SanDisk unveiled a 4GB SDHC card and an 8GB Memory Stick Pro Duo card for its SanDisk Ultra II line at the IFA show in Berlin last week.

"With video recording becoming a standard feature on digital still cameras, memory cards need more capacity and speed to capture high-quality photos and video," said Susan Park, senior product marketing manger for SanDisk's Ultra II range.

Both cards offer read and write speeds of 10Mbps, reducing the waiting time between camera shots and the download time when transferring photos and video to a computer.

"High-resolution digital still cameras and high-definition video camcorders using Flash memory are changing the way people capture their memories," added Ron Glaz, programme director for digital capture devices and photofinishing research at IDC.

"But the extra clarity and detail of these images require significant increases in the speed and storage of Flash memory, creating demand for capacities such as 4GB and 8GB that would have seemed outlandish a few years ago."

The SDHC Plus card also offers SD and USB functionality in one card. The card hinges in the centre exposing a USB connector, eliminating the need to carry cables or card readers to transfer photos and videos from cameras or camcorders.

Worldwide availability for both cards is scheduled for October. The 4GB SDHC Plus will be sold in the US for around $80, and the 8GB Memory Stick Pro Duo for around $160.