Customer Reviews

SanDisk 16GB Ultra 15MB/s SDHC SD Card (SDSDH-016G, Bulk Packaging)

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

The labeling of this item (SanDisk 16GB Ultra II SDHC card) is very confusing. On the front side it claims a maximum speed of 15MB/sec. At the same time, it is marketed as 'Class-4' (which means a minimum read/write speed of just 4MB/s). To move up to a 'class-6' card from the same manufacturer, you have to buy the SanDisk 16gb Extreme III SDHC card which costs 2-3 times more.

I decided to take a chance with this Ultra II card, even though my new Canon EOS Rebel T1i explicitly requires a 'Class-6' card for video capture. I'm happy to report that the card is fast enough to keep up with my camera, even in burst mode and in 1080 HD video mode.

My own benchmark (see 'Customer Images') revealed that the read speed of this card is consistently fast at 18-19MB/s. But its write speed is strongly dependent on the data file size:
- For small files of 1MB each, the card is only able to write at about 6MB/s. That means it qualifies as a borderline 'class-6'.
- For typical photo files (4-6MB each), the write speed is much faster at around 10MB/s.
- When writing a huge file of 1GB, the card can actually achieve the claimed maximum speed of 15MB/s.

The SanDisk Ultra II may not be a good choice if you want to use it as a ReadyBoost device (frequent writing of smaller file). But when used in digital cameras, this 'class-4' card is just as fast or even faster than other brands of 'class-6' cards (such as the Transcend 16 GB SDHC Class 6, which levels off at 11MB/s for large files). This makes the Ultra II a great value - especially for those people who prefer to stay with a trusted name brand.

[Update on Nov 18, 2011]
At the time of my original review, this Sandisk Ultra card was marketed as a 'class-4', while the Extreme card was called a 'class-6'. But now the Ultra is called 'class-6' while the Extreme is 'class-10'. I strongly suspect it is just marketing people playing tricks with definitions of 'class-4/6/10'.

Bought this card for cheap additional space on my Dell Mini 9 netbook. Was only $29 (seller was BlueProton). Another person on here stated they received a fake SD card so I called SanDisk to verify authenticity and looks like I received a real/authentic SanDisk. Very fast card, I have most of my programs stored on this card, the load a little slower but run fine once opened. Great price for fast 16gb of space

SanDisck is the only brand I trust and rely on for my SD storage needs. I bought this for my point & shoot digital camera to be able to take extended video and hold lots of pictures. It's super fast when downloading pics to my computer as well as wehn its in the camera.

First off, the shipping was super fast and I received it quickly.

The Cards work fine but they are not real sandisk cards. They are fakes. I have not had the cards long enough to see if there is any difference between the real cards I already have or the fakes I received, but I will soon find out.

So far for the price I paid i'm happy, but am unhappy that this company/retailer is selling bootleg fake products and amazon is allowing them to do so.

You can tell the difference between real cards and fakes by the type of plastic used on the back of the card. On the real cards the plastic backing is slightly translucent. The fakes have a solid black plastic backing that is not translucent.

I got this to use with my Creative Zen and it works fine there or with my HP Pavilion laptop. Mine has a 2 instead of a 4 in the circle on the right, but otherwise matches the picture. If it is a fake, it is a pretty good one, especially for the price.

I don't know why some reviewers claim this card is good for HD video. This is a a class 4 card. The write speed is indeed just a 5M/s. Video recording on my T2i will stop after a few second.

The (up to) 15M/s is only for reading - Writing is slower (This is the wording on the product package).

It is ridiculous for anyone to claim this is comparable to a no-name class 6 or class 10 card.

In fact, my 3 year old Sandisk Ultra II 4G is faster than this new Ultra II card.

This is a great sdhc card!inexpensive and reliable.
I use it in my helmet cam,and all my friends that ride and have helmet cams,like the fact that i can record all day, when they can only film for about 1.5 hours with theirs.

To start this card came in a bulk package meaning it doesn't come on the traditional retail card. It comes in the small plastic case and placed in an anti-static envelope. No problem, saves packaging material. I'd also say it looks like a genuine Sandisk card (translucent back). Also although the picture shows "class 2" the card I received was in fact a class 4.

I tested the card in my new Lumix FZ35 and it worked flawlessly. Was able to shoot high def video (720p) with no problem in both ACVHD and Motion JPEG(.MOV) with no problem. Card mounted on my iMAC G5 with no problem (can be read with older SD card readers although not as fast as an SDHC reader).

All in all a good experience. Was happy to see it could record video OK. The Lumix manual says the camera needs a class 6 card although the Sandisk web site says the Ultra II is the correct card for it. I beleive the Sandisk cards perform better than some of the same class "cheapo" cards.

UPDATE: While recording video at 720p and shooting photos in jpeg mode is no problem I just tested RAW photos and because of the file size increase (from 5-6MB to 16MB per photo) it does take a few seconds to write the file to the card. Perhaps a faster (class 6) card would be better if you think you will need to shoot a lot of RAW images rapidly.

I love this little card, a few claim its fake but I have a hard time believing them since it's made so well. It's fast enough for my use and it has 16GB of space for $43.76. Great deal worth buying.

does what it's supposed to. has an amazing write speed and I haven't encountered any problems with it. keep in mind it's only a memory card, so how many things could possibly go wrong with it?