Customer Reviews

Sony MSX-512S Memory Stick PRO Flash Media (512MB) (Retail Package)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Alternatives: If you've got a Sony device, you generally have to use Memory Stick. Many people have also reported success with less expensive non-Sony brands of Memory Stick, such as Sandisk, though with careful shopping you can get the price difference close enough that you might want to stick with Sony.

Speed: Memory Stick Pro is compact, generally reliable, and designed to be fast enough to capture standard video (480x640) at a high frame rate (30 frames per second). If you plan to use that video mode on your camera, you need to get Memory Stick Pro, rather than standard Memory Stick. (But unless you're a professional, or have a high end camera, you probably won't benefit much from the more expensive Pro High Speed format.) So this M.S. Pro version is a good bet for most users.

Capacity: If you're a Sony camera user, you get used to paying more for everything. But the MagicGate "feature" - designed to allow copyright protection on Sony's music players, but useless to camera users - and the formatting waste about 10% of the capacity of the card. And unfortunately, at the moment all Pro cards also have MagicGate. So as noted, the usable capacity is about 460MB.

For a Sony DSC-P200, that will allow you to store photos as follows:
- at 7 megapixels, 141 pictures in fine, with low compression (or 277 in standard compression)
- at 5MP, 194 (or 365) pictures
- at 3 MP, 311 (or 554) pictures

As you can see, 1 MP uses up about 0.47MB of storage at fine or about 0.24MB at standard compression - so you can do the math on other combinations if you like. Other Sony cameras will have similar, but slightly varying, results.

Some cameras make it easy to switch resolutions, allowing you to stretch the capacity by varying the settings as needed. For example, on a 7MP camera, you can take some pictures at 3MP or 5MP and still get very good quality, depending on the size of the prints you plan to make.

Bottom Line: This Memory Stick Pro is a good product that would be lot better if it were competitively priced (relative to other flash memory) and didn't waste capacity on a feature most buyers don't need.

The 512 stick, which I use as my backup memory stick, is completely awesome.

It is the 3rd stick I purchased for my semi-professional Sony H1, and my older Sony DSC-P52. The 512 wasn't quite big enough for filming video at 30 frames per second. (about 6 minutes worth) so I went out and bought the 1 gig as well.

I am amazed at how fast it processes, and how fast it formats. Formatting is instantaneous.

If you shoot video at 30 fps, and can afford it, go for the 1 gig or even higher. Otherwise, the 512 is unbeatable.

Martin

Something is wrong, ordered 2 memory sticks, each order was shipped separately--Postage came to 21.50 !!!!! The memory sticks only cost 36.50.WHO ??? keeps all the extra postage money??? These items are very light and could have been shipped together Will not buy from Worldwide Distributor's again. I got ripped off.

I'm extremely happy with the fact that I could buy this memory stick for my Sony Cybershot at Amazon. I searched high and lo in Hong Kong and other shops in the US and everyone said my camera was outdated. Instead, I knew I could place a reorder on this item through Amazon. Thanks!

i know that my camera is obsolete, but i cannot find out which memory sticks work w/it, this one doesn't !!!!
would be nice to know before buying it

Somehow this sony memory stick is awfully slower than the SanDIsk one i got before, It takes 6-7 minuts to copy 500M to my computer.

Plus this price is more expensive... There is another 512Model have
a faster transfer speed, might worthy more bucks to try

I ordered this item for my camera which is about 15 years old.The memory size was too big and so I had to return it to the seller. Absolutley no trouble with the return. I am grateful for the "no hassle" return of the item. Seller is awesome!!

Did not work well with my card reader. Lost most of the pictures I took with it. My card reader worked with the other cards that I bought.

As usual, the best quality is provided by Sony and its suppliers. I have yet to use any Sony Equipment that is not flawless in its execution. These Memory Sticks are a marvel of modern technology. And they are sturdy. I highly recommend them to anyone using sony cameras and other Sony equipment.