i have the apacer steno - it's quite old but still good. the main problem is when using card reader to transfer from cf > 1gb it cannot complete the transfer and stop half way if using battery but once connected to power supply - it's no issue. maybe the battery getting old

anyway memory card are very cheap nowadays - just get more than enough memory to last a day and then you can recharge when back home/hotel

missing out when changing cards is not as bad as missing out while you need to clear your memory card into the OTG hd. transfer to hd is not fast like pc - also you cannot move around when transferring as the hd need to be stable when working

if you do not use rapid shots, dun need to go for high speed memory card that cost 2x or more - a mid speed is good enough. eg your pic size is 4mb, then a 500pic/day will only need 2gb card, if 10mb/pic then 4gb (2x2gb) = 400pic/day

camcorder better suited for that job

more features - zoom, antishake, powerful mic etc

camcorder take better quality video ma. some camcorders are quite compact. most digi camera cannot zoom when on video mode and low light performance not as good. just like camcorders cannot take still pics as good as digi cameras ...... if really want to be discrete - use camera handphone like n93/k800/d900 lo