xD Picture Cards

What are XD Cards?

XD cards are a type of insertable and removable flash memory that is often used with digital cameras, but can be used with other devices as well. They are often referred to as XD memory cards or XD picture cards as well. They are not to be confused with Secure Digital (SD) memory cards which, though similar in use, are not at all compatible with XD cards. Other competitive technologies include Sony's memory stick, and CompactFlash (CF). None of these different technologies are compatible with each other.

XD cards were originally developed by Olympus and Fujitsu for use in their cameras, and are available in sizes from 16MB up to 2GB. They were only ever used in Olympus digital cameras, Fujifilm digital cameras, Olympus digital voice recorders, and a short lived MP3 player made under the Fujifilm name. They are inferior to all other competing technologies in regards to maximum storage capacity, transfer speed, and life span, though they tend to be more expensive due to their limited use and, therefore, limited production. XD cards are a bit smaller than SD and Memory Stick cards, but far larger than SD-micro and Memory Stick Micro cards.

Both Olympus and Fujitsu have been moving away from the XD format, and adopting the more universal SD card format for their newer devices. Though new devices using the XD format are unlikely to be developed, XD cards should continue to be produced for quite some time due to the number of Olympus and Fujifilm cameras still in use around the world.