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Best SD Memory Cards – Real Benchmarks

  • February 26, 2023
  • AGriffin

If you’re looking to get the best performance and reliability out of your camera, then you need the right memory card. To help you find the best SD Memory Cards For Cameras, we’ve put together comparisons with speed tests of the most popular models on the market. With this data, you can choose which card best suits your device for reliable and fast photo and video capture!

 

Fastest SD Memory Cards

For USB performance testing, the chart shows the results of AJA System Test benchmarking utilizing a UHS-II Prograde USB-C memory card reader with a 2018 Macbook Pro.

You can sort these results according to speed or class, allowing you to easily identify the fastest and slowest SD memory card for your needs. Keep in mind that actual speeds may vary slightly depending on the type of reader used.

Memory CardsUSB WriteUSB ReadCFxB HideCFxA HideHideAmazonAdoramaB&HLinks
CFx-BX
Lexar 512 Pro Diamond10111024XB&H
Lexar 128/256/GB Diamond10131023XAmazon/ B&H
Lexar Gold 1TB/2TB10191020XB&H
Lexar Gold 512GB10021020XAmazon/ B&H
Lexar Gold 64/128/2569571022XAmazon/ B&H
Sandisk Pro-Cinema 256GBXAmazon/ B&H
Sandisk Extreme 512GBXX
Sandisk Extreme 128/256GB4891020XAmazon/ B&H
Sandisk Extreme 65GBXX
Sony Tough 128/256/512GB9891024XAmazon/ B&H
Prograde Cobalt 165/325/650GB10021022XAmazon/ B&H
Prograde 1TB gen3X
Prograde 512GB gen3X
Prograde 512/1TB gen2X
Prograde 256GB gen2X
Prograde 128GB gen2679778XAmazon/ B&H
Delkin Black 150/325/650GB10031023XB&H
Delkin Black 75GB9791022XB&H
Delkin Black 128GB10001022XXB&H
Delkin Power 128/256/512/1TB/2TB9991022XAmazon/ B&H
Delkin Prime 64GB9741023XXAmazon
Nikon 660GB9871022XAmazon/ B&H
Hoodman Steel 128GB6081018XAmazon/ B&H
Wise Pro 640GBX
Wise Pro 160/320GB9641024XB&H
Wise 1TB Mk IIX
Wise 512GB Mk IIX
Wise 128GB1901023XAmazon/ B&H
Angelbird Pro 1TB/2TB/4TB MkII 872835XAmazon/ B&H
Angelbird Pro 2TB MkIX
Angelbird Pro 256GB844961XXB&H
Angelbird Pro XT 330/660/1320GB9941020XAmazon/ B&H
Angelbird Pro SE 512GB 822878XAmazon/ B&H
Angelbird Pro SX 160GB9731021XAmazon/ B&H
OWC Atlas Ultra 165/325/650GB9961010XAmazon/ B&H
OWC Atlas Pro 512GB/1TB/2TBX
OWC Atlas Pro 256GBXX
OWC Atlas Pro 128GB239978XAmazon/ B&H
Sabrent Rocket 512GB/1TB/2TBXB&H
Sabrent Rocket 512GB/1TBXXAmazon
RitzGear 256/512/1TBXAmazon
RitzGear 128GB2511019XAmazon
Pergear Ultra 1TB/2TBXAmazon
Pergear Pro 512GBXAmazon
Pergear Pro 256GBXAmazon
Pergear Lite 128GB324978XAmazon
Pergear Lite 64GBXAmazon
Silicon Power Cinema 512GB/1TBXAmazon/ B&H
Silicon Power Cinema 256GB453996XAmazon/ B&H
Silicon Power Cinema 128GBXAmazon/ B&H
Transcend 820 512GBXB&H
Transcend 820 256GBXB&H
SunEast 512GB/1TBXX
CFx-AX
Sony Tough 640GBXAmazon/ B&H
Sony Tough 320GBXAmazon/ B&H
