You find the perfect subject matter, set up your gear, take time to analyze perspectives and composition options, and finally press the shutter release button — but nothing happens. The camera refuses to record the stunning shot. You can only blame the SD card, which is either full or broken. To avoid this unfortunate situation, you need one (or more) trustworthy SD card. In this article, we will cover the best SD cards for cameras, and how to choose the right one for yourself.
Important Features for SD Cards
Most photographers consider the memory card’s size when buying a new SD card. Cards with large capacities can hold more photos and videos, but they are also more expensive and don’t help to cull your files.
On the other hand, SD cards with small capacities hold less data and may run out of space at inopportune times. But they are less expensive, meaning you can buy several of them and use them to organize your photos and videos before returning to the studio. Although an SD card’s capacity is an important feature, it’s not the only one to check. Consider the following features when shopping for an SD card…
Brand
If you want a reliable SD card, look for a trustworthy brand that has proven it manufactures high-quality products. They may be more expensive than no-name memory cards, but they last longer and are least likely to break when you need them most. Some trustworthy brands include Lexar, SanDisk, ProGrade, and Sony.
Type
You may have the most expensive card featuring a large storage capacity and advanced technology. But if your camera doesn’t support it, it’s useless. SD cards may be regular-size SD cards, microSD cards, SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity), and SDXC (Secure Digital Extended Capacity).
Older camera models likely only support regular-size SD cards. Smartphones only support microSD cards. DSLRs newer than 2008 often support SDHC cards, and those newer than 2012 often support SDXC cards too.
Speed Class
Speed class refers to how fast the card can record data. Regular SD cards offer writing speeds between 2MB/s and 10MB/s. UHS (Ultra High Speed) cards go as high as 300MB/s. For 4K video recording, for example, you need at least 30MB/s consistently. Look for the V30 symbol on the card, or even better V60 or V90, if you plan on capturing video at higher resolution. The V30 symbol states that the SD card will never go below 30MB/s.
Durability
Usually, SD cards aren’t waterproof and don’t perform very well in extreme conditions, such as very hot or freezing environments. If you know you’ll take your photo gear to these extremes, look for SD cards with some sort of protection from extreme temperatures, shock, or water.
Best SD Cards for Cameras
SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO UHS-II Memory Card, 300MB/s Read, 260MB/s Write
Why We Chose This Card: It’s ultra-fast, durable, produced by a popular brand, and has plenty of storage size options.
Key Features:
- Brand: SanDisk
- Storage Size Options: 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
- Flash Memory Type: SDXC
- Max Transfer Speed: 260MB/s (write), 300MB/s (read)
SanDisk Extreme Pro V90 is an ultra-fast SDXC V90 video speed class memory card with writing speeds between 90MB/s and 260MB/s, thanks to its UHS-II bus. The high writing speed supports ultra-high resolution photography (including shooting in RAW and burst mode) and 4K, 8K, and Full HD video recording. However, to achieve the maximum transfer speed (300MB/s), you need a compatible reader able to sustain such speeds. SanDisk Extreme PRO SD UHS-II USB-C Reader is the best option, but you have to purchase it separately.
You can choose from many storage size options and rely on SanDisk’s well-known build quality since the card comes with a lifetime warranty. The 32GB card is perfect for one photoshoot, and you can keep several of them at hand. The 512GB card is large enough for a long trip with limited access to download your photos.
SanDisk Extreme Pro V90 is a very good choice for photographers who shoot in extreme environments, such as nature, wildlife, and landscape photographers. The card is shockproof, waterproof, X-ray proof, and resists extreme temperatures. Furthermore, it has a built-in write-protect switch, so make sure you switch it off when you take it out of the camera.
Lexar Professional 2000x 128GB SDXC UHS-II Memory Card
Why We Chose This Card: This card can easily manage 1080p Full-HD, 3D, and 4K videos, and is compatible with an SD UHS-II Reader for faster transfer speeds.
Key Features:
- Brand: Lexar
- Storage Size Options: 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB
- Flash Memory Type: SDXC
- Max Transfer Speed: 260MB/s (write), 300MB/s (read)
Lexar Professional 2000x is a memory card you can find in many camera kits. It is ultra-fast and perfectly able to manage high-resolution photos and 1080p Full-HD, 3D, and 4K videos. Lexar Professional 2000x is compatible with UHS-I and UHS-II devices, but also with non-UHS-I devices where it performs at Class 10 speeds. However, to ensure you benefit from the optimal transfer speed, Lexar Professional 2000x can also be used with an SD UHS-II Reader. The card-reader bundle will boost your workflow and help you spend more time taking photos than freeing space on your memory card.
Those working in extreme environments should know that the Lexar Professional 2000x operates at temperatures between 32 and 158 Degrees F (0 and 70 Degrees C). So even though it supports freezing temperatures while safely stored in the bag, it doesn’t work in extremely cold temperatures. Nonetheless, most photographers and videographers work in more comfortable conditions.
The maximum storage size option for the Lexar Professional 2000x is 256GB. If you estimate you’ll need more than that in one photo session, bring a second SD card. Alternatively, you can keep several ones with a smaller capacity (e.g., 128GB) at hand.
PNY Technologies X-PRO 90 256GB Class 10 U3 V90 UHS-II SDXC Flash Memory Card
Why We Chose This Card: It’s perfect for shooting ultra-high-resolution photos and 8K video recordings.
