Sony DSC-W300 and Fake Memory Sticks
A while back I posted about how I purchased the Sony DSC-W300 from a store in Muthana Complex and how I got a free memory stick with it. Well I don’t know how many readers went and purchased the camera from that store (I know of at least 3) but I just wanted to inform you that there is a very high chance that you ended up with a fake memory stick just like I did.
I first noticed a problem when some photos were turning up distorted. At first I thought it was a defect from the camera and was going to return it for another one when I realized the memory stick was a fake. Here is a link with details on how you can tell its a fake, I found out mine was a fake from the way the packet was sealed.
Anyway another thing you should know is that the camera shutdown speed is effected by the type of memory card in the camera. The shutdown speed is calculated from the moment you press the off button till the lens retracts. I did a test using three different memory cards and here are the results:
Sony 2GB Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
First try: 1.62
Second try: 1.68
Third try: 1.65
Average is 1.65 seconds to shutdown.
SanDisk 1 GB Ultra II Memory Stick
First try: 2.61
Second try: 2.5
Third try: 2.54
Average is 2.55 seconds to shutdown.
Fake Sony 1GB Memory Stick Duo
First try: 5.25
Second try: 4.67
Third try: 4.92
Average is 4.94 seconds to shutdown.
So if you purchased your camera from Digital World in Muthana Complex and you got a free memory stick my advice is to throw it away and get an original one. Other than the high risk that you might lose an important photo the performance of the camera also suffers greatly.
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23 Comments, add your own...
1. EeLAaA | July 12th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
thanx for the heads up! really helpful.
2. EeLAaA | July 12th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
thanx for the heads up! really helpful.
3. crocko rock | July 12th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
This is an utter disgrace, and these crooks should be identified and reported.
Mark, there was a report issued recently about fakes in Kuwait, and customers were urged to report the issues.
Maybe a call to Sony would be a good first step, they’ll be able to guide you on whom to contact.
4. Mark | July 12th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
If I had paid for the memory stick I would have made a bigger deal but since it was free I like let it go a bit. But maybe someone from Sony will read this post and they can act on it.
5. crocko rock | July 12th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
It’s not about paying for it, it’s the principal! This thief is likely selling those to unsuspecting consumers, perhaps some of them may not be as tech savy as you, and will get conned out of their money.
6. HeartBeat | July 12th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Most probably even the seller doesnt know anything about this!
7. Stafa | July 12th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
dude, nothing is free, it’s called hidden charges, its a method of promoting a product….,
8. Mark | July 12th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Its free if you don’t pay for it.
9. TanGo | July 12th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Mark, how do you measure the shutdown speed, briefly please
10. Mark | July 12th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
You press the off button and the start the stop watch and when the lens fully retracts you click stop.
11. Baziz | July 12th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Rehab complex is infested with these fake ones. Not to mention, most store owners have no idea as well.
Great post mark
12. hohooo | July 12th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
are you sure that the distorted photos is form the stick?
i really doubt that even if its fake you most likely won’t get that things and i think its from the camera.
13. Mark | July 12th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Yes its from the memory stick. once I swapped memory sticks the problem stopped occurring.
14. moayad | July 12th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
There is another way to tell if your Memory Stick is a fake Sony. You will need a Sony PSP to test your Memory Stick on it.
Put the MS in the PSP and go to:
Photo > Memory Stick
While “Memory Stick” is highlighted press “Triangle” then chose Information. If it says:
MagicGate Unknown
Then it’s fake.
15. Q80Warlock | July 12th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Most of the memory sticks here are Chinese fakes, with Memory Stick Duo you can check it up with software or PSP (exactly as Moayad said).
16. Armani Exchanger | July 12th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
i followed your lead and purchase it and got the 2GB SONY memory stick. It turns out that it was original weeeh… i feel so relief now ….man i was so afraid of getting the fake one. and i haven’t face any problems with take pictures and stuff. Sorry to hear that you got a fake one put as you said it’s free and thanks God you notice it now not later. Thank you so much for letting us know.
17. salem | July 12th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
hi mark, i bought the same camera like you, so do u suggest me to go to alghanim and buy an original memory ?
18. Mark | July 12th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
well the Pro-HG Duo memory stick i got has been amazing, extremely fast as you can see above
19. salem | July 13th, 2008 at 12:56 am
and from where you bought it? and how much does it cost ?
20. Mark | July 13th, 2008 at 8:21 am
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000U6ZFEK/2406d-20
21. holla | July 13th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Yeah fake flash memory is a real problem in kuwait. The fakes are really hard to distinguish from the real thing esp if you just want to buy it in the store and can’t check on the PSP or internet or whatever.
22. rejoys | July 18th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
i think its a good camera
23. beco | July 30th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
fake memory card causes “file errors” all the time and defective photos too. thank you for this useful information.
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