how long does it take to transfer a 32g sxs footage via the sony card reader vs. the camera

When you use the USB cardreader: it's probably just as fast, but you don't have to connect your camera or pack the camera afterwards. And you can shoot while loading files.

I use the cardreader: it's convenient, but FW800 and/or e-SATA would be nicer...

If my only two options were the card reader or straight from the camera, I'd use the card reader as well.
However, if you have a laptop computer with an expresscard 34 slot, install the SxS drivers on the computer and you will be able to transfer by putting the card directly into the expresscard slot. (When you do so, the limiting factor in transfer speed may be the connection to the destination drive.)
My fastest transfer speeds come from transferring directly to a NEXTO 2500 drive (which takes the SxS card directly.) Typical speed for my NEXTO to transfer a full 32GB SxS card is about 6 minutes.

It also depends on the speed of your computer. Like Dave, it takes me about 6-7 minutes with my mac pro or my 8 core mac tower using Sony's card reader. With my macbook, which I often use on the road, it takes closer to 18-20 minutes for the same content.

Along with the Nexto, there is the option of Sony's PHX-002 mobile storage unit also takes the card directly, uses the same batteries and power source as an EX camera and has removable drives. Either will make things move much faster and not tie up a camera or a computer and both require less power than a laptop.

Chuck - that sounds strange. The Sony reader uses USB2 and could not theoretically transfer 32 GB in 6 minutes. That would give a transfer speed of close to 85 MB/s. Typical USB2-speed is 30-50 MB/s. Correct me if I'm wrong...

I use a reader with PCI-Express-interface for my stationary PC and it gives me transfer speeds of 120-180 MB/s from SxS.

Ola,
I'll have to test that tonight. Admittedly, my figures were more gut than scientific. I had a multi-camera shoot recently were I had to download everyone's full 32g cards during the breaks and that is what I was using for my mac book time. By comparison, when I downloaded the last set at home on my mac intel, it was extremely fast. So, to me, Dave's numbers sounded about right

Hi,
Within my experience, the Nexto has been the only transfer system that pulls the data off the SxS card at the full rated 800mbps (100 MB/s).
(I haven't really done speed checks with the newer G1a cards, so not sure whether the Nexto will approach the 1200mbps that these cards are rated.)
I typically don't get particularly fast transfers from the card reader, but part of that may also be that I'm typically transferring from the card reader to a small portable usb2 drive for the client to take, so there's a bottleneck on that end of the transfer as well.
Best,
Dave S