Lexar Media memory card stores 45,000 JPEG images

Lexar Media Inc. has released what it claims to be the world's first 4GB CompactFlash memory card that is designed for professional photographers shooting hi-resolution images, and stores about 600 images captured in RAW mode using a 6-megapixel professional camera.

Amateur photographers shooting with lower resolution cameras could store as many as 45,000 JPEG images. The actual number of images a 4GB card can store depends on the camera quality, resolution, and image file selection mode.

The 4GB card is speed rated at 40x, which is capable of a sustained minimum write speed of 6MBps. As with all of the company's Professional Series CompactFlash, the card features Write Acceleration technology to achieve greater speeds in WA enabled cameras. An Image Rescue software is included to enable photographers to recover deleted or seemingly lost images.

The 4GB card is CompactFlash Type II and requires the host camera to support the FAT32 file system. Most digital cameras today support the FAT16 file system, but the FAT16 system only supports data up to 2GB. Compatible cameras include Canon Powershot G3, Canon Powershot G5, Canon Powershot S45, Canon Powershot S50, Canon EOS 10D, Canon EOS-1Ds, Kodak DCS 720X, Kodak 760, Kodak DCS Pro Back (all models), Kodak DCS Pro 14n, and Olympus E-1.

The 4GB card is available for $1,499.