Difference Between SDHC Cards and SD Cards


SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) and SD (Secure Digital) cards are two types of flash memory storage devices that are extensively used in portable electronic devices, including cameras, smartphones, and tablets. While both types of cards appear similar, they differ in storage capacity and compatibility.

SDHC cards are a type of flash memory card that was introduced as an expansion to the SD card standard. SD cards, which stand for Secure Digital Cards, are a type of removable storage device that is extensively used in electronic devices such as digital cameras.

Read this article to find out more about SDHC Cards and SD Cards and how they are different from each other.

What are SDHC Cards?

SDHC cards are a type of flash memory card that was introduced as an expansion to the SD card standard. SDHC cards feature more storage space than normal SD cards, making them excellent for storing large files like high- resolution images, movies, and music.

SDHC cards perform better than normal SD cards in terms of data transfer rates. They have a minimum transfer rate of 10 MB/s since they use faster controllers and interfaces. SDHC cards are thus excellent for applications requiring high- speed data transfer, such as recording high-definition video or taking high- resolution photographs in rapid succession.

SDHC cards also include error correction and wear levelling algorithms, which help increase the card's dependability and lifespan. They are also designed to withstand a variety of environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and shock.

What are SD Cards?

SD cards, which stand for Secure Digital Cards, are a type of removable storage device that is extensively used in electronic devices such as digital cameras, smartphones, and portable music players. They are small and compact, making them easy to carry around and store.

SD cards were introduced in 1999 and have since evolved with different improvements and updates. The original SD card format had a maximum storage capacity of 2GB; however, newer SD card formats, such as the SDXC format, can store up to 2TB of data.

SD cards are also backwards compatible with older versions of the SD card format, but maximum capacity and performance may be limited by the device's specifications. To ensure compatibility with the type of SD card you intend to use, check the device's manual or specifications.

SD cards also use the FAT16 file system, which is a basic and well-established file system. This file system is compatible with a broad variety of devices and operating systems, making it simple to use SD cards with various devices and transfer files between them.

Difference between SDHC Cards and SD Cards

The following table highlights the major differences between SDHC Cards and SD Cards −

Characteristics

SDHC Cards

SD Cards

Storage Capacity

Up to 2GB

Up to 32GB

File System

FAT16

FAT32

Compatibility

Most devices, but some older devices may not support

Most devices, but some older devices may not support

Use Cases

Smaller storage needs, basic photography, audio storage

Larger storage needs, fast data transfer, HD video, and high-speed photography

Data Transfer Rate

Up to 2MB/s

Minimum 10MB/s

Data transfer speed

Slower than SDHC cards

Faster than SD cards

Conclusion

In conclusion, SD cards are most suitable for small storage requirements, but SDHC cards are more suitable for larger storage needs and applications that require fast data transfer rates. It is important to verify the specifications of your device to determine which type of card is compatible and suitable for your needs.

Updated on: 15-May-2023

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