IBM microdrive and compact flash difference

hlbm · 18th November 2003

what is the difference between the above, why microdrive is so cheap, if my camera is using compact flash type 1, can i use microdrive also ??
heard they are same size.

Royce · 18th November 2003

Microdrive is a miniature hard-disk. CF is solid state memory. CF is more durable than Microdrive.
CF is more costly to manufacture, therefore costs more to buy.
Microdrive will not work on Type I camera. Needs to be Type II.

neves_atk · 18th November 2003

what about the writing speed??
seen a comparision chart at http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/mul...?cid=6007-6425
not realli much diff microdr is abt 1mb/s while CF (45x) is at abt 1.3mb/s
maybe i am not affect by the write spd coz i mainly into buildings and landscape

theITguy · 18th November 2003

I advice you to buy compact flash at any time. Where durability is concerned, Microdrive have no chance..... Moreover, CF cards nowadays have better warranty (2 - 5 years etc) than Microdrive (1 year).

Noir · 18th November 2003

They were never dropped or knocked and 2 microdrives have failed me by far, in over a year. And I do not engage professionally in photography and thus did not even use them frequently.

Royce · 19th November 2003

Never had any problem with either of my microdrives.

megaweb · 19th November 2003

Nowsday CF card QA is not really good.... can hear people complaining his/her new CF card got problem ...

limhousen · 19th November 2003

If I'm not wrong, the guy at http://www.luminous-landscape.com/ uses IBM 1GB microdrives exclusively. He uses it at extreme conditions with no failures.

Read his review on the new Hitachi(IBM) 4GB Microdrive.

BTW, how many years warranty does a microdrive come with?

Royce · 19th November 2003

According to him the new 4gb hitachi drive selling for only $US 500. Much much cheaper than 4gb CF. Anyone seen these in SG yet?

hlbm · 19th November 2003

hi, thanks to those who reply, now i got it, luckily didnt but.

18th November 2003	#1
hlbm Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 102	IBM microdrive and compact flash difference what is the difference between the above, why microdrive is so cheap, if my camera is using compact flash type 1, can i use microdrive also ?? heard they are same size.

19th November 2003	#7
megaweb Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: East Posts: 8,106	Nowsday CF card QA is not really good.... can hear people complaining his/her new CF card got problem ... __________________ See my Photo Gallery at the Clubsnap \| Pbase

18th November 2003	#2
Royce Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 537	Microdrive is a miniature hard-disk. CF is solid state memory. CF is more durable than Microdrive. CF is more costly to manufacture, therefore costs more to buy. Microdrive will not work on Type I camera. Needs to be Type II.

18th November 2003	#3
neves_atk Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 298	what about the writing speed?? seen a comparision chart at http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/mul...?cid=6007-6425 not realli much diff microdr is abt 1mb/s while CF (45x) is at abt 1.3mb/s maybe i am not affect by the write spd coz i mainly into buildings and landscape

18th November 2003	#4
theITguy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: In this small world Posts: 2,042	I advice you to buy compact flash at any time. Where durability is concerned, Microdrive have no chance..... Moreover, CF cards nowadays have better warranty (2 - 5 years etc) than Microdrive (1 year).

18th November 2003	#5
Noir Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 321	They were never dropped or knocked and 2 microdrives have failed me by far, in over a year. And I do not engage professionally in photography and thus did not even use them frequently.

19th November 2003	#8
limhousen Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 281	If I'm not wrong, the guy at http://www.luminous-landscape.com/ uses IBM 1GB microdrives exclusively. He uses it at extreme conditions with no failures. Read his review on the new Hitachi(IBM) 4GB Microdrive. BTW, how many years warranty does a microdrive come with?