All cameras require a memory card of some kind. While some cameras require CompactFlash memory cards, the majority of consumer-level cameras use an SD card. When choosing an SD card for your photography needs, there are three key things you need to keep in mind.
Types Of SD Cards That You Can Buy
There are four different kinds of SD cards. There’s a general SD card, then SDHC, SDXC, and SDUC. A standard SD has a capacity of up to 2GB. The SDHC can support a capacity of 2GB to 32GB. The SDXC can store files from 32GB to 1TB. And finally, the SDUC card has a capacity of up to 128TB, but these cards are not available on the market yet.
SD Card Speeds You Should Consider
When choosing SD cards for cameras, speed is an important aspect to consider. SD cards have two speeds: the read speed, and the write speed.
Pay attention to the write speed as that’s the number that is directly tied to how quickly the card can store photos and data. This is key when you’re clicking away, you don’t want your memory card lagging causing you to potentially miss the next best shot.
SD Card Sizes
You need an SD card that’s big enough to handle at least a day’s worth of photos or you’re in for a big pain. Consider what file type you’re mostly using. JPEG files are much smaller than RAW files, but some cameras have the ability to shoot in both JPEG and RAW at the same time, using up even more space.
If you’re unsure of which SD card to choose, we’ve compiled a list of the best cards available on the market today. Choose an SD card most suited for you, keeping your requirements and purpose of storage in mind.
1. Lexar Professional 667x 128GB SDXC (Best Overall SD Card)
This Lexar SDXC is the one to use if you use DSLRs and HD camcorders. If you want to capture and very quickly transfer videos and photos, this card does the job. It works at a fast speed, so time will never be an issue.
This SD card is great for storing time-lapse and slow-motion videos. Even 4K videos and 3D pictures in 1080p are not too big to store on this card. The card has a large capacity, available at up to 512GB. This means that you won’t find yourself needing to change cards in the middle of a shoot. The Lexar card can make your shoots stress free; you won’t have to worry about running out of memory anymore.
2. Gigastone MicroSD Card 32GB (Best MicroSD Card)
If you want to capture pictures and videos in a high resolution, this SD card is the best choice for you. The Gigastone MicroSD card is shockproof, waterproof, and can withstand any temperature changes. The Gigastone card is compatible with almost all DSLRs and major smartphones that allow expandable storage, such as the Samsung Galaxy series.
Gigastone SD cards even work with Macbooks and other laptops that have a card slot. Any kind of drones that people use to capture photos also supports this card. It has a read speed of up to 90MB/second, which is quite high. It comes with an SD adapter for the card slot as well.
3. Kingston Canvas Micro SDHC (Best MicroSD Card w/ Adapter)
This is another great card for people that like to shoot in HD quality. The Kingston Canvas Micro SDHC is reliable and durable. This card has a reading speed of about 80MB/second, which is great compared to other cards on the market.
If you need more storage, this card is available in sizes up to 256GB. It can also withstand extreme temperatures and has been tested in many different environments. The Kingston Canvas Micro SDHC is very cost-effective and doesn’t compromise on any features.
4. Micro Center 128GB Class 10 MicroSDXC (Lightest MicroSD Card)
This microSD card weighs only 0.32 ounces and has an impressive storage space of 128GB. This is more than enough space to store HD quality pictures and videos. This card provides great value for money, and it’s much cheaper than other cards with the same features.
This card can read data at speed up to 80MB/second and write at a speed of 15MB/second. The Micro Center SDXC card is waterproof, and shockproof so you can rely on it no matter what the environment is. The best thing about this card is that it comes with a three-year warranty as well.
5. PNY P-SDX128U395-GE Elite Performance 128GB High-Speed SDXC (Most Popular High-Speed SD Card)
This SD card has a speed of up to 95MB/second. Such a fast speed makes this card ideal for anyone who finds themselves transferring files often. The PNY SDXC card is ideal for use in DSLR cameras and camcorders thanks to its fast processing speed; those large HD files won’t slow it down!
Its speed also helps you get work done faster. If that wasn’t enough, these cards are also shockproof and can tolerate any temperature. These SD cards have a lifetime of limited warranty.
6. Samsung 128GB 100MB/s (U3) Micro SDXC (Fastest SD Card Read Speed)
The Samsung MicroSDXC card has a reading capacity of 100MB/second, the best on our list. This card also has a writing speed of 90MB/second. It is shockproof, waterproof, and temperature proof. This means the cards are very durable and reliable.
It has a ten-year limited warranty so you can invest in this item without any worry. The Samsung MicroSDXC card is ideal for 4K video recording, and for storing games and music. It’s also available in a variety of capacities, so you can choose according to your requirements.
7. SanDisk Ultra 32GB Class 10 SDHC (Fastest SDHC Card)
The SanDisk SDHC card is considerably fast when compared to the ordinary SDHC cards. You can take pictures, shoot videos, and also transfer them at an amazingly fast speed with this card. This SD card is also waterproof and temperature proof.
SanDisk SDHC cards have a warranty of 10 years. They have great compatibility with a variety of products, and they can store up to 32GB of high-quality pictures and videos.
8. Wyze Labs Expandable Storage 32GB Micro SDHC (Most Affordable SD Card))
The Wyze Micro SDHC card can read at a rate of 90MB/second and can write data at a speed of 20MB/second. This SD card is compatible with continuous recording and time-lapse videos. This card also lets you continue recording even with an interruption in the Wi-Fi.
Wyze’s card is cost-effective and will provide you with good value for money. It is compatible with Wyze cam and non-Wyze devices for local storage. For all its features, this card is a steal at its price.
Choosing the Best SD Cards
The ideal SD card will differ from person to person. It depends entirely on how you intend to use it and what you require from it. You may want a huge space to store pictures, and for that, a 32GB card will not be enough. For that case, you should go for a 256GB card, but in cases where less memory is needed, get an SD card with lesser storage.
Aim to find an SD card that you are satisfied with. Both the features of the card and the company are points to consider. However, it’s also essential to ensure that the SD card you choose is compatible with your device. Choosing a card isn’t a hard choice, and this list is a great starting choice.
