Best Memory Cards Fujifilm X-T4 – Real Benchmarks

A detailed guide to help you choose the best memory cards for the Fujifilm X-T4 based on in-camera speed tests.

Fujifilm X-T4 – Amazon / Adorama / BHphoto

Must-Have Accessories Fujifilm X-T4

Best Memory Cards Fujifilm X-T4

Before buying a memory card for the Fujifilm X-T4 there are a few facts you should know, some of them could save you some money.

The Fujifilm X-T4 has dual UHS-II memory card slots. Unlike the X-T3, you can now backup video to both slot 1 and 2 at the same time for redundancy.

Here are some recommendations based on in-camera performance.

Fujifilm X-T4 Memory Card Recommendation List

When choosing memory cards for the Fujifilm X-T4, there are two different rates that are important, V60 and V90, both are UHS-II classed cards. You most likely will not have reliable results with UHS-I memory cards when shooting high-bitrate video.

V90 cards typically have a faster write speed which will help you clear the buffer fast after doing a long burst. Many of the V60 cards are slightly slower but are still fast enough for 4k, 400Mbps video. Since the price is lower for the slower v60 cards, video shooters may get more bang for the buck with this speed class since bigger cards will cost less.

This list shows the best memory cards and in-camera performance.

Casual shooters, or shooters using JPG with a lot of effects like clarity, will not notice the difference between the fast V90 cards and slightly slower v60 cards.

Tough SD Cards – Here Are Your Options

This list shows the tougher-built memory cards with their in-camera speeds. There are a few options besides the Sony Tough cards listed above.

Delkin has a new Black card that’s tough and Hoodman Steel reinforces their cards as well. The Hoodman cards are actually a pretty good bang for the buck but the Delkin cards are tougher.

Memory Card Speed Test | In-Camera Test Results

Each card is tested with several sets of a continuous burst on high shooting uncompressed RAW. Then the time it takes to clear the buffer is measured against the data captured.

When deciding Uncompressed for Compressed RAW, speeds will slow down a little when shooting compressed and this is because the camera processor has to do more work.

When shooting RAW+JPG write speeds usually slow down by about 20MB/s.

 Fujifilm X-T4 Memory Card Related Specs

Fujifilm X-T4 Memory Cards For 4k Video

The Fujifilm X-T4 shoots 4k video at 60p. It’s also capable of recording 10-bit at 4:2:0. 

No matter what frame rate or resolution you shoot at, you’ll only be able to record at a maximum bitrate of 400Mbps internally.

You don’t need fast memory cards for 4k video. The Fujifilm is capable of producing video at 400Mbps, however, a lot of people still bring it down to 200Mbps to get more manageable file sizes.

Even at 400Mbps you still only produce a data stream of 50MB/s. Theoretically, UHS-I cards can work for this, although I don’t recommend them since they are usually only rated at U3. You typically will want a v60 card or at least a UHS-II to make sure the card never drops its speed below 50MB/s.

So then what happens if you shoot 200Mbps? That translates to 25MB/s and in this case your totally ok to use UHS-I cards. So if you only plan on shooting 200Mbps, then feel free to buy a huge UHS-I card like the Sandisk Extreme Pro. They will work great! Just don’t buy cards bigger than 512GB since these cameras are not rated for that.

200Mbps at 10-bit 4:2:0 with H.265 is still really good and it’s a great setting for casual video or vlogging.

What Size Memory Card Do You Need?

This again depends on how you shoot. If you shoot casually, most people will be totally fine with 64GB memory cards. If you shoot RAW+JPG this will fill up your cards a little faster unless you send your JPGs to Slot 2.

If you shoot RAW+JPG to both cards, you might need a 128GB card. Again, RAW+JPG slows down camera processing and write speed usually by about 20MB/s.

Occasionally I’ll run into a situation where I shoot more than 64GB cards, this is usually big events where I shoot thousands of photos.

If you shoot with Video mixed in, you’ll probably want a 128GB card depending on how much video you shoot. You could always shoot lower bitrates for your B-Roll to help you here.

I have been slowly moving over to 128GB cards with my cameras as the prices have been coming down. I’m doing this for two reasons. One, the 128B cards are a lot cheaper now, and two, I don’t always like to clear off my cards after transferring them to my computer until they are back up to my server. So I often leave files on my cards for a few extra days for redundancy reasons, and occasionally I’ll just forget to clear off my card. So having the 128GB cards allows me to keep going longer.

Best SD Memory Cards Fujifilm X-T4 Conclusions

Fujifilm’s camera firmware is now pretty good and is very supportive of all the different memory card brands now. It was an issue when the X-T3 first came out but I’m not seeing that in their cameras anymore.

To sum it up, you have a lot of choices

If you shoot fast action high burst a lot, get a Sony G card or one of the fast UHS-II cards.

If you shoot casually just grab the V60 or the Sony M cards. That’s what I use a lot, they’re great and I usually can’t tell the difference. Again if you’re shooting JPG with advanced settings it slows the processor down anyway.

If you shoot 200Mbps video and want huge cards for cheap, UHS-I cards are a nice option.

The coolest thing now with the X-T4 is you can write video to both cards at the same time for backup.