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SDHC Technology

What is SDHC?

The SD High Capacity (SDHC) card, is the new SD™ memory cards based on the SDA 2.00 specification, introduced by the SD Card Association. This new SDA 2.00 specification enables SD cards to reach higher capacities: 4GB - 32GB*.


Because SDHC is recognized by new SDHC host device differently than standard SD card, they are not backwards compatible with legacy SD format host devices. Standard SD cards are forward compatible with new SDHC host devices.

Legacy SD host devices and SD cards (up to 2GB) are FAT 16 file system compatible, while the new SDA version 2.00 file system specification defines a SD FAT 32 file system for the new SDHC host devices and cards.

Be aware of non-SDA 2.00 specification compliant SD 4GB, miniSD 4GB, and microSD 4GB cards on the market. If these non-compliant SD 4GB cards record data in a SDHC host, and are then used in a legacy SD host, issues and problems may occur. File system incompatibility, data corruption, and potentially you may actually lose the data/pictures. In addition, if these non-compliant SD 4GB cards are inserted into a legacy SDhost device, the host device may not recognize/utilize the card as 4GB, and it instead may read as a 2GB card. If the SD 4GB card does not have SDHC on it, it is not SD 2.00 compliant.


More SDHC compatible devices are expected to be available in 2007. To ensure compatibility, look for the SDHC logo on cards and host devices (cameras, camcorders, etc.)

Helpful Tips when buying 4GB SDHC cards
1. Please check if your host device accepts SDHC cards
a. SDHC logo may appear on packaging or manual
b. Contact the host device manufacturer
c. Check SanDisk’s website for known SDHC compatible host devices
http://www.sandisk.com/sdhc

2. Look for SDHC logo on card and packaging itself
a. 4GB SD cards without SDHC logo are non-compliant with the SDA 2.00 specification.

Source: SanDisk