Sony Tough 160GBXAmazon/ B&H
Sony Tough 80GB641852XAmazon/ B&H
Lexar 320GB837885XAmazon/ B&H
Lexar 160GB825886XAmazon/ B&H
Lexar 80GBXAmazon/ B&H
Delkin Black 160GBXB&H
Delkin Black 80GB639852XB&H
Delkin Power 160GBXB&H
Delkin Power 80GB641847XB&H
ProGrade 160GB691845XB&H
UHS-II V90
Sandisk Extreme Pro V90252279Amazon/ B&H
Lexar 2000x V90219256Amazon/ B&H
Toshiba Exceria Pro V90213244Amazon
Transcend v90175263Amazon/ B&H
Sony G Tough v90239275Amazon/ B&H
Delkin Black v90253278B&H
Delkin Power v90240275B&H
Fujifilm Elite II V90158277 X
Adata v90229268Amazon
Hoodman Steel 2000x V90155249Amazon/ B&H
ProGrade V90229270Amazon/ B&H
PNY EliteX-Pro90 V90XAmazon/ B&H
Amplim 2000x V90XAmazon
Angel Bird V90 II257271Amazon/ B&H
OWC Atlas Ultra V90XB&H
OWC Atlas S Pro V90XB&H
Kingston Canvas React V90256274Amazon/ B&H
Kodak V90 64GB260272Amazon
Ritz Gear VideoPro V90258273Amazon
Wise V90 Pro256275B&H
UHS-II V60
Lexar 1800x V60176242Amazon/ B&H
Lexar 1667x V6099242Amazon/ B&H
Lexar 1000x V60108167X
Sony M Tough V60155268Amazon/ B&H
Sony M v60XB&H
Sony E v60142252Amazon/ B&H
Sony E v3073247XB&H
Delkin Prime v6098275B&H
Hoodman Steel 1500x V6099273Amazon/ B&H
ProGrade V6098155Amazon/ B&H
PNY EliteX-Pro60 V60XAmazon/ B&H
Amplim 2000x v60136253Amazon
Amplim 1900x V6097275X
Angel Bird V60 II144243Amazon/ B&H
OWC Atlas Pro V60XB&H
FreeTail Evoke Pro V6096272X
Ritz Gear Video Pro V60 A1XAmazon
UHS-I U3
Sandisk Extreme Pro U3144172Amazon/ B&H
Sandisk Extreme Plus U361143XAmazon
Sandisk Extreme U35193Amazon/ B&H
Sandisk Ultra U1 Old2793X
Kingston CanvasGo! Plus U3124161Amazon
Kingston Canvas Select Plus U38493Amazon
Lexar 633x U33593Amazon
Sony Professional U38491X
Sony U3 946091X
Sony U3 958190X
Transcend U3 High Performance A2XAmazon
Transcend U37991Amazon
PNY Pro Elite U3 256GB8793Amazon
PNY Elite-X U3 128 GB5692Amazon
PNY Elite Performance U36391XAmazon
Delkin Black U38693B&H
Delkin Advantage U37793Amazon/ B&H
Toshiba Exceria Pro U37491
Toshiba Exceria U32991
Verbatim Pro+ U37791Amazon
Verbatim Pro U34690Amazon
Amplim 667x A1 V305093X
RitzGear Extreme Performance A1 V306293Amazon

 

 

Memory Card Benchmarks By Camera Brand

Want to know which memory card best suits your camera? Check out this guide! I’ve compiled a list of the most popular memory cards that have undergone a speed test in each camera, split between different camera brands. Refer to this guide for the best memory card performance for your gear.

 

Canon Memory Card

Searching for the perfect memory card for your Canon camera? This dedicated page from Canon helps you figure out which ones are best suited to your device. We’ve moved all the tests over here to keep track of new cards that come up and how they would work with your older Canon camera–so you can get some general recommendations and make a well-informed purchase!

