Technical Forum

I have a Canon IXY 8 pixel camera. I went to buy a new larger memory card, and showed the salesman existing card, and camera. When I got it home I saw on the packaging a warning to check if the SDHC card is compatible with the device.
I checked the manual but it just mentions SD card. I'm leaving Uk on Tuesday, so have little time to take it back if it's wrong.
Anyone know and can help?

Know little, but if the salesperson saw camera and card chances are it'll be ok.

But if the salesperson was in a Dixons, and a callow youth (as they often are in those shops), I'd be a bit more wary.

I'd try it and see. If it doesn't work you have every right to take it back and throw a hissy fit (if required) because you were following the advice of the shop. What they sold you was not 'fit for purpose'.

How old is your camera? SDHC is High Capacity and was introduced in 2006.
Older cameras are not compatible.

Oh I hate the way manufacturers have different names for camera models in different parts of the world. I have and 8MP Canon IXUS, called Powershot in the USA, so maybe it is the IXY in UK/Europe.
If you camera is a Canon IXY910 8MP, then most likely it is the same as mine and will be ok with the SDHC card.

If you purchased a SDHC card ,check your manual,if your manual only states standard SD cards the SDHC will not work.Also most built in card readers on your pc will not read SDHC cards when inserted into card slot.You need to have SDHC card reader also.

Shane, you say your manual only mentions SD cards. My manual has a mention at the very beginning of the manual under the heading "Conventions Used in this Guide" and says there that SDHC cards and MultimediaCards as well as regular SD cards in the camera. It infers that they don't bother to say all this right thru the book.
See if you can find it in your book.
Did you get two guides? The Basic Camera User Guide AND the Advanced Camera User Guide?

Thanks everyone.
My camera was a gift given to my husband by some Japanese visitors in February 2008.

I'll check the manual again . It's very detailed , but I didn't find any reference To SDHC on my initial search. I may just go and get another plain SD just to be on the safe side. There's no harm in having plenty memory cards anyway.

Thanks again.

I'm not familiar with that specific model, but use Canon's web site for specifications on the camera. They will detail if HD can be used. If it's a 2008 model, it should support HD versions. But as it's a gift, better check on the specs.

The only different SD cards i have heard of are th emini-ones that phones use. These often come with a sort of adapter which changes them into the standard-size one that we are used-to.
I use SD cards and the temptation is to buy a huge one (2gb etc) but beware - if there is a problem you stand to lose the WHOLE holiday.
I use a series of 1gb cards so that, in the event of a problem, or loss, I don't lose the whole holiday.
Mine on highest quality setting stores 450-odd photos on a 2gb card I think - I can therefore live with 230-odd at a time on 1gb cards!

There is definitely a difference between SD cards and SDHC cards, some devices can't operate the HC variety.

Would it not be much easier to pop it in the camera and check?

Yes that seems obvious but I wonder if she didn't want to open the packet in case she needed to return it. Oh well ....

Pam [KIWI]guessed correctly about why I wouldn't try using it. Luckily I have found on Canon site that mine is compatible with SDHC, so I can safely travel back to Sudan knowing I have plenty space available. Thanks very much to all who offered suggestions.Mind you it took me a while to find the information!

Great stuff Shane, Now you can shoot away and look forward to seeing the fotos :-)
I had a 4GB card fail recently, so that was a lesson. Didn't lose too many pics as I had just downloaded it. I have a baby laptop to carry with me, and that proved it's worth that time. But I had already been nervous about such a big card, and as someone mentioned, I have several 1GB and 2GB cards. Spread the risk.
I LOVE my little Canon and especially love taking short videos with it for VT. Vids take a lot of space so need the extra cards for that.
Fortunately for me my Nikon SLR takes the same SD cards, so I can use them in both cameras.
Glad you solved the problem :-)

As long as we're on the subject of SD (and other) memory cards, one item to note is the products from eBay sellers tend to be "outstanding fakes." Prior to a trip a few years ago I stocked up on cards from "reportedly good feedback sellers." 3 of the four cards were fake. Two work just fine but I've not "pushed their limits" yet. One "died" right after I'd backed up the data so nothing was lost except the purchase price. There are staggering statistics on the amount of fake flash memory being distributed toda.

I suspect then that mine is a fake, how do you tell?

Pam, you sound like me. I was going to invest in a video camera, but my son suggested me getting larger memory card so I could take short video shots with my camera. It's amazing how even a 1G card can hold so much. I usually download frequently though seldom delete until I have made Cds and backup on my external hard drive.
I've been away from home now since mid April and and have pics from Paris, Warsaw, London and Cardiff still on the card, plus the odd short videos- deliberate and unintended [LOL]. I've already put most onto Vt, but need to file them at home, so will be busy the next week or so after I get home.
Mind you at this time of year the power is erratic, but no hurry.
Again thanks for all the advice.