Which memory card to choose for a canon and nikon camera

Types of memory cards

The current market for electronic devices is saturated with different format flash drive models. Therefore, at first glance, it seems that choosing an acceptable memory drive is easy. However, such variability, on the contrary, complicates the choice and only confuses the buyer more.

If you rush and buy a device that does not meet the standards of acceptable quality, you will only waste money and nerves. At the same time, the question of purchasing a drive suitable for specific parameters will remain open. Before you figure out which memory card to choose for your camera, find out which format models exist.

The choice of a memory card for storing photo and video files on the camera is based on a number of criteria that determine the suitability of the device.

Flash drives for cameras are produced by various manufacturing companies. Each brand offers memory cards of several types and subtypes with original technical features specific to a particular manufacturer.

How to choose a memory card for a camera?

Today it is difficult to imagine your life without electronics. We are surrounded by devices that are aimed at processing information. The storage media are phones, players, netbooks, cameras, game consoles, and other gadgets. Information must be stored somewhere, this is what raises the constant question - “How much memory is there?” It is most convenient when the storage media can be changed. That is why, first of all, after purchasing a new device, they purchase a memory card. This article will tell you what types of memory cards are available, what is their difference, and how to choose the right card for your device.

Let's start with history

The very first memory card was invented in Japan in 1984. This technological advance was made by Toshiba engineers. After several years of development and internal tests and trials, the first commercial series was released. This happened in 1988. The company became the pioneer of this technology. These were not the cards we were used to. At that time, the memory card was part of ATA Flash cards, which acted as PC cards with an ATA controller.

The first memory card in the form to which we are accustomed was introduced only in 1994 by SanDisk. It was a Compact Flash format flash card. Considering the data from GfK Retail and Technology Ukraine, we can conclude that in Ukraine, in the second quarter of 2010, memory cards worth 56 million hryvnia were sold. The growth in consumption of this product over the year was 58%. This suggests that this type of product is in demand among the population.

Formats

SD Card (Secure Digital Card). It is this format of memory cards that is currently most common in various digital technologies. This format has a large number of varieties. The SD format is considered to be the successor to MMC. These memory cards have the same size - 32x24x2.1mm. At the same time, SD is protected from accidental or intentional copying, and is equipped with a mechanical switch that protects data from erasing or overwriting.

The SDHC (SD High Capacity) variety is a parameter that determines the increased maximum capacity of the card. It is 32 GB, as opposed to 4 GB in regular SD. We can say with confidence that all modern cards with a capacity exceeding 4 GB are SDHC. The next stage in the development of memory cards is SDXC. Cards of this format will hold up to 2 TB of information. All cases provide for backward compatibility of formats. This means that devices that can interface with SDHC are compatible with the older SD format.

The SD format also has smaller maps. This is miniSD. Their size is 21.5 x 20 x 1.4 mm. There is also m icroSD with a size of 11 x 15 x 1 mm. They are the smallest storage media. The data transfer speed of all types of SD cards is 200 Mbit/s. However, all cards are divided into write and data transfer speed classes.

Speed ​​classes of SD cards. Users know that memory cards are characterized not only by their size and the amount of data they can hold. An important parameter is the data transfer speed. High speed will allow the camera to work faster, increasing the speed of recording and reading photos; it will be easier for the player to play large audio and video files without slowdowns and freezes, as well as to record HD video normally, which is available even in many phones. To ensure that neither users nor manufacturers are confused about speed formats, the international SD Card Association has established a classification of speed parameters for memory cards of the most popular format - SD, as well as all its varieties and devices that work with it. This standard is called SD Speed ​​Class.

SD Speed ​​Class sets the minimum recording speed by class:

• SD Class 2: minimum speed more than 2 MB/s;
• SD Cla ss 4: minimum speed more than 4 MB/s;
• SD Class 6: minimum speed more than 6 MB/s;
• SD Class 10: minimum speed greater than 10 MB/s;
• SD Cla ss 12: minimum speed more than 12 MB/s;
• SD Class s 16: minimum speed over 16 MB/s.

This list can be continued up to SD Class 45 cards. You can notice a pattern that the speed class indicates the minimum speed of the card, which is measured in MB/s. This parameter is no less important than all the others. Therefore, when choosing a memory card, you need to pay attention to its SD Speed ​​Class.

Not so often. but it still occurs when the manufacturer indicates the speed class in the “X” format. This format comes from more ancient times from cards of another type, which we will discuss later.

