So Many Choices...

The variety of solid-state memory cards is mainly due to the manufacturer of the device they work with: Panasonic uses P2 technology while Sony has developed SxS. Digital still cameras that originated using Compact Flash (CF) cards have continued to use them for HD video storage, and the Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) cards have also diversified their usefulness.

Pick your poison... Solid-state card manufacturers tout a variety of benefits regarding their genre of media storage. For instance, whereas vibration (ie: shooting from a boat) could technically cause hard drive skipping or failure, a solid state card has no such moving parts, reducing the chance of data loss. And unlike tape-based cameras, solid state cards can be downloaded and re-used and data transfer occurs without generation loss.

However, critics of solid-state card technology have valid complaints, including the fact that erasing the master media and relying on a digital backup could prove disasterous. On large shoots, a DIT (Digital Imaging Technician) is strongly recommended to ensure that multiple backups are made of the original footage, and done so in a way that preserves a common naming and organization method for a smooth transition to post.

	P2 cameras are Panasonic's answer to solid-state recording. The cards are available in a variety of capacities, from 8GB up to 64GB. They operate using a PCMCIA interface, which some laptops come with (usually intended for use with wireless adaptor cards) but may require an Express Card input adaptor or external hard drive acquisiton device. Panasonic's P2 cameras record using DVCPRO HD, AVC-Intra 4:2:2 compression. Panasonic offers a range of P2 cameras from the high-end Varicam AJ-HPX2700 to pro-sumer models such as the AJ-HVX200.
SxS is the recording media used by Sony in their solid-state card technology. Compatible with Express Card slots on most newer laptops, Sony's SxS cards come in 8GB, 16GB and 32GB capacities. Using Sony's XDCAM EX format, cameras such as the PMW-EX3 are also compatible with SDHC to Express Card adaptors which can utilize even less expensive cards for recording.
	Compact Flash (CF) was traditionally used by still camera manufacturers, but has since found increased use due to the release of Digital SLR cameras such as the Canon 5D Mark II, which shoots Progressive HD video with amazing quality. Adaptors for these cards are readily available, and because the final format is user-friendly Quicktime, no software is required to view these files immediately in the field.
SDHC was also traditionally used as a way to store still images, and occasionally was used in the video industry as a way to store user presets. However, now in cameras such as Sony's HMC series of camcorders such as the HMC-150, the Sony XDCAM EX series camcorders (with adaptor), the incredibly small and low-cost SDHC cards are increasingly useful