Ok, so you just got your brand new Canon PowerShot SX210 IS and you realized that you still need to get a memory card…but which one? SD? SDHC? SDXC? In this post I’ll answer all your questions about the different types of memory cards for the SX210 IS.
If you’d like to skip straight to my memory card recommendation for the Canon PowerShot SX210 IS, click here.
Canon PowerShot SX210 IS Memory Card Types
- SD Memory Cards
- SDHC Memory Cards
- SDXC Memory Cards
- Eye-Fi Memory Cards
- MMC Memory Cards
SD cards can hold up to 4GB worth of images and video.
SDHC cards can hold up to 32GB worth of images and video.
SDHC cards can hold up to 64GB worth of images and video.
Eye-Fi cards are essentially SD cards with wireless abilities. So instead of hooking up a cable to your computer or plugging your card into the memory card slot, you could just get your camera in range with your wireless network and upload the images from your office, bedroom, front porch, wherever!
MMC cards are 1st generation SD cards. I wouldn’t recommend getting an MMC card as they are nearing the end of their life. SD cards are the way to go, if you plan on using them in newer cameras.
Image Capacity on the Canon SX210 IS
Now that you know the different types of memory cards that work with the SX210 IS, I wanted to give you an idea of the image capacity depending on which card you choose.
- A 4GB SD card will give you approximately 1,084 photos using the Fine image quality setting.
- A 16GB SDHC card will give you approximately 4,334 images using the Fine image quality setting.
- A 32GB SDHC card will give you approximately 8,668 images using the Fine image quality setting.
HD Video Capacity on the Canon SX210 IS
In this list you’ll see me mention Class 4 a few times. In order to shoot HD video on the Canon SX210 IS, you’ll need to use a memory card with a Class 4 rating or higher. The term Class 4 basically refers to the minimum write speed, which is 4 megabytes per second. Canon specifically states that with anything less than a Class 4 memory card, you’ll experience issues with video recording and playback.
- A 4GB SDHC (Class 4) card will give you approximately 21 min of HD 1280×720 video.
- A 16GB SDHC (Class 4) card will give you approximately 84 min of HD 1280×720 video.
- A 32GB SDHC (Class 4) card will give you approximately 168 min of HD 1280×720 video.
The best memory card for the Canon SX210 IS based on both price and performance is the Transcend 16GB SDHC class 6 memory card.  This card is great for everyday photos and videos with added speed for transferring files to your computer.
- It has a good amount of storage space allowing you to take 4,334 photos or 84 minutes of HD video using the highest quality settings on the PowerShot SX210 IS.
- It’s a Class 6 memory card which is above the Class 4 requirement for shooting HD video. The class 6 rating will also give you faster transfer speeds when compared to the class 4 card.
Click Here to see the lowest price for the Transcend 16 GB Class 6 SDHC memory card!
Make sure your computer can accept sdhc memory cards
If you’re at your computer, take a quick look at the memory card reader and see if it says SDHC anywhere. If it doesn’t, then your computer won’t be able to read SDHC memory cards using the SD slot. For those of you in this category, I recommend getting a memory card reader that can accept SDHC cards, like this one.
Happy Shooting!
Written by Moose on Tuesday, April 20, 2010
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I have over 1,000 photos on my SD chip but recently the camera will only let me view 35 photos. Where did the rest of my photos go? I know I did not delete them because when I put my SD chip in my computer they all show up. I am just wondering how I can view the rest of my photos on my camera.
Great site you have.
Do I have to remove the battery from the camera to charge it or can I charge it with a USB cable to the mini USB input on the camera?
Thanks
how to increase video sound recording of this canon camera
i have canon sx210is camera, i want to know how to increase the video sound recording of this camera .
with regards
Hello Moose,
Plz also advice on having an Eye-Fi Memory Card, is it good to replace a SD / SDHC card. Is the Card slot in Canon Powershot SX210IS compatible for all the above 3 types of Cards ie. SD / SDHC / Eye-Fi Memory Cards
Thank U
Hello Moose,
In the Canon SX210IS, any shoot from a TV, is still with the flicker inspite of selecting the TV mode.
How to use the Aperture mode?
Plz advice me, Thank U
Im having difficulty getting my SD card to stay in my camera. it was fine and then I took it out to download and now it wont stay down in. Any suggestions?
i just purchased CANON POWERSHOT SX210 IS CAMERA , do i have to first formateed the memory card { SDHC 16GB } ?
Thank you for your very informative tips. Enjoying this slim, compact camera.
I just got a Canon Powershot SX210 IS, and I’ve been researching the best memory card for it. Not being very technologically saavy, I had a hard time differentiating different kinds of cards. You’ve laid all the info out here quite nicely. Thank you!! This is a tremendous help.
I am planning to get the 64gb card because I will be doing a lot of shooting and I wont have access to a pc for while. In your blog you didn’t talk about the 64gb so is it supported or you dont have it?
