Difference between Micro SD and SD cards?

[sauro]

I want to get some SD memory cards for my point and shoot camera, for when
my other SD cards got full when I was away from home. Additionally, I want
a spare *Micro* SD card for my phone.

Are Micro SD and SD cards identical except for size or are there
significant differences?

Am I more likely to hit problems like reliability if I use a Micro SD card
inside an adaptor?

Are Micro SD cards noticeably slower than SD cards of the same price?

 

[John Doe]

You are welcome to ask here IMO, but you might find the most
experts on SD memory cards in this big group...
rec.photo.digital

 

[Charlie Hoffpauir]

I want to get some SD memory cards for my point and shoot camera, for when
my other SD cards got full when I was away from home. Additionally, I want
a spare *Micro* SD card for my phone.

Are Micro SD and SD cards identical except for size or are there
significant differences?

Am I more likely to hit problems like reliability if I use a Micro SD card
inside an adaptor?

Are Micro SD cards noticeably slower than SD cards of the same price?

I think "most" adapters should be OK, however, I recently bought a
pair of Micro SD cards for my Garmin GPS. They came with an adapter,
and the adapter simply doesn't work. The cards are fine, and work fine
with the GPS, but since I really don't need to use them in a camera or
anything else, I didn't bother about trying to exchange the adapter.
FWIW, the brand is Kingston. Also, speed isn't a factor for me, so I
can't comment on that.