CF (Compact Flash). These are larger cards compared to the SD format. Their size is 43x36x3.3mm. Today, these memory cards are used mainly in professional equipment. The reason for this is high data transfer speed, large volume and high reliability. There are two Compact Flash formats. These are Type I and, accordingly, Type II. Type II - wider cards, the thickness of which is 5mm. Type I cards are only 3.3mm thick. The second type is very rare, therefore it is practically not used in technology. Type I is more in demand.

The speed of CF memory cards is indicated by X's. (100x, 266x, etc.) “X” is a speed symbol that is a multiple of 150 KB/s. This is typical for CDs. Compact Flash appeared on the market during the popularity of disks as storage media.

Currently, the speed provided by CF cards varies between 120x-400x, which is 20-60 MB/s. This is enough for equipment compatible with the CF format to operate stably. However, in October of this year, ATP Electronics introduced a CF card that operates at 640x speed. That's 96 MB/s. This card is designed to work with high quality video. Theoretically, the maximum operating speed of Compact Flash cards is 888x, which is 133 MB/s, and the capacity can reach 128 GB. Models with a capacity of 64 GB are available today. This is quite enough for the normal work of photographers and videographers.

Despite the fact that this memory card format is not very popular and is found only in professional equipment, the CompactFlash Association has already developed the CFast format. In this format, the data transfer speed reached 375 MB/s. This was made possible thanks to the use of Serial ATA architecture, or as it is more often called SATA II

MMC (MultiMedia Card). The dimensions of cards in this format are 24 x 32 x 1.4 mm. It is due to their size that MMC cards are used in most types of portable equipment. This format had several variations. The differences lie not only in size, but in technical characteristics. RS-MMC (Reduced Size Multimedia Card) is half the size of the main format. It was popular during the advent of memory card phones due to its size. Some phones of the 2000s used DV-RS-MMC (Dual Voltage Reduced Size Multimedia Card) memory cards. Its feature is reduced energy consumption. These cards operated at 1.8V. This is almost two times less than other cards, whose supply voltage was 3.3V. This was a very important factor for portable technology. And of course, the smallest MMC format card had dimensions of 14 x 12 x 1.1 mm. This is an MMCmicro format card.

MMC format cards operate at speeds of up to 2.5 MB/s. A memory card capable of transferring data at a speed of 52 MB/s was also developed - MMCplus. However, this format has not found widespread use. Today, MMC memory cards are extremely rare. They are being replaced by removable SD media. Previously, devices working with SD cards were also compatible with MMC, but today support for the second format is becoming less and less common.

Now let's talk about memory cards that are not widely used like those described above, but are still not out of production.

xD-Picture Car d is a format that was invented by Olympus and Fujifilm in 2002. The card sizes are 20x25x1.78mm. These cards do not have any outstanding features. They operate at speeds of up to 5 MB/s and have a memory capacity of up to 2 GB. Their use is implemented only in Fujifilm and Olympus photographic equipment. It is worth noting that there are fewer cameras that work with the xD-Picture format every year. There are understandable reasons for this: expensive card production and low technical specifications. Olympus, which is the founder of this format, installs universal SD/xD-Picture readers in its equipment.

Memory Stick, Memory S tick Duo and Memory Stick Micro (M2) are memory cards that are used in Sony equipment. They have an elongated shape, the dimensions of which are 50x21.5x2.8 and 31x20x1.6 mm. These memory cards were used in cameras and video cameras. The M2 format was developed specifically for mobile platforms. Its size is 15x12.5x1.2mm. It is used in Sony Ericsson mobile phones and multimedia players. The volume of information contained in the first two types is limited to 128 MB. The M2 format can theoretically hold up to 16 GB. M2 Pro memory cards are designed to store 32 GB of information and operate at speeds of up to 20 MB/s. Due to the fact that this card format is applicable only to certain models of equipment and the price of these cards, which is 2 times higher than the cost of cards of another format with similar parameters, M2 has not become widespread and is gradually losing its position in the market. Sony equips its equipment with universal readers.

What do you need to know when choosing a memory card?

Now we can summarize. Now you can figure out what you need to know when choosing a memory card. The first thing you should look at is the format that is supported by your technology. If your device supports several formats, or you decide to use adapters, it is better to choose the memory card that is indicated in the instructions.

