totally agree. I mean really - ANOTHER card format? Getting to be like Apple - every new device has a new port/plug/charger - $$$$ and lots to add to land fill.
I don't understand why one would throw away money on something they don't need and get no tangible benefit from (even 25% of 200 shots is 50 shots which is enough for any situation I might run into). It's equivalent to drawing 1500€ from the ATM and just setting the notes on fire. My CF cards are already plenty fast enough for my needs and they work on my other cameras which I also need when shooting an event. Also there is the matter of supporting reasonable efforts in standardization. XQD has negligible market share and the companies who use it don't seem very committed to it since they don't use it across the lineup even in cameras that would benefit from the specifications. Also, Canon, Sandisk etc. do not have any XQD products which is enough to bury the others' half-hearted efforts.
Nothing loses value quite as fast as memory cards. When I got my first digital SLR, I paid 300€ per 1GB for memory cards. They were fast for their time.
Now, if you need the D5 for its speed and intend to use the 200-image buffer, it makes perfect sense to get the XQD version and however much fast storage you need. It may make sense for resale value purposes in either case. However, in my opinion memory card formats should be standardized across the industry this is the only way to get reasonable prices.
So that there is no misunderstanding, I have nothing against XQD but my complaint is about the lack of proper standardization.
The XQD cards have been introduced with the D4 so it's not really that new.
And even then, Nikon offered two different slots, the other being for CF cards.
I am all in for standardization and it seems that CF cards are becoming the past and that XQD are the future.
I see a D5 as a no compromise camera, only the best features and best specs, hence XQD cards.
My initial point was, if you can afford a D5, you should be able to afford new memory cards.
If you want to drive a W12 engine car you should be able to afford the fuel costs.
If you don't need the speed of the D5, do you really need a D5 then?
I don't need a W12 engine car, but a V8 will do me just nicely
Never have there been so many good cameras out there from all brands.