Fast USB Digital Camera Card Readers

Digital cameras can generate large files especially when shooting in raw format, but how to get those images onto the computer?

Connecting the camera is often awkward and they are usually terribly slow via a USB2 port. The last thing I want to do after shooting all day is to wait for 20 gigabytes to download over USB2, so a fast USB3 digital camera card reader is essential for efficient for downloading gigabytes of the raw files that I shoot.

These card readers have proven themselves over an extended period in the professional photography at diglloyd.com.

Lexar Professional USB 3.0 Dual-Slot Reader UDMA 7

This is a another good choice reader to what diglloyd.com uses in the field. It is not quite as sturdy as the Hoodman unit, but it has performed well.

Reads both CompactFlash and SDXC/SDHC/SD cards.

Update: 11 May 2015: this reader has worked perfectly with the Lexar 128GB card.

About $39 (be sure to get the UHS II version, model number LRW400CRBNA is faster than its predecessor with some cards). See the speed difference: Lexar Professional 2000X 64GB SDXC Camera Storage Card.

Lexar Professional USB 3.0 Dual-Slot Reader (UDMA 7)

Hoodman USB3 dual-slot card reader

This rugged unit is what diglloyd.com uses in the field.

With fast cards like the Toshiba Exceria Pro, downloads to the computer of up to 150 MB/sec are achieved. Speed is limited by maximum speed of the Compact Flash or SDXC card; slower cards will transfer at their potential speed.

Reads both CompactFlash and SDXC/SDHC/SD cards.

About $48.

Hoodman USB 3 card reader