Are Wi-Fi SD Cards Relevant, or Are They Joining the Game Too Late?

Image via Tabkul.com

Transcend , maker of memory cards, has announced a new line of SD cards with Wi-Fi capability. By simply inserting these Wi-Fi SD memory cards into an SDHC-compatible camera, shooters will be able to instantly upload captured images. The way it works is simple. First, you insert the Wi-Fi SD card into your camera, which will then automatically launch “Direct Share” mode. This will create a local network that will allow photos to be viewed and shared through a smartphone app (for iOS and Android). Alternatively, you can configure the Wi-Fi memory card to be set at “Internet Mode,” which will allow the card and its contents be available online via a local Internet hotspot. Available in 16GB ($69) and 32GB ($99), Transcend's new memory cards will be Class 10 speed rated and are expected to be on the shelves soon (no exact date revealed yet).

Other tech companies that have jumped on the Wi-Fi SD memory card bandwagon include Eye-Fi's wireless SD cards which first debuted in April 2011, and Toshiba's FlashAir WiFi SD card series. These Wi-Fi memory cards seem like great resources for photo enthusiasts eager to be the first to share their images with their social networks, but with the rise of Wi-Fi enabled gadgets, this new wave of SD cards seems to have come too late. Camera manufacturers are beginning to include Wi-Fi features with their newest rounds of DSLR cameras such as the Nikon D5200 and Canon 6D, and even their point and shoot cameras such as the Canon Powershot and Nikon Coolpix . These are all certainly more affordable and convenient features than the pricier wireless transmitters that had to be purchased separately. However, for photo enthusiasts who own older camera models and are in no rush to upgrade to the new Wi-Fi enabled bodies, the Wi-Fi SD cards may be affordable alternatives for instant online uploads.

What is your take on the Wi-Fi camera and memory card phenomenon? Is Wi-Fi capability for your photography devices important to you?

Won't work with my 1Dx anyway.

From what I hear these cards are pretty slow. Good to see a proper card brand getting into it though.

I figured these would be pretty slow, that is why I didn't buy

Two slow and pricey for what you get IMHO

Not new, Sandisk did it one year ago with not much success (too slow).
Also with Class 10 I think it's an expensive toy, also considering that many cameras offer WiFi.
For non-WiFi cameras I still prefer to pull out the much cheaper (five times less?) classic "dumb" card.
Maybe just a toy for iPad users?

Too slow to transfer files IMO to where ever via wi-fi IMO. Worked fine for storing files. I tend to turn my camera off when I am not shooting. So I take a couple of shots, turn it off. When I am ready to start taking more, I turn it back on. I suppose my style of shooting has as much to do with it as anything. Not worth the $$$ I spent though.

I'd like to know if anyone has any experience with Nikon's new attachment thingy for their consumer DSLRs....

This would be great for point and shoot cameras with smaller file sizes

I'll pass on these. Doesn't make sense when you consider how slow these are and the time it takes you to remove card from camera and download. It's quicker just the way it is.