Transcend 16Gb Wi-Fi SDHC Class 10 Memory Card Review

Features
Performance
Verdict


The Transcend Wi-Fi SD memory card gives you the ability to add wireless connectivity to your camera. You can transfer images and videos to iOS or Android devices to instantly edit and share them. You can also access the memory card using your computer. On test here is the 16Gb version which is available for around £50, with a 32Gb version available for around £60. We have tested the card using a Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3.

Transcend Wi-Fi SDHC Class 10 Memory Card Features

• Free Wi-Fi SD app for iOS and Android devices
• Wi-Fi SD card content organised into a simple file system
• Direct Share Mode allows direct connection between card and mobile device
• Internet Mode allows the card to connect to the internet via a hotspot
• Shoot & View - images instantly appear on your mobile device when shot on your camera

Transcend Wi-Fi SDHC Class 10 Memory Card Performance

Before purchasing the card you need to check if your camera is compatible on the Transcend website. If all is good and your do purchase the card, you need to down load the free Wi-Fi SD app, which is available for both iOS and Android devices.


The card comes with a quick start guide. It is easy to set up direct share but we found the Internet Mode a little more confusing. Basically, if you have a device that can set up hotspots, you need to do so and input the log in details to the SDHC card when in direct mode. The Internet Mode then allows you to share your images to Facebook or send them via email directly from the card using your mobile device.

To switch modes you need to delete certain photos from the card, it sounds weird, but it does work. When reading the quick start guide, it's easy to get confused, so we recommend downloading the full guide.


When transferring images over the Wi-Fi, speed is quick. An image of around 3.5 MB took a few seconds to load onto the iPhone. You can then save to a folder in the app or your camera roll, ready for editing and saving. The shoot and view option is a nice extra, again with pictures taking just a few seconds to load.


We tested the card with CrystalDisk to see how fast they could read and write, then compared with the Samsung SDHC 16Gb Class 10 card we reviewed earlier in the year:

Card		Transcend		Samsung
Read		22.21 MB/s		19.92 MB/s
Write		10.74 MB/s		17.46 MB/s

The read speed is impressive at over 2 MB/s quicker than the Samsung, but is much slower at writing. The write speed is important when copying content to the cards. The write speeds are also most important when shooting on a camera and can effect continuous shooting and shot to shot time.

Value for money

You can purchase the Transcend Wi-Fi SDHC 16Gb card for around £50, with the 32Gb costing not much more than £65. Eye-Fi entered the Wi-Fi memory card market early on, their maximum card size at the moment is 16Gb, the Pro X2 model, which will cost you around £67, but do have extra features such as endless memory and Wi-Fi based geotagging. To give you an idea of how much the Wi-Fi functionality costs you, a normal Transcend 16Gb SDHC Class 10 card costs just short of £10, so you're paying around £40 for the Wi-Fi.

Transcend Wi-Fi SDHC Class 10 Memory Card Verdict

The Transcend Wi-Fi SDHC memory card offers you a way to give your camera Wi-Fi so you can edit and share pictures quickly and easily when out and about. We did struggle with some of the setup, particularly the internet mode as the instructions provided just aren't clear enough. We found the write speed to be slow but we're pleased to see it can work with iOS and Android, you can even connect via your computer. If you're happy to pay this price for the card, you might as well pay the extra £15 and get the 32Gb version - double the amount of memory, if your camera is able to use this higher capacity.

Transcend Wi-Fi SDHC Class 10 Memory Card Pros

Works with iOS and Android, as well as being able to connect using a computer
Fast read speed
32Gb version offers much better value for money
Adds Wi-Fi to many cameras
Internet mode allows you to upload pictures straight to the web

Transcend Wi-Fi SDHC Class 10 Memory Card Cons

Expensive
Slow write speed
Takes a while to learn how to use it properly

FEATURES
PERFORMANCE
VALUE FOR MONEY
OVERALL

For more information, please visit the Transcend website.