Storage time, CF card v. Microdrive

Triggered by comments posted in DPReview, I tested my D30 for time required to store pics. I compared a 340MB MD (original type, apparently) with Canon's 16MB CF card provided with the D30. (I'm sure this is NOT the fastest CF card around, but read on.) I measured from the push of the the 2nd half of the shutter release to the extinguishing of the drive-access light.

My D30 will take 38 consecutive pics in burst drive at small/normal quality setting before pausing because the buffer is full. The MD completes the process of storing these 38 pics in 38% less time than the CF card. Specically, the MD requires 39 seconds from the time I push the shutter release, where the CF card takes 63 seconds.

Rob's data published in 'Selecting a Compactflash card for a professional digital camera' are consistent with my results.