When purchasing an SD memory card, read the instructions for your device and determine what the allowable capacity of the memory card is and at what speed it should operate. This parameter is important for large memory cards. If you are offered an inexpensive card with a capacity of 8 GB or more, most likely its speed is Class 2 or Class 4. The cost of a memory card depends on the data transfer speed and memory capacity.

The speed of recording information is very important when using cards in cameras and video cameras. At the same time, the speed of reading information is usually one and a half to two times higher than the speed of writing.

We should also talk about the service life of the memory card. All manufacturers provide a warranty ranging from one to five years. But if you look at it in theory, the technology of flash memory cards is such that they can work for an almost unlimited period. However, practice shows that memory cards still break. This can occur from wear and tear on the memory cells or physical damage. Many exclusive models of memory cards usually have a lifetime warranty, this is a serious argument when choosing a memory card.

There are many opinions on how to determine the service life of a memory card. Manufacturers usually advertise their unique parameters and technologies, but we can say with confidence that any memory card is capable of producing from 10,000 to 1 million write cycles. The specific figure depends on the manufacturer, the technology used, the quality of components and assembly conditions. The actual life of the removable storage medium depends on the operating conditions. Practice shows completely different service life for identical devices. Many manufacturers guarantee data security for ten years.

Under normal operating conditions, memory cards can serve their owners faithfully for decades. Normal conditions mean normal rewriting of information on the media, reading audio and video files, as well as recording and viewing photographs. The only thing you need to do for prevention is low-level formatting. Before this procedure, do not forget to copy all files to another medium. If suddenly your device no longer detects the memory card, you notice a decrease in the speed of the device, or periodic failures occur when writing or reading information, do not try to resuscitate the memory card. It's useless. You only risk losing important information. Just go and choose a new storage medium and don't forget our tips. By the way, do not forget that if a memory card fails, 95% of the information can be restored in special services and workshops.

SD cards

SD (Sequre Digital) is a format that leads the external memory storage market. Compact flash drives of this format have held market leadership for more than 20 years.

SD cards are available in the following subtypes:

• Classic SD type. This type is no longer relevant today, since drives of this class have too little memory (up to 4 GB), which is insufficient for the current generation of equipment;
• High Capacity . An advanced type of SD card compared to the previous one. Memory capacity up to 32 GB. A characteristic feature of the device is support for the FAT 32 file system;
• SDXC. A type of SD card with a large amount of memory (up to 3 TB), a device of this subclass demonstrates a record rate of writing/reading information;
• Eye-Fi . This model is equipped with an integrated module that supports wi fi. Thanks to this feature, the pictures taken can be immediately uploaded to the network. The device is ergonomic for photojournalists who use wi-fi cameras as their main work equipment;
• microSD _ Typically used in smartphones, tablets, action cameras and small devices. To connect such a drive to a large professional camera, a special adapter is required.

Reference! Micro SD cards, despite their small external dimensions, are distinguished by their solid storage capacity. For example, models of the SanDisk brand are available in capacities up to 200 GB. Such cards belong to the Ultra microSDHC category

Types of devices

The camera card plays a huge role. The first thing you should pay attention to is the description of your device. There you will find all the information about what types of cards the camera is compatible with. The most popular card today is for a modern camera with the SD type. It in turn is divided into 2 subtypes:

• The first is SDHC - which has a large storage capacity.
• The second SDXC has an ultra-large storage capacity.

The next most popular are micro SD. They are mainly used in smartphones. Next come CF, used for professional purposes. There are also interesting solutions on the market in the form of Eye-fi cards that have built-in wi-fi. The memory card for a camera such as canon and nikon can be different, let's look at the types of memory cards.

Memory cards of various formats

Compact Flash

This type of memory card is used for professional equipment. Also suitable for some older devices. Cards of this class are leaders in technical parameters.

Among some CF cards, version 2.00, there are devices with the following characteristics:

• recording speed parameters up to 440 MB/s;
• data reading speed up to 515 MB/s;
• memory capacity 64/128 GB.

To work together with this model, the camera must have direct access to UDMA memory. Without such a function, your equipment will not support the same speed as a CF drive.

Best other types of memory cards

In the second and final part of the review of the best memory cards for cameras according to Expertology magazine, we will look at copies that use other technologies and are in no way compatible with the SD format described above. The share of memory of these types is insignificant, but some have not yet completely disappeared, while others have every chance of developing and becoming widespread.