David,
Here’s my issue with 64GB cards…they’re expensive. Right now the best method to get 64GB worth of images and video is to purchase two 32GB SDHC cards. I like the Transcend 32 GB SDHC Class 10 ultimate speed cards. Best of luck!
- Moose
Moose, than you for the advice. I just bought the SX210IS, and I have been looking online everywhere on the best card. There are so many choices, brands, etc. I’m glad you also took into account the price. Thank you!
D. Satrana,
Glad you found the info helpful…happy shooting!
- Moose
Hi, I wondered how you rated the 16gb Sandisc memory cards
Lin,
I tested both Transcend and SanDisk branded memory cards of varying speeds and didn’t notice any major differences in performance.
- Moose
Hi Moose,
The item below is that a good match for a Canon Powershot SX210IS? I am needing a memory card and also thought a card reader would save on the battery. thank you, constance
Transcend 16 GB SDHC Class 6 Flash Memory Card with Card Reader TS16GSDHC6-S5W
by Transcend
Constance,
Yes, the Transcend 16GB SDHC Class 6 with card reader (see it here) would be a great choice. The card reader will allow you to quickly and easily transfer images over to your hard drive without having to plug in your SX210IS.
- Moose
Have a 8gb sandisk sdhc card for sx210 is – when shooting hd videos i can only shoot for 23 seconds or so – is this correct? do I need a better card?
Theresa,
You should be able to get 42 minutes of HD video on your 8GB memory card. Transfer all your photos/videos on the memory card to your computer and then try formatting the card using the SX210IS. Once you’ve done that, try shooting another video to see if it goes beyond 23 seconds.
- Moose
I just bought the canon sx210IS and my big question is about length of storage and speed…Im basically using this camera for shooting concerts and want to know the best way to capture all 4 bands and their entire set…Should I get a bunch of 2GB cards or a few 16gb cards? i dont know which is the best card for my particular situation.
Glenn,
I would go with the 16GB SDHC cards (Class 6). If you’re planning to take HD video at the concert along with some photos, you could easily run out of space using the 2GB cards…especially if it’s a long set. Remember, that you’ll need a memory card with a Class 4 or higher rating in order to shoot HD video on the SX210IS.
- Moose
ok…which is the best card to get? like which brand or whatever lol.. that sandisk 16gb extreme sdhc card, is that the best one for giving me what im lookin for? i kinda would rather just get the best card on the market for what im doing the first time and not have to screw around with it later ya know what i mean?
do i really need an $80 card if one thats $30 on ebay will get me by?
Glenn,
I would recommend getting one of the Transcend 16GB SDHC memory cards…either Class 6 or Class 10. Class 10 would be better suited for future cameras, so if you’re planning ahead I would go that route. The Class 10 Transcend 16GB memory card is only $28 bucks on Amazon. Best of luck!
- Moose
just got my camera and the card today… is there a way to switch between 720p and regular standard def for shooting movies or does it always shoot in 720p? cant seem to find anything about that in the manual
also which hdmi cable should i get for it?
Glenn,
720p is only available when shooting in HD (1280×720). If you want a lower quality video, just select the 640×480 or 320×240 video modes from the setup menu (page 103 of the Canon SX210 IS manual).
- Moose
Glenn,
You’ll need to get a mini-HDMI cable. If your TV comes equipped with a regular HDMI slot, then you’ll need a mini-HDMI to HDMI cable (shown here).
- Moose
Hi Moose!
I have got canon powershot sx210is. I want to ask, how to take very close-up shots with this camera, for e.g. – a butterfly on the flower etc. I request you to guide me about this.
Thanks,
Ranjit.
Ranjit,
You’ll want to enable Macro mode…
1. Press rotating dial on the left
2. Rotate the dial to the flower icon or Macro mode
3. Press ‘Ok’
- Moose
If money wasn’t an issue would you get a 32GB card just for the added security in size for video and images?
Nick,
Honestly I would save the money and just get a 16GB. I usually transfer images and video once a week from my 16GB Transcend card…very rarely do I ever hit the full 16GB capacity in that timespan.
- Moose
Did you try to copy 16GB of data (photos or movies) from SDHC card to the PC? It took 45min of time for Class6 card. For class10 card it took 33min… If you plan to copy your pictures to your PC frequently, class10 is better choice ;)
Ludwo,
Yes, you’re correct in regards to transferring images to your computer…
A Class 6 card has a minimum write/transfer speed of 6 megabytes per second.
A Class 10 card has a minimum write/transfer speed of 10 megabytes per second.
In regards to the Canon SX210 IS, you won’t notice any difference in performance between the two cards. When transferring images to your computer, you’ll be able to shave off a few seconds or minutes depending on how much data you have stored on the card.
- Moose
Do you think it’s worth the extra money to get a Class 10 card instead of a Class 6? Thanks.
Hey Steve,
Everybody has their own opinion when it comes to high speed memory cards. In my experience, I noticed little to any difference in using high speed memory cards. The only time they’re required is when a camera needs a specific speed to record video or to capture photos while in burst mode. If I were you, I’d save the money and just go with a class 6 card.
- Moose