4 GB Kingston SDHC- E-PL1 issue?

[havana_joe]

So, this is a bit odd, anyone have any thoughts?

I just bought an Olympus E-PL1, and it works great, but it seems to be incompatible with my 4 GB Kingston SDHC card. This card worked fine in my Nikon D40, but when I try to use it in the E-PL1 I get "card error" and "write protect" errors, even with the write protect notch off. I formatted it in camera, and I still get the errors. If I format it in my PC and then put it back in the camera I can take 3-4 pictures before the errors come up again.

The camera works fine with my 2 GB Sandisk SD card, and I have several, but I really wanted to use the 4 GB card. The card works fine through my PC card reader- I copied and deleted a bunch of files, no problem. Thoughts?

[OldClicker]

At least half of the card problems I hear about are Kingston. - TF

[havana_joe]

At least half of the card problems I hear about are Kingston. - TF

Hmmm... Any idea what a good brand would be? The Olympus site only lists compatibility for Sandisk and Toshiba cards, either class 6 or class 10, with the PEN cameras. I'd like something that's a good mix of speed, size, and cost. I don't plan to do a ton of video recording. Maybe something 8 GB with a good reputation? Is Sandisk the way to go?

[Liz]

Hmmm... Any idea what a good brand would be? The Olympus site only lists compatibility for Sandisk and Toshiba cards, either class 6 or class 10, with the PEN cameras. I'd like something that's a good mix of speed, size, and cost. I don't plan to do a ton of video recording. Maybe something 8 GB with a good reputation? Is Sandisk the way to go?

I use Sandisk exclusively - basically because I began with Sandisk and never had a problem.

If you are going to do video, Class 6 or above. If no video, even Card 4 is fine. If you do RAW, you will need 8G.....

Here are a few suggestions:

Sandisk HDHC Ultra 8G Class 4. Amazon has free shipping over $25

http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Ultra-...4902127&sr=1-5

Sandisk Extreme 8G Class 10

http://www.amazon.com/Sandisk-Extrem...902127&sr=1-11

Liz

[havana_joe]

I use Sandisk exclusively - basically because I began with Sandisk and never had a problem.

If you are going to do video, Class 6 or above. If no video, even Card 4 is fine. If you do RAW, you will need 8G.....

Here are a few suggestions:

Sandisk HDHC Ultra 8G Class 4. Amazon has free shipping over $25

http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Ultra-...4902127&sr=1-5

Sandisk Extreme 8G Class 10

http://www.amazon.com/Sandisk-Extrem...902127&sr=1-11

Liz

Ok, thanks for the info Liz! One question though, I did shoot some test video using my 2 GB Sandisk SD card, which is only class 2, and it seemed to have worked. What advantage would the class 6 provide? Would a class 4 not work, I've seen a few 4 GB and 8 GB class 4 cards on sale…

[Liz]

Ok, thanks for the info Liz! One question though, I did shoot some test video using my 2 GB Sandisk SD card, which is only class 2, and it seemed to have worked. What advantage would the class 6 provide? Would a class 4 not work, I've seen a few 4 GB and 8 GB class 4 cards on sale…

That's a good question. If it worked for you, then I'm assuming that it's okay for videos shot with the PEN. I think it depends on the length of the video too. At any rate, I wouldn't spend more money for Class 6 if you don't need it.

I hope someone else chimes in here.

BTW, you might consider asking this question in a separate post on the "Helpfile" forum. I think you'd get more "intelligent" and knowledgeable replies.

Liz

[havana_joe]

That's a good question. If it worked for you, then I'm assuming that it's okay for videos shot with the PEN. I think it depends on the length of the video too. At any rate, I wouldn't spend more money for Class 6 if you don't need it.

I hope someone else chimes in here.

BTW, you might consider asking this question in a separate post on the "Helpfile" forum. I think you'd get more "intelligent" and knowledgeable replies.

Liz

Thanks Liz! I only posted it here as I didn't know if it was specific to this camera. Weird thing, after work I looked at the 4 GB card, it's a class 4, I formatted it on my computer again, but only a quick format this time, and I tried it in the E-PL1 again, and it seems to be working now. I took about 30 quick snaps, recorded a 30 second and a 6 minute video, and it worked. I deleted them all manually and snapped some more, it seems to be reading the card correctly. I'll keep some backup 2 GB SD cards on hand, if I get any more errors then I'll pick up an 8 GB class 6/10 and be done with it! Thanks again!

[Liz]

Thanks Liz! I only posted it here as I didn't know if it was specific to this camera. Weird thing, after work I looked at the 4 GB card, it's a class 4, I formatted it on my computer again, but only a quick format this time, and I tried it in the E-PL1 again, and it seems to be working now. I took about 30 quick snaps, recorded a 30 second and a 6 minute video, and it worked. I deleted them all manually and snapped some more, it seems to be reading the card correctly. I'll keep some backup 2 GB SD cards on hand, if I get any more errors then I'll pick up an 8 GB class 6/10 and be done with it! Thanks again!

You're welcome! I hope it keeps on working! Enjoy your camera....and post some pics when you get around to it. :thumbsup:

Liz

[havana_joe]

You're welcome! I hope it keeps on working! Enjoy your camera....and post some pics when you get around to it. :thumbsup:

Liz

Well, I had to buy a different card. The Kingston was fine for pictures, but class 4 is just not fast enough for video. In fact, I could only record about 15-30 seconds of video and then the camera would "crash"- it would stop recording, the write icon would keep flashing, and then it would say "CARD ERROR" and that would be it. I tried it several times, one time it crashed so badly that I couldn't even read the pictures; I put the card in my computer and recovered them there. I don't record video often but if doing so is going to crash the camera and corrupt the files, then I need a different solution!

I bought a Sandisk Extreme 4GB class 10 SDHC. I was going to go with the 8GB, but 4 should be enough for my needs. It works perfectly, I recorded 8 minutes of video, as a test, and it was fine. I guess when the manual says to use at least a class 6 card, I should have believed it!

[Liz]

Well, I had to buy a different card. The Kingston was fine for pictures, but class 4 is just not fast enough for video. In fact, I could only record about 15-30 seconds of video and then the camera would "crash"- it would stop recording, the write icon would keep flashing, and then it would say "CARD ERROR" and that would be it. I tried it several times, one time it crashed so badly that I couldn't even read the pictures; I put the card in my computer and recovered them there. I don't record video often but if doing so is going to crash the camera and corrupt the files, then I need a different solution!

I bought a Sandisk Extreme 4GB class 10 SDHC. I was going to go with the 8GB, but 4 should be enough for my needs. It works perfectly, I recorded 8 minutes of video, as a test, and it was fine. I guess when the manual says to use at least a class 6 card, I should have believed it!

I'm glad you were able to recover your images.....and that the new card works!

Liz