I have only used the camera as a reader if the card reader did not like the card. I use Nikon and CF card mainly but if I use my daughters D80 or my other daughters SD card PS, then the older card reader I have doesn't like the larger SD cards. I have not normally found any speed problems using the camera to computer connection.

If you are running Windows XP with less than a Gig of RAM please upgrade you memory now.

But I have to agree with the other members on this you need to get a card reader. The readers now days are very inexpensive some are even less than $10.00.