (or SanDisk) I'll probably pick one up as my main card. Was hard to pass on the $15.99 price ("60% off") for a 16gb Transcend Class 10 card.


Well Transcend isn't the brand the pro's turn to for reliability. They are ok but when you research the company and how well they back their cards just try ad contact Transcend. I actually called up Lexar and spoke to a tech and their Pro series is very popular with people in the industry. The limited lifetime warranty is also genuine although I haven't had to use it yet and having the option of recovery software for free is a real asset as well.
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post #16 of 19
11/25/11 at 1:52pm
Thread Starter 
The 32gb Lexar Pro is on sale for $39.99 at Amazon for anyone interested. Picked it up for my main card.
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post #17 of 19
12/14/11 at 7:39pm
Just snagged a TM90 at Best Buy for $329 (B&H said the price was so low, they couldn't match it). Deal's good for in-store pickup only.

Anyhoo, this may be a stupid question, but I can't find the answer anywhere, including on Panasonic's website (even on the page advertising Panasonic's own SD cards -- I'd post the link but I need more posts first, sorry!):

Can the TM90 utilize the UHS-I bus? If so, is it worth it to splurge for a UHS-I card as a "main" card? Thanks!
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post #18 of 19
12/14/11 at 9:10pm
i actually picked up a class10(un-needed but reviews were great) 64gb card. i wanted as much space i can possible have. dont want to keep switching cards
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post #19 of 19
12/15/11 at 5:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cytoSiN View Post

Just snagged a TM90 at Best Buy for $329 (B&H said the price was so low, they couldn't match it). Deal's good for in-store pickup only.

Anyhoo, this may be a stupid question, but I can't find the answer anywhere, including on Panasonic's website (even on the page advertising Panasonic's own SD cards -- I'd post the link but I need more posts first, sorry!):

Can the TM90 utilize the UHS-I bus? If so, is it worth it to splurge for a UHS-I card as a "main" card? Thanks!


I've already called them before and asked that question. Basically the camera itself cannot but your PC should be able to transfer the files faster. For a camcorder you will not get any benefit from a UHS-1 card.

I use the Lexar Pro cards and they have no problem with the speed and I had that sae card for my TM900. The real issue was my PS3 was a horrible playback device.
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