Best Memory Cards For Canon

 

Sony Memory Cards

Memory cards for Sony cameras have traditionally been limited by low write speeds. For instance, most of Sony’s older cameras are typically only able to write to memory cards up to 30MB/s. However, newer models such as the A9II and A7rIV now provide enhanced performance, with CFexpress Type-A speeds even close to those of Nikon Z cameras and their CFexpress cards.

Recommended Memory Cards For Sony Cameras

 

Fujifilm Memory Cards

Are you in search of the ideal memory card to suit a Fujifilm camera? Take a glance at this invaluable guide which has tested and rated many of the top card brands in relation to various Fujifilm cameras.

Recommended Memory Cards For Fujifilm Cameras

 

Leica Memory Cards

Full Frame
Leica M11
Leica Q2

 

Nikon Memory Cards

If you’re looking for the right memory card for your Nikon camera, this guide will help you make an informed decision. We’ll take a look at various specifications and features so you can easily pick the perfect card for your needs. From write speeds to physical size, we can help you determine which Nikon memory card is best suited for you.

Recommended Memory Cards For Nikon cameras

 

Panasonic Memory Cards

Memory cards for Panasonic cameras have shown varying levels of performance depending on the model. On the older micro four-thirds cameras, there was typically a 35MB/s bottleneck bus speed, or twice that when running UHS-II cards. However, newer models such as the GH6 and the full-frame system have seen improved performance with UHS-II and UHS-I memory cards and are beginning to include support for CFexpress Type-B cards.

Recommended memory Cards For Panasonic Cameras

 

Olympus Memory Cards

Memory cards for Olympus cameras can vary widely in terms of read and write speeds. Generally speaking, older models are more likely to have bus speed bottlenecks that may limit memory card performance. However, more recent models tend to be much faster, and the differences really become apparent when using higher-end, high-speed cards.

M42 Cameras
Olympus E-M1 Mark III
Olympus E-M1 Mark II
Olympus E-M1X
Olympus E-M10 Mark IV
Olympus E-M10 Mark III
Olympus E-M3 Mark III
Olympus E-M5 Mark III
Olympus E-M5 Mark II
Olympus Pen-F

 

Pentax Memory Cards

When using a Pentax camera such as the K-1, one should make sure to use high-speed memory cards that are compatible with the device. While most memory cards will work with the camera, their write speeds can be limited due to a bus speed bottleneck at approximately 30MB/s-40MB/s. Therefore, it is best to check both your camera and the specifications of the card to ensure optimal performance!

Full Frame
Pentax K-3 III
Pentax K-1

 

Ricoh Memory Cards

When considering memory cards for your Ricoh camera, UHS-I cards are the best option. Ricoh GRIII has shown great performance when using the newest cards, guaranteeing a successful photography experience.

APS-C
Ricoh GR III

 

Memory Cards For Sigma

If you’re using a Sigma camera, having the right memory card is essential. This is especially true for the company’s new L-mount fp cameras which come packed with powerful specs and features. Memory cards provide efficient storage capacities that are compatible with your device and suitable for your needs. Make sure to follow these guides to determine what type of memory card your Sigma camera can support for optimal performance.

Full Frame
Sigma fpl
Sigma fp

 

Memory Cards For Action Cameras

Older GoPro Hero 5 cameras had problems with certain memory cards. Fortunately, newer GoPro models have better hardware and most of these issues have been resolved. Meanwhile, models like DJI Osmo Action and Osmo Pocket are known for their good memory card performance even when shooting at higher bitrates.

Check out this guide for the latest on the best SD cards for GoPro.

GoPro DJI  
GoPro Hero 9 SD Cards Osmo Pocket 2  
GoPro Hero 8 SD Cards Osmo Pocket  
GoPro Hero 7 SD Cards Osmo Action  
GoPro Hero 6 SD Cards    
GoPro Hero 5 & Session Memory Cards    

 

Micro SD Memory Cards For Drones

When it comes to flying a drone for photography or videography, the right memory card can make all the difference. Memory cards come in a variety of styles and sizes, designed for different drones with various specs. To ensure you get the most out of your flying experience, make sure to choose the perfect memory card for your drone that meets its requirements and ensures optimal performance.