Key Features:
- Brand: PNY
- Storage Size Options: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB
- Flash Memory Type: SDXC
- Max Transfer Speed: 280MB/s (write), 300MB/s (read)
When it comes to speed, the PNY X-PRO 90 is one of the fastest. It features Speed Class 10, U3, and V90 and works very well with 8K and 4K Ultra HD, Full HD, and HD-enabled devices. Its maximum writing speed of 280MB/s ensures high-resolution content, such as HD photos in burst mode and uninterrupted 8K Ultra HD Video at 7680 x 4320. The minimum transfer speed is 90MB/s.
PNY X-PRO 90 is compatible with DSLR and mirrorless cameras and professional video cameras that support UHS-II. It also supports older models that only know UHS-I. If you want to benefit from its maximum 300MB/s reading speed, you need a dedicated reader (not included).
The available storage size options are in the mid-range, with a maximum of 256GB so, for videography, a second memory card may be necessary. PNY offers a lifetime warranty for this product and outlines that the card resists magnets, temperatures, shocks, and water. Like other SD cards in the same market range, the PNY X-PRO 90 has a locking/unlocking switch for protection when not in use.
Prograde Digital 128GB SDXC UHS-II U3 Class 10 V90 Cobalt Memory Card
Why We Chose This Card: It offers the ideal package – ultra-fast speeds, large capacity, a unique protection method against counterfeit, recovery software, and more.
Key Features:
- Brand: ProGrade
- Storage Size Options: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
- Package Count Options: Single pack, Two pack
- Flash Memory Type: SDXC
- Max Transfer Speed: 250MB/s (write), 300MB/s (read)
As a professional who’s always capturing crystal clear photos or 4K videos, transfer speed is your utmost priority. The ProGrade Digital SDXC UHS-II V90 SD card can keep up with you with its 250MB/s write speeds and 300MB/s read speeds, so no more waiting for hours for files to save and more time in perfecting the shot or clip in post. Sweet!
It’s available in capacities of up to 512GB, blessing you with the privilege of not constantly swapping out cards or running out of space in the middle of a fast-paced shoot. This SD card is a perfect match for cameras that can handle long video shoots, grueling photo sessions, or travel photography where you might not have direct access to your computer.
Just like transfer speed is your highest priority, you are ProGrade’s highest priority. Because of this, they’ve developed the UHS-II V90 SD card to be compatible with Recovery Pro software, so you don’t have to fret about accidentally deleting that one good picture or losing it to file corruption.
Sony SF-G Series Tough 128GB UHS-II SDXC
Why We Chose This Card: It’s designed for professionals who shoot in extreme conditions – durable, has great bend resistance, and supports V90 video speed class.
Key Features:
- Brand: Sony
- Storage Size Options: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
- Flash Memory Type: SDHC
- Max Transfer Speed: 299MB/s (write), 300MB/s (read)
Sony engineered TOUGH SD cards for – you guessed it – tough conditions. This SF UHS-II memory card is IP68-rated, meaning it can handle every piece of dust, dirt, and drop of water that your location could throw at it. The body of the UHS-II memory card is 18 times more bend-resistant than other standard cards. Yup, it’s giving powerhouse!
Anxious about transferring high-resolution photos and 4K videos? Well, with the Sony SF UHS-II, you can transfer them over with zero lag, thanks to the card’s read speed of up to 300MB/s and write speed of up to 299 MB/s.
Be calm and reassured with its strong components and built-in protection against X-rays and magnetic fields. Keep your card in its best shape with the SD Scan Utility. Looking for an SD card for a camera that can recover deleted files? The SF-G TOUGH UHS-II memory card has your back there, too, with its File Rescue software.
Conclusion
Maybe the SD card is the last accessory you think of, but it’s nonetheless a very important one. A memory card malfunction can erase a few days’ work of irreplaceable photos and videos. An undersized capacity or a slow transfer speed may limit your artistic possibilities and interfere with your workflow. A card that doesn’t operate in freezing temperatures may keep you from photographing the Northern Lights. So don’t take unnecessary risks and choose a reliable SD card for your camera.
FAQs
Well, it depends on what camera you have or what type of photography you’re into. If you only want to take JPEG, then yes – you don’t have to worry too much. Using a basic SD card, such as a Class 10 SHDC with a capacity of 8GB or 32GB, is completely fine.
It definitely is a good starting point. However, before you buy an SD card, think about factors such as the resolution of your pictures because a higher resolution means bigger file sizes.
Always check the camera’s manual first. In case you can’t find the manual, go to the camera brand’s website. Secondly, verify that your SD card meets the necessary speed class your camera needs to avoid any issues with your photos.
Nope. The quality of your photos is up to your camera’s sensor, lens, and internal capabilities. However, an SD card’s speed and reliability can impact camera performance: a slow or faulty card might cause slow image saving, loss of data, or file corruption.
It depends on your camera’s resolution followed by shooting style (are you a one-shot-every-three-second or one-shot-every-1-2-minutes type of person?). For casual photographers, the safe range would be 8GB to 32GB, as long as you’re constantly uploading the pictures to a device so you can reuse the SD card. But if you’re a photographer who plans to shoot high-resolution photos, RAW images, and 4K videos, consider a larger card, maybe 64GB or 256GB.
