Large memory cards most popular

Smaller memory cards, 256MB or less, are most likely to be purchased at camera stores or at discount stores and office supply stores. Larger cards, such as the 4GB and 8GB models, are most likely to be purchased over the internet or at electronic/video stores. Sixty percent of units owned by U.S. households in 2008 are SD or MultiMediaCard, up steadily each year since 2003. Mini/Micro SD and xD-Picture Cards also gained share whereas the memory stick, CompactFlash Type I and II, and SmartMedia lost share in the mix. The average U.S. household owns 1.2 memory cards. Those owning Mini/Micro SD, Memory Sticks and Compact Flash Type I and II own more units on average than those owning other types of memory devices. On average, memory cards are most expensive when purchased from a camera store or a one-hour photo lab and they are least expensive when purchased from a computer store or office supply store. The 1GB and 2GB cards run lower in price than the smaller memory cards as well as price per MB declines as the cards get larger.