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SanDisk's 512MB Ultra CompactFlash card. Courtesy of SanDisk. SanDisk introduces high-speed CompactFlash card line!
By
(Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - 01:32 EDT)

'Ultra' CompactFlash cards in a variety of capacities compete with Lexar's high-speed flash head-on...

SanDisk Corp. has announced a new line of CompactFlash cards targeted at the Pro photographer, billed as 'Ultra' CompactFlash. Available in capacities of 128, 192, 256, 384 and 512MB, the cards will ship worldwide (including, of course, the USA) - with the exception of Japan where shipments will being next month.

SanDisk's new cards have a claimed write speed of 2.8MB/second, which the company says is more than twice the speed of its current flash cards. Competitor Lexar rates its cards based on a similar notation to that used for CD-ROM drives, where a nominal rating of 150KB is considered to be 1X - hence 300KB would be 2X, and so on. The company recently announced a 16X card in the same 512MB capacity as SanDisk's Ultra card, and based on each company's claimed speeds the SanDisk card would be just over an 18X card, some 17% faster than the Lexar card (note that this is not based on independant measurements, however - just the claimed speeds). Lexar has yet to announce pricing for their 16X card, but currently retail a slightly less speedy 12X 512MB card for $919 (just under $1.80/MB). SanDisk, meanwhile, have stated suggested street pricing of $100 to $500 for its new Ultra-range cards depending on capacity, which would suggest a cost of just under $1 per megabyte.

Just what speed gain can you expect from Pro-oriented cards such as these with different cameras and card readers? Our friends at the Digital Photography Review have compiled an interesting article examining just this topic, which readers may find of interest...

Source: SanDisk Corp.

Original Source Press Release:

SanDisk Introduces Ultra CompactFlash Cards, Fast Memory Cards for High-End Digital Cameras

Speed-Optimized, Large-Capacity StorageCards Let Advanced Digital Photographers Shoot More High-Resolution Images Quickly

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Oct.15, 2001 - SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK) today introduced SanDisk Ultra CompactFlash ,a new line of high-speed storage cards specifically designed for use in the rapidly growing market segment of high-performance digital cameras. The new SanDisk Ultra CompactFlash (CF) cards are targeted at advanced photographers who require high-performance
cards to quickly shoot many high-resolution images.

SanDisk Ultra CF cards have a sustained write speed of up to 2.8 megabytes (MB) persecond or more than twice the sustained write speed of SanDisk's standard CF products, and will be sold in the popular Type I CompactFlash form factor.

Nelson Chan, senior vice president of worldwide sales and marketing, said, "SanDisk has leveraged our close relationships with the leading digital camera manufacturers to develop a new and exciting family of advanced high-performance cards - the SanDisk Ultra CF. The technology behind SanDisk Ultra CF cards employs advanced controller algorithms to enhance the performance for use inthe latest generation of exciting new high-megapixel digital cameras. In an age of rapid advances in digital cameras, we are confident that the SanDisk UltraCF cards will increasingly become the preferred card for even the most demanding digital photographers"

Kazuya Hosoe, Advisory Director, Deputy Chief Executive of Image Communication Products Operations, Group Executive of Digital Imaging Group, Canon said, "We strive hard to deliver the high-quality products and accessories that Canon customers have come to expect and that obviously
extends to storage cards. SanDisk is a well-known brand throughout the world and we are very pleased to support the new SanDisk Ultra line of CompactFlash cards that will take advantage of the wide range of features and high-performance of Canon's digital cameras."

Naoki Tomino, Executive Officer, General Manager, Development Management Department, Image Company, Nikon said, "We continue to provide the advanced features and capabilities to photographers who demand the ultimate combination of image quality, performance and flexibility. Image storage requirements continue to increase and we are pleased to see the development of the SanDisk Ultra line of high-performance CompactFlash cards. This will expand the storage capabilities and performance levels that Nikon customers expect."

Ron Glaz, research manager, Digital Imaging,International Data Corporation, a leading market research firm, said, "SanDisk's strategy of focusing its SanDisk Ultra CompactFlash lineup on high-performance digital cameras is very sound. These are the cameras that gain the most from the cards' large capacities and fast write speed. Digital photography is a key factor driving
the growth of flash storage cards and these new CF cards with capacities of 512MB enhance their offering. SanDisk is in a great position to offer digital camera users of all levels a broad product offering."

Designed Specifically for High-Performance & Professional Digital Cameras
The latest high-resolution digital cameras generate large image files, some of which approach 17MB in size. These large files can increase the time required for the camera to capture the image and transfer it to the CF card, forcing the photographer to wait until the camera is ready to take the next shot.

SanDisk Ultra CF cards have been specifically developed for these advanced cameras and are designed to save these large image files to the card as quickly as possible so the camera will be ready to take the next picture.

Compatibility, Prices, Capacities and Availability
SanDisk Ultra CompactFlash cards are fully compatible and interchangeable with all CompactFlash digital cameras, CF card readers and adapters, and are available in the following capacities: 128, 192, 256, 384 and 512 megabytes. Approximate street prices for SanDisk Ultra CF cards in that capacity range are $100 to $500, which reflects a modest premium over SanDisk's standard CF
cards. SanDisk expects to commence shipments of SanDisk Ultra CF cards immediately in the U.S and world wide, with the exception of Japan, which will start shipping next month. The company sells its SanDisk-branded flash memory cards and card readers in more than 35,000 stores worldwide.

SanDisk Corporation, the world's largest supplier of flash data storage products, designs, manufactures and markets industry-standard, solid-state data, digital imaging and audio storage products using its patented, high density flash memory and controller technology. SanDisk is based in Sunnyvale, Calif.

The matters discussed in this news release contain forward looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties including the ability of the company to manufacture these products in volume, risks associated with introducing new technologies, competition from other
technologies, timely and uninterrupted supply of products and materials from various suppliers and third party manufacturers as well as other factors. Other risks for SanDisk include those items described under the caption "Factors That May Affect Future Results" in the company's annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. The company assumes no obligation to update the information in this release.

CompactFlash and ImageMate are trademarks of SanDisk Corp. All trade names are either registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders.

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