Memory Stick

Memory Stick

From top to bottom: Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick Micro (M2)
Media type	Flash memory card
Capacity	128 MB (Original) 32 GB (PRO Series) 2 TB (XC Series)
Developed by	Sony
Extended to	Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo, and Memory Stick Micro

Memory Stick is a removable flash memory card format, launched by Sony in October 1998, and is also used in general to describe the whole family of Memory Sticks. In addition to the original Memory Stick, this family includes the Memory Stick PRO, a revision that allows greater maximum storage capacity and faster file transfer speeds; Memory Stick Duo, a small-form-factor version of the Memory Stick (including the PRO Duo); and the even smaller Memory Stick Micro (M2). In December 2006, Sony added the Memory Stick PRO-HG, a high speed variant of the PRO to be used in high-definition video and still cameras. Memory Stick cards can be used in Sony PSP, Sony XDCAM EX camcorders via the MEAD-SD01 adapter.SanDisk and Lexar are among few third-party Memory Stick producers. Kingston offers universal microSD to Memory Stick Pro Duo adapters, but these are unofficial.

The original Memory Stick was launched in October 1998, was available in sizes up to 128 MB, and a sub-version, Memory Stick Select allowed two banks of 128 MB selectable by a slider switch, essentially two cards squeezed into one. The largest capacity Memory Stick currently available is 64 GB. According to Sony, the Memory Stick PRO has a maximum theoretical size of 2 TB.

As of January 2010^[update], it appears that Sony is beginning to combine support for SD/SDHC and Memory Stick formats in their products. All digital cameras and camcorders announced by Sony at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show can use SD and SDHC cards as well as Memory Sticks. Furthermore, Sony is releasing its own line of SD cards. Many claim this development as the end of the format war between Memory Stick and SD card. However, Sony has not abandoned the format, and has indicated it will continue development of the format for the foreseeable future. A prime example is the development of WiFi transfers through a special Memory Stick Pro-Duo which is still in development.