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Tested Working Media – Updated 22nd August 2010

MXM Update on new Sony firmware – EX1 (1.20), EX3 (1.10), EX1R (1.10) and PMW350 (1.10)

With Sony’s recent release of new firmware, the compatibility of SDHC memory cards available on the market, has radically increased. We have conducted several tests on SDHC memory cards over a period of time, using various brands:

  • MxML and Hoodman’s SxSxSDHC adapter will work with the majority of brands of SDHC memory cards available on the market. Brands which previously would not be formatted and recognised by the Sony camera or produce media errors, eg Patriot class 6, 16GB, 32GB are now working flawlessly.
  • Reformatting on 32GB has been improved. The reinserting for consecutive formatting is no longer required on the majority of brands.
  • The media error has been greatly reduced in some cases virtually eliminated.
  • S&Q recording has been vastly improved and is now is fully achievable to over crank to 60fps anything from 10mins to ∞ on selected SDHC memory cards.
  • A loss of duration is associated with the new firmware. On 16GB approximately 2 minutes, and on 32GB approximately 4 minutes.


So brand availability of memory cards is far greater now than ever before. We at MxM believe that our MxML and Hoodman’s SxSxSDHC adapter, through Sony’s firmware upgrade works even better and the test results in S&Q recording are vastly improved – depending upon the brand and speed of memory card used.

It is safe to say that class 10 memory card will give you the greatest S&Q recording compared to class 6 which still gives you very good results, and even certain class 4 memory cards can achieve great S&Q recording. We will be keeping an eye on new developments and we found that sticking to the golden rule of what you pay for is what you get, will prevent any problems or loss of your very important work.

Test Results – (Updated 22nd August 2010)
Tested memory cards working with Sony’s latest firmware upgrade.

  • ATP Pro Max Class 6 & Class 10 16GB & 32GB
  • Hoodman RAW Class 6 & Class 10 16GB & 32GB
  • SanDisk Extreme Class 10 16GB & 32GB
  • SanDisk Extreme 16GB & 32GB
  • Patriot LX Class 6 & Class 10 16GB & 32GB
  • Team Class 10 16GB & 32GB
  • Pretec Class 10 16GB & 32GB
  • Silicon Power Class 6 & Class 10 16GB & 32GB
  • Transcend Class 10 16GB
  • Transcend Class 6 16GB & 32GB
  • Photofast Class 10 16GB
  • Panasonic Class 10 16GB & 32GB

Note, durability and built quality is very important and should be paramount in your choice of media.

SDCH memory cards are available in different price and quality ranges:

  • professional grade memory cards – durability, consistent manufacturing and the built quality;
  • consumer grade – works very well but the durability is unknown;
  • low economy memory cards – works, need to be very careful; and
  • cheap memory cards (bargains) which have also been tested to work and fail immediately.


It is very important to note that the responsibility remains on the end user in selecting the appropriate and suitable memory card for a successful outcome of your production.

The below test results are only applicable to Sony’s EX1 and EX3 prior to release of firmware version 1.20 and 1.10.

Speed testing is done with Crystal Disk mark 2 & 3.  The figures below are an approximation, and governed by the speed of your device.

16GB memory cards – Updated 28th Feb 2010

  1. ATP Pro-Max 16GB class 6 for Professional use
    • Pros: This is memory for use in a professional environment due to the high quality and consistency in manufacturing, by utilising the best memory and memory chip set controller in the market. Full over cranking can be achieved on the EX1R.
    • Limitations: Over cranking on EX1/EX3 limited to 48f/s. 
    • Speed: Read: 21MB/s.  Write: 11-13MB/s. Recording time: 57mins
    • Time taken from red (record mode) to change to green (ready to record mode): 3-4 sec

  2. Hoodman RAW 16GB class 6
    • Pros: Reliable, robust, designed for professional use.  Full over cranking can be achieved on the EX1R.
    • Limitations: Over cranking on EX1/EX3 limited to 45f/s. 
    • Speed: Read: 21MB/s.  Write: 13.5-14MB/s. Recording time: 57mins
    • Time taken from red (record mode) to change to green (ready to record mode): 3-4 sec

  3. SanDisk Extreme (III) Class 10 – Professional Level SDHC Memory Card
    • Pros: Premium priced memory card, designed and built for professionals who require robust memory cards.  Full over cranking can be achieved on the EX1R.
    • Limitations: Over cranking on EX1/EX3 limited to 52f/s. 
    • Speed: Read: 21MB/s.  Write: 17.45-19MB/s. Recording time: 56mins
    • Time taken from red (record mode) to change to green (ready to record mode): 3-4 sec

  4. Transcend 16GB class 10
    • Purchased from Hong Kong via Ebay seller in February 2010.
    • Pros: Newest memory card from Transcend. The built quality is very good. Very fast in read & write. Not much more expensive than the original class 6.
    • Limitations: Produces occasional media error, but it settles itself after a few recordings.  Over cranking on EX1/EX3 limited to 45-46f/s. Still a consumer grade memory card. Does not work very well on the first generation MxR & MxM.
    • Speed: Read: 20.5MB/s.  Write: 19.5MB/s. Recording time: 57mins
    • Time taken from red (record mode) to change to green (ready to record mode): 3-4 sec
    • Over cranking on EX1-R unknown.

