REVIEW: X-T1 SD Memory Card Buffer test

-


Yesterday I posted a quick test to see how fast the memory buffer was in the new X-Pro2 and how fast the camera could shoot with different speeds of SD memory cards I have available.

 You can see the results on the blog HERE

 As a comparison I decided to carry out the same test with the same six SD cards in the X-T1 to see what the difference is between it and the newer X-Pro2.  The results were quite an eye opener.

 Here are the results for the X-T1.  

 The first column is the number of frames (RAW + JPEG N) the camera shot before the buffer was full and the next column shows the time taken to clear the buffer after the last shot was taken.  The final column is the number of JPEG (F) only images could be taken before the camera buffer was full.


And as a comparison here are the results from yesterdays tests using the X-Pro2.  Slot 1 is for the newer SDHC II cards and slot 2 is for the older SDHC I cards.  You can use the type II cards in slot 2, you just don't get the faster speeds.

 You can see the direct comparison between the speeds of the X-T1 buffer and the X-Pro2.


The buffer on the X-T1 tops out at 22 RAW + JPEG (N) files and 36 JPEG (F) files no matter which card is used.  The difference is the speed that the files are written to the memory card and the time it takes to clear the buffer to allow the camera to shoot again.

 Using the Lexar and Toshiba SDHC II cards, the camera is obviously quicker at clearing the buffer allowing the camera to carry on shooting.

 Now I need to point out that this in no way means the X-T1 is no good for sport or wildlife, far from it.  22 RAW + JPEG shots is far more than I ever shoot in a sequence while working at a motorsport event.  The most is around 11-12 shots in a row.  

 Using the fastest cards the X-T1 can clear a full buffer in 15-20 seconds, compared to 11-13 seconds for the X-Pro2, so 11-12 shots will still give me 9 or 10 in reserve and in 8-10 seconds the buffer will be clear anyway.

CONCLUSION
As I concluded yesterday following the X-Pro2 test, I recommend using the fastest cards that are available to maximise the performance of your X-T1.  The X-Pro2 and X-T1 are the only Fujifilm X Series cameras to use the new SDHC II cards and I recommend using these faster cards in these cameras.  

 You can still use the SDHC II cards in other X Series cameras but you won't be using them at the headline read/ write speeds but you will still be maximising the performance of your camera.  You will also benefit from the higher transfer speeds when moving your files onto a computer as long as you are using a fast card reader as well.

 I recommend avoiding the slower 30 MB/s cards and I only keep them now to transfer files between computers and not to take images on.



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLEASE SUPPORT THIS BLOG BY VISITING THE ADVERTISERS ON THIS PAGE
By clicking on the adverts you are helping support this blog - thank you.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


ALL IMAGES ARE THE PROPERTY OF MACLEAN PHOTOGRAPHIC AND CANNOT BE USED FOR ANY PURPOSE WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION

MacLean Photographic run Tours and Workshops in East Lothian and the Borders of Scotland.  CLICK HERE for more details and availability

In June 2015 Jeff Carter was named as a Fujifilm brand ambassador and you can view his profile and gallery on the Fujifilm website HERE

If you like what you see on this blog please visit our Facebook page and click 'like'

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

REVIEW: The New Fujinon 2x Converter

-
Image
Yesterday Fujifilm launched the latest edition to the Fujinon XF lens line up, the XF 2X TC WR teleconverter for use with the XF50-140mm f2.8 and XF100-400mm f4.5/5.6 zoom lenses.  In April I was invited by Fujifilm to test the new converter and here are my thoughts on this new lens. Before I go into details I need to be upfront about something.  I've never been a fan of 2x converters because the optical quality of the lens is usually affected to a large degree.   I did have a 1.4x and 2x converter for my lenses when I was shooting with Nikon. While the 1.4x converter was regularly attached to my long f2.8 lenses, the 2x converter was probably used about three times in the 18 years I used Nikkor lenses.  I didn't like the results when using the converter so tended to not use it. Anyway back to the X-Series!  The 1.4x Fujinon converter was launched in 2015 and I have been a fan of this diminutive lens attachment on both the 50-140mm and 100-400mm....
Read more

Review: Little and Large - Using a Fujifilm X-T20 for Sport

-
Image
In July 2015 I posted a review of the Fujifilm X-T10 which I tested alongside my X-T1 as a lightweight alternative to the larger and more expensive camera.  So when Fujifilm announced the launch of the X-T20 I was keen to put one to the test.   I took an X-T20 along with me to the FIA World Endurance Championship event at Spa-Francorchamps and also shot the TCR International Series race during the European Le Mans Series event in Monza.  I also took a few shots with it during the recent Water Ski event at Hazelwood Ski Centre last month and these three events really put the X-T20 through its paces. Like the X-T10, the T20 is tiny compared to it's bigger brother.  Even with the battery grip removed from the T2,  the picture above shows the larger camera dwarfing the X-T20.   Now this can be seen as a good thing if you are traveling and need a lightweight camera with a big punch but when using it with long lenses such as the 50-140mm or 100-400m...
Read more

REVIEW: Using Nikon Lenses on a Fuji X Camera

-
Image
I've been using the Fujifilm X-Pro1 for the past month and I haven't enjoyed my photography so much since I bought the Fuji X100 12 months earlier.  The only issue I have with the X-Pro1 is the lack of a long telephoto lens.  The longest lens I have is the 60mm f2.4, which is the equivalent of a 90mm telephoto; it's a great lens but I sometimes wish my Fuji system had a bit more pulling power.   Fuji have provided the X system with a telephoto zoom, the 55-200mm f3.5 / f4.8 R LM OIS and I will be testing this lens next week for three days. I will be showing the results on this blog. However my Nikon kit has one of the best short telephoto zooms in the world, the Nikkor 80-200mm f2.8 AF-D.  I bought this lens brand new in 1996 for £1600.00 and it has been a faithful companion ever since. I've bought and sold plenty of SLRs / DSLRs in the past 18 years but I've never felt the need to upgrade the 80-200mm because it is still optically the best lens I own and it ha...
Read more