Quote - Does anyone have any experience with these types of cards and have any first-hand experience to relate? Was it worth the extra money for a card that was a little faster?

I've only got two ordinary 256MB xDs, but... Can 8080 go any faster than those 1.6 fps for HQ JPEGs? If you had an E-500 with its ability to shoot until you fill up the card, I think it would be worth it. This way, I'm not certain. As to the CF, I've had two 1GB no-name (comparatively) cheapo CFs for a year and a half. Absolutely no problems with 5050, E-300, E-500 or E-330. I think that compatibility issues might start with the capacities above 2GB, because, IIRC, it was only with E-300 that Olympus introduced FAT32 and the ability to go above the 2GB limit. Also IIRC, some of the Lexar's Type III (?) and later high speed cards will definitely have problems.

-- erlik