For Sony Digital cameras and camcorders flash cards are often used rather then tapes, as these will record true HD in a digital format. These cards hold a set amount of memory, which translates to a set amount of recording time or number of pictures. Once the card is filled, it can be inserted into a card reader and the memory can be transferred to a computer hard drive. There are a number of different types of Sony flash cards.
Sony Memory Stick Pro
The Sony Memory Stick Pro is the first upgraded Sony Flash Card from their standard flash card, which only held 128 megabytes of memory, while the Memory Stick Pro holds up to 1 gigabyte of memory. The downside of this Sony Flash Card is that it won't work in devices that previously used the standard flash card. However, devices that work with the Memory Stick Pro are compatible with the standard memory stick, so if you upgrade devices, you should hold onto the old standard memory stick as a backup for a little extra memory when you are shooting.
Sony Memory Stick Duo
The Sony Memory Stick Duo and the Sony Memory Stick Duo Pro are basically smaller versions of the Sony Memory Stick Pro and are meant to work primarily in digital cameras, as they will last for longer. These Duo cards also match up with their pin-to-pin contacts in all devices that use the Sony Memory Stick Pro devices. So these Sony flash cards are best to have either as backups for the larger cards or for use in cameras where you don't plan on taking more than 100 pictures.
Sony Magic Gate Cards
Sony Magic Gate Cards are the largest Sony flash cards and are used in professional Sony video cameras, ranging from those that are used in the prosumer market--meaning "professional-consumer," a term referring to consumers who buy professional-grade merchandise--to those that are used on actual television shows. These cards range in size from 8 gigabytes on up and can be as expensive as $1,000, depending on their size. These larger flash cards are very efficient to have when you are shooting footage all day and don't have time, a computer or a place where you can dump footage off of the cards.
Tags: Sony Memory, Sony Memory Stick, Memory Stick, devices that, flash cards
