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.

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