The Sony FX30 has the same Dual Slot CFexpress Type A and UHS-II configuration found in many of the high-end Sony cameras like the Sony FX3. Picking the right memory card is a little tricky but this guide will help you find the best memory card for the Sony FX30.
Recommended SD Cards For Sony FX30
The V90 UHS-II cards are the best high-speed memory cards for the Sony FX30. They’re ideal for shooting at higher bitrates, like 600Mbps with XAVC S-I, or for smooth S&Q slow-motion recording.Â
When you’re dealing with bitrates of 480Mbps or lower, the V60 cards do the job just fine and offer some significant cost savings, and these are going to be your best budget memory cards for the Sony FX30.
This is especially nice since Sony’s efficient H.265 codec is labeled XAVC HS which records are 200Mbps – likely how most people are going to be recording as it’s a more efficient codec.
If you’re a blogger or podcaster and want to use a lower bitrate under 240Mbps, you can even get away with using UHS-I U3 cards.
Below, you’ll find recommendations for the best SD cards for the Sony FX30.
UHS-II V90 Sony Tough cards are probably the way to go for most people as they will allow you to record in all the different modes. Although I have had trouble with V90 cards using 600Mbps S&Q recordings with other Sony cameras in the past and needed CFxA cards.
Choose M V60 if you plan on recording with one of the lower bitrate encodings. CFxA cards have come down in price so be sure to look for any deals on those.
Recommended For Sony | Rated Sustained | USB Write | USB Read | Tested Sustain | Check Stores | ||
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Check out the Memory Cards For Sony A7sIII to get an idea of how these various cards perform in-camera. Since the Sony FX3 and FX30 cannot burst shoot RAW stills I cannot benchmark them, but I did at least try.
Sony FX30 Memory Card Capacity
What’s the largest SD card I can use with the Sony FX30?
Sony doesn’t specify a maximum size for SD cards with the FX30. However, newer Sony cameras typically handle cards up to 2TB without issues.
Sony FX30 Camera Specs
Sensor Size: 26.1MP APS-C BSI CMOS Sensor |
Sony FX30 What Size Card To Buy?
If you’re all about videography, I’d suggest starting with a 128GB card at the least. But the actual size you need relies heavily on your chosen bitrate. For instance, shooting at 600Mbps would require a larger card.
A 600Mbps card writes at 75MB per second, which translates to just 28 minutes of recording time on a 128GB card, whereas 100Mbps can record for around 171 minutes on a 128GB card.
Sony FX30 Recording Specs & Details
Using these bitrates and specs should help you find the best memory cards for 4K recording on Sony FX30. If you’re recording in lower bitrates you can use a slower card with some better cost savings.
Record Limit: Unlimited
Audio File Format: AAC, Linear PCM
4k Recording Modes |
Also, check out the top accessories for the Sony FX30
Sony FX30 Record Times – Memory Card Capacity
Check out this table for an overview of the different recording durations at varying bitrates, or using the bitrate-to-time converter.
Sony FX30 Record Times | 64GB | 80GB | 128GB | 160GB | 256GB | 512GB |
4k | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â |
4k 600Mbps | 75MB/s H.264 | 14min | 18min | 28Min | 36min | 57min | 114min |
4k 280Mbps | 35MB/s H.265 | 30min | 38min | 61min | 76min | 122min | 244min |
4k 200Mbps | 25MB/s | 43min | 53min | 85min | 107min | 171min | 341min |
Best SD Cards Sony FX30 | Conclusions
how to choose the right memory card for Sony FX30.
The Sony FX30, when paired with the right memory cards (either CFxA or UHS-II SD), can unlock some impressive high-end video capabilities. Reliable 128GB-1TB UHS-II SD cards from brands like Sony, Lexar, and Delkin work seamlessly with the FX30.
Just remember, you’ll only need a faster card than V60 if you’re working with the XAVC S-I encodings, or utilizing the S&Q slow-motion features. For everyday videography or XAVC HS, opting for V60 cards can save you some cash, but there could be limitations with specific video features on the camera.
And if you’re dealing with really low bitrates, like for vlogging or podcasting, UHS-I cards can offer even more budget-friendly options.
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