  5. Transcend 16GB class 6
    • Pros: Budget built memory card.  It has been extensively tested without any major issues.
    • Limitations: Inconsistency in manufacturing.  The different batches of manufacturing can produce various results.  This card is less tolerant to user error and mishandling.  Over cranking on EX1/EX3 limited to 42f/s.
    • Speed: Read: 16.5MB/s.  Write: 10.5-11MB/s. Recording time: 57mins
    • Time taken from red (record mode) to change to green (ready to record mode): 6-7 sec

  6. Transcend 16GB class 6

    • Purchased in the UK in February. Tested in February 2010.
    • Limitations: Produced media error, regardless what brand or IC used on adapter. Not suitable for sustained recording on EX1/EX3/EX1-R.
    • Speed: Read: 16.5MB/s.  Write: 8.9MB/s. Recording time: 57mins
    • Time taken from red (record mode) to change to green (ready to record mode): 8-10 sec

  7. SanDisk 16GB Ultra II class 4
    • Pros: Budget built memory card.  Very popular amongst EX1/EX3/EX1R/PMW-350 users.  Full over cranking can be achieved on the EX1R.
    • Limitations: It has been noted that manufacturing standards can vary and can sometimes produce unexpected results.  This card is less tolerant to user error and mishandling.  Over cranking on EX1/EX3 limited to 42f/s.
    • Speed: Read: 20-21MB/s.  Write: 11.8-13MB/s. Recording time: 56mins
    • Time taken from red (record mode) to change to green (ready to record mode): 4-5 sec

  8. SanDisk 16GB HD 120mins
    • Pros: Budget built memory card.  Very popular amongst EX1/EX3/EX1R/PMW-350 users.  Full over cranking can be achieved on the EX1R.
    • Limitations: It has been noted that manufacturing standards can vary and can sometimes produce unexpected results.  This card is less tolerant to user error and mishandling.  Over cranking on EX1/EX3 limited to 45f/s.
    • Speed: Read: 19.5MB/s.  Write: 11.9MB/s. Recording time: 56mins
    • Time taken from red (record mode) to change to green (ready to record mode): 4-5 sec

  9. Silicon Power 16GB Class 6
    • Pros: Works well with the MxM.
    • Limitations: Unknown durability. Over cranking on EX1/EX3 limited to 42f/s
    • Speed: Read: 20MB/s.  Write 11.5MB/s. Recording time: 57mins
    • Time taken from red (record mode) to change to green (ready to record mode): 8-9 sec

32GB memory cards – Updated 28th Feb 2010

Speed testing is done with Crystal Disk mark 2 & 3.  The figures below are an approximation, and governed by the speed of your device.

  1. ATP ProMax 150X 32GB Class 6 for Professional Use
    • Pros: For professional use due to its high durability, reliability and manufacturing standard. Full over cranking can be achieved on the EX1R.
    • Limitations: Over cranking on EX1/EX3 limited to 45f/s
    • Speed: Read: 20MB/s.  Write: 11.5-12.5MB/s. Recording time: 119mins
    • Time taken from red (record mode) to change to green (ready to record mode): 3-4 sec

  2. SanDisk Extreme Class 10
    • Pros: Premium priced memory card, designed and built for professionals who require robust memory cards.  Full over cranking can be achieved on the EX1R.
    • Limitations: Over cranking on EX1/EX3 limited to 52f/s. 
    • Speed: Read: 21MB/s.  Write: 19.5MB/s. Recording time: 115mins
    • Time taken from red (record mode) to change to green (ready to record mode): 3-4 sec

  3. Sandisk 32GB Ultra II Class 4
    • Pros: Budget built memory card.  Very popular amongst EX1/EX3/EX1R/PMW-350 users.  Full over cranking can be achieved on the EX1R.
    • Limitations: It has been noted that manufacturing standards can vary and can sometimes produce unexpected results.  This card is less tolerant to user error and mishandling.  Over cranking on EX1/EX3 limited to 45f/s.
    • Speed: Read: 19.5-20.5MB/s.  Write: 11.5-12MB/s. Recording time: 115mins
    • Time taken from red (record mode) to change to green (ready to record mode): 4-5 sec

  4. Transcend 32GB class 6
    • Pros: Budget built memory card.  It has been extensively tested without any major issues.
    • Limitations: Inconsistency in manufacturing.  The different batches of manufacturing can produce various results.  This card is less tolerant to user error and mishandling.  Over cranking on EX1/EX3 limited to 40f/s.
    • Speed: Read: 16.5MB/s.  Write: 11MB/s. Recording time: 117mins
    • Time taken from red (record mode) to change to green (ready to record mode): 6-7 sec

  5. Silicon Power 32GB Class 6
    • Pros: Works well with the MxM.
    • Limitations: Unknown durability.  Over cranking on EX1/EX3 limited to 43f/s.
    • Speed: Read: 21MB/s.  Write 11.9MB/s. Recording time: 119mins
    • Time taken from red (record mode) to change to green (ready to record mode): 8-9 sec

Failed tested memory – (tested March 2009)

    • Samsung 16GB;
    • Patriot 32GB Class 4;
    • Toshiba 16GB; and
    • Adata 16GB.