Use these guides to help you find what will work best!

DJI Drones
DJI Mavic 3 / Cine
DJI  Air 2s
DJI Mavic 2 Pro / Zoom
DJI Spark

 

Memory Micro SD Memory Cards For SmartPhones

Do you have a Samsung Galaxy S20 or S20+ or older smartphone? If so, you’re one of the few people with access to micro SD memory cards. Several brands of micro SD cards were tested in these smartphones to find out which offers the best performance. The surprising results show a huge difference between the performance among different memory cards. Unfortunately, if you’re looking for a modern Samsung smartphone with a micro SD card slot, you won’t be able to find one anymore.
 
Samsung
Samsung Galaxy S20 & S20+, S20 Ultra SD Cards
Samsung Galaxy S10 & S10+ SD Cards
Samsung Galaxy S8 & S8+ SD Cards

 

Memory Card Types And Performance

 

What Do All The Numbers And Letters On Memory Cards Mean?

  • SDHC – SDHC indicates that a card is going to use the 32-bit Fat32 file structure. This can have some performance limitations on cards. Some of the new Speed Classes like V30, V60 aren’t available on these fat32 cards. Also, you’ll see a file size limit of around 4GB.
  • SDXC – SDXC indicates that the card is going to be 64-bit using the exFat file structure. This means you get all the of what technology memory cards have to offer. The V30, v60 speed classes, and larger file sizes.
  • Class 10 – This is an older designation that they still put on memory cards. There used to be other classes written on memory cards, typically it would be a number inside a circle. Now every card is pretty much Class 10 and new Speed Classes have come around like U1 / U3 and V30 / V60 etc. So it’s all getting a little cluttered. Class 10 will give you a minimum guaranteed write speed of 10MB/s.
  • U1 / U3 – These are speed classes like Class 10 that indicate the minimum write speed a card is capable of. U1 is 10MB/s and U3 is 30MB/s. Typically if you’re shooting high bitrate video, you’ll want the U3 cards. Some cameras like Sony’s won’t even let you use their advanced video codecs without a U3 memory card.
  • V30 / V60 / V90 – This is the latest speed class. Just like Class 10 and U1 / U3, this speed class has to do with guaranteed minimum write speeds. V30 = 30MB/s, V60 = 60MB/s and so forth.
  • UHS-I / UHS-II – UHS-I and UHS-II memory cards are built completely differently. UHS-II memory cards have a second set of pins that basically give the memory cards dual lanes to read and write data to and from. This makes these memory cards potentially twice as fasted when used in UHS-II devices.

 

Potential Memory Card Problems

 

Memory Card Not Working

There are several reasons a memory card may not work and I’ll list a few that I’ve seen or have personally dealt with.

1. Bad Memory Card – Not all memory cards are created equal, and you may find yourself with a bad one from time to time. While most brands offer warranties of 10 years or a lifetime. If you get stuck with a defective card, you can usually just send it back to the manufacturer and try a new one instead.

 

2. Brand Incompatibility – Memory card brand instability can cause trouble when using different cameras. Certain camera brands like Sony may not be compatible with Samsung memory cards for video recording, and Canon states some of their cameras do not often support Sony cards. To avoid these problems, switch to a different brand of cards such as Sandisk, Lexar, or Delkin. These cards tend to work better with most cameras.

 

3. Memory Card Is Slow – Is your memory card slow? If so, it might be defective or even a counterfeit! It is best to purchase memory cards from a trusted source such as BHphoto, Amazon, or Adorama instead of buying on eBay. This ensures that you are getting an authentic product and not one that is fake.

**This website contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you click them to make a purchase.
AGriffin

Professional editor, blogger and photographer from Los Angeles California.

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