The PowerShot G9 comes with a 32MB SD card, which is enough memory for exactly one RAW picture, so you’re going to need more storage. Even if you’re not shooting RAW images, most cameras come with very little onboard memory and meager-at-best storage on an included card, so buying a beefier card for any camera is money well spent.

Even better, SanDisk’s cleverly designed SD Plus line of cards eliminates the need for a separate card reader—you can just fold the card in half to expose a USB connector that plugs directly into your Mac. Once you’re done copying the files, eject the card, flip it back into its SD shape, and pop it back into the camera.

We tested two 4GB cards: the Ultra II SDHC Plus ($59.99, www.sandisk.com) and the Extreme Ducati Edition SD Plus ($129.99), which promises faster performance. With each card installed in the PowerShot G9, we counted how many pictures we could shoot in continuous mode in 30 seconds. The Extreme Ducati Edition managed to absorb 25 percent more images—a measurable improvement, although at over twice the price of the Ultra II.

The bottom line. Both SD Plus cards stand out due to their ability to morph into a USB drive without requiring a separate card reader, and both are plenty fast for point-and-shoots. If you’re buying a card for a DSLR and you take a lot of images in a short time, consider the additional speed of the Extreme Ducati Edition.

COMPANY: SanDisk
CONTACT: www.sandisk.com
PRICE: $59.99 (4GB Ultra II SDHC Plus), $129.99 (4GB Extreme Ducati Edition SD Plus)
REQUIREMENTS: Camera that takes SD cards, USB
No card reader needed -- the card plugs directly into a free USB port. Good speeds.
Pricier than normal cards, but with added convenience.