If you're faced with copying pictures from a stack of SD/SDHC cards to a Mac or PC, and time is of the essence, this section of the CF/SD Performance Database is for you. CompactFlash card readers are covered on a separate page.

The Readers

Delkin ExpressCard 34 Multi-Card Adapter

This adapter is compatible with computers equipped with ExpressCard 34 and ExpressCard 54 slots, and accepts SD/SDHC plus certain other smaller memory card formats. Once inserted, the ExpressCard 34 Multi-Card Adapter sits flush with the slot opening, which means with some or all ExpressCard-capable laptops it can stay in there all the time. Case in point: it doesn't protrude at all from our MacBook Pro 17 inch test machine, plus it stays in place as cards are inserted and removed.

ExpressCards can be designed to communicate internally with the host via USB 2.0 or PCIe. This adapter appears to use USB 2.0, and delivers read speeds in line with that. This isn't really a hindrance, however, as the current SD/SDHC specification limits card throughput to less than USB 2.0's real world maximum.

The Delkin ExpressCard 34 Multi-Card Adapter is an all-too-rare example of an adapter-style reader that worked seamlessly and without incident during benchmarking here

Griffin Simplifi

The Griffin Simplifi combines a USB 2.0 card reader that accepts CompactFlash, SD/SDHC and various other memory card formats, a powered two-port USB 2.0 hub and iPod charging/syncing dock into one trim, well-designed desktop accessory.

It connects to the computer via a detachable cable.

Hoodman RAW UDMA USB 2.0

This CompactFlash and SD/SDHC USB 2.0 reader connects to the computer via a non-detachable cable and is nearly the same in appearance as Hoodman's RAW UDMA FireWire 800 CompactFlash reader.

(It's difficult to see in the picture at left that there is a separate SD/SDHC card slot beneath the larger CompactFlash slot.)

Kingston 19-in-1 Media Reader

Lexar Professional UDMA Dual-Slot

This CompactFlash and SD/SDHC USB 2.0 reader features a pop-up design that, when popped down, keeps its twin card slots protected. It connects to the computer via a detachable cable.

Though the Lexar's black popup section - which is the actual reader portion - and its semi-translucent frame aren't intended to be separated, it's possible to do so to save space in an overstuffed laptop bag. The hinge mechanism that holds the two together can be separated without much effort and without damaging the unit. We did this, then completed the transformation by first putting some gaffer tape to cover openings on the black section's base, followed by small grippy feet (left over from a portable hard drive kit) onto the base's four corners.

SanDisk Extreme III USB (original version)

This CompactFlash and SD/SDHC USB 2.0 reader is one of the most dependable and goof-proof readers we've ever used. Though it's a couple of years old now and not the speediest, it remains a favourite here because it just works.

SD/SDHC read speeds with this reader are effectively the same as those from numerous other older USB 2.0 SD/SDHC readers on the market, since like this one, many other brands and models were (and still are) built using reader controllers from Genesys Logic. The SanDisk Extreme III USB (original version) connects to the computer via a detachable cable.

(In mid-2008 this model was replaced in SanDisk's lineup with a CompactFlash-only reader that has a similar name and appearance, but no SD/SDHC slot.)

SanDisk ImageMate Multi-Card USB 2.0 (preproduction version)

Slated to ship in November 2008, this SD/SDHC USB 2.0 reader features a proprietary data timing mode designed expressly for faster throughput with SanDisk's Extreme III 30MB/s Edition SDHC cards. With all other brands and models of this card type, the ImageMate Multi-Card USB 2.0 operates as a standard SD/SDHC reader (it supports various other smaller card formats too).

The ImageMate Multi-Card USB 2.0 includes a removable, magnetically attached three-legged stand. It connects to the computer via a detachable cable. It's hard to tell from photos of the reader that it's exceptionally small, particularly when separated from its stand.

The unit we've tested is not final production, but is expected to be representative of the performance and compatibility of the reader that will ship to stores.

SanDisk ImageMate All-in-One USB 2.0 (preproduction version)

Also to ship in November 2008, this four-slot reader accepts CompactFlash (CF I only, which means thicker CF II cards such as the Hitachi Microdrive won't fit), SD/SDHC and numerous other memory card formats.

Unlike the ImageMate Multi-Card reader, the ImageMate All-in-One doesn't include support for the proprietary data timing mode found in SanDisk's Extreme III 30MB/s Edition SDHC. This means it doesn't deliver an extra speed boost when paired with one of these specific cards.

The ImageMate All-in-One USB 2.0 includes a removable, magnetically attached three-legged stand. It connects to the computer via a detachable cable. The unit we've tested is not final production, but is expected to be representative of the performance and compatibility of the reader that will ship to stores.

The Systems

The two test systems are:

The Results

The SD/SDHC read speed results below were generated with QuickBench 4, a cross-platform benchmarking utility we like because it produces numbers (on the Mac in particular) that equate closely to real world performance when using the operating system to copy digital SLR JPEG and RAW files from a memory card to the computer. QuickBench was set to Large Test (2-10MB), Allow Cache Effects was turned off and 3 test cycles were run. All cards were secure erased and formatted in a Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III before testing.

Use the NEXT FOUR READERS and PREVIOUS FOUR READERS links to navigate through all the reader data. The fields marked in blue represent the fastest read speed for that card. In the case of an incompatibility between card and reader, the field is marked --Error--.