Elmsford, N.Y. – Fujifilm announced today that it is shipping a 256MB xD-Picture Card flash memory card for a suggested retail price of $199.99.
The new format, co-developed by Olympus and manufactured by Toshiba, is now available in capacities of 16MB, 32MB, 64MB, 128MB and 256MB, with 512MB and 1GB cards expected later in the year. The format is road-mapped to hit capacities of 8GB, though there is no word on when that can be achieved.
Currently the smallest flash storage format on the market, the xD-Picture Card is comparable in size to a penny, measuring 0.79 by 0.98 by 0.07 inches and weighing less than one-tenth of an ounce.
According to Fujifilm, the xD format minimizes power consumption and provides fast read/write capabilities for smoother digital camera operation. For instance, a 16MB or 32 MB card can record data at 1.3 MB per second. A 64MB or higher card can record data at 3 MB/sec and offers read speeds of 5 MB/sec.
‘The small size and high-capacity of the xD-Picture Card allows manufacturers to develop smaller, lighter digital cameras to meet consumer demand,’ said Frank Bulzomi, senior marketing manager, Magnetic Markets Division, Fuji Photo Film.