SanDisk Extreme Pro CompactFlash 160MB/s 64GB

Rating: 4.9

First, let's look at a memory card for cameras of the hopelessly outdated CompactFlash format. This is, in fact, the last external memory format that has survived to this day, when the era of miniaturization was just beginning.

As is already clear, such memory also has the form of a faceless plastic card, but only larger in size than SD. Dimensions are not of fundamental importance here due to the extremely narrow specialization - only such memory is suitable for certain cameras, and the camera owner is ready for this. The card body is coated with a layer of silicone to minimize vibration effects.

Despite the venerable age of the technology itself, its feature has always been high data transfer speed. In this regard, CompactFlash has always easily left behind the SD format, but due to the dramatic price difference in favor of SD, the latter eventually won the market race. Yes, the price of CompactFlash is one of the main disadvantages.

So, about speed. Firstly, it should be no lower than 65 MB/s, since this model officially complies with the VPG-65 standard, which precisely implies this minimum threshold. Further, the recording speed can reach values ​​up to 150 MB/s, depending on the characteristics of the device. Read speed – up to 160 MB/s.

Support for the UDMA7 standard allows this type of memory in this design to carefully control the integrity of transmitted data packets without losing speed.

Like some of the models described above, this memory card can operate in extreme temperature conditions - from minus 25 degrees to plus 85. Buyers are provided with the proprietary RescuePRO software package, which can be used to recover deleted files. The subscription, however, is free for only one year.

Advantages

• silicone coated body;
• high guaranteed write and read speed (VPG-65 standard);
• reliability and reliability;
• durability;
• wide range of operating temperatures;
• support for UDMA7 direct memory access;
• useful proprietary software.

Flaws

• a hopelessly outdated format that will soon completely leave the market;
• the high price, in terms of the price of a megabyte, is completely unjustified.

Sony QDG64E

Rating: 4.8

Now we invite you to pay attention to a memory card of another rather rare XQD format. Sony equips some types of electronics of its own production with such memory, where truly record writing and reading speeds are needed.

Let's start right away with the main thing. This is exactly the case when the manufacturer does not hesitate to clearly indicate the write speed directly on the card body, and is not limited to only indicating the read speed. It’s not surprising, because there is something to be proud of - the write speed reaches an incredible 400 MB/s, and the read speed is even slightly higher here - up to 440 MB/s. Agree, even this “slight” looks impressive for many models of “mainstream” SD memory.

Such speed parameters make it possible to record videos in ultra-high 4K resolution with a large performance reserve, without worrying about lags and intermittent streams. Data transfer is also carried out as quickly as possible, this is helped by the implemented support for EB Streaming technology - reliable and high-quality two-way communication without loss of performance.

Memory of this format cannot be recommended as a universal solution, since it is supported by a very small segment of photographic equipment, and the owner of a camera with such an interface simply has no other choice. However, if suddenly the device supports two types of memory at once, then you can decide.

This and similar memory cards are optimal for professional DSLRs with a very serious workload, which involves frequent recording and rewriting of large volumes of photo and video materials.

Another thing worth noting is that although this memory is expensive and not so widespread, due to the fact that it is based on the PCI Express interface, this format has great prospects in terms of development. The PCI Express interface itself is one of the most successful in the industry; it is not going anywhere and will only improve, and, accordingly, XQD memory will develop along with it.

Advantages

• record writing and reading speeds;
• anti-corrosion coating of terminals;
• protection from external influences;
• reliability and durability;
• guaranteed video recording in 4K resolution without jerks;
• saving hundreds of photos in RAW format in one session;
• great potential for development.

Flaws

• exorbitant cost.

How much memory card capacity do you need?

The amount of memory for storing photographs is an important parameter when working with photographic equipment. Given the increasing advancement of cameras, the level of quality and resolution of images is increasing. At the same time, the camera is able to capture and convey even more details in the photo.

Accordingly, detailed high-resolution photos take up much more memory. Therefore, for modern devices, you will need a capacious memory card that also has an acceptable speed of recording information.

For example, pictures in RAW and JPEG formats take up approximately 100 MB each. Therefore, for multi-pixel photo images, you will need a memory card with a capacity of over 16 GB.

What to look for when choosing a flash drive

Among all the significant criteria, the following are of interest:

• Memory;
• write and read speed class;
• protection capabilities;
• manufacturer.

Determining the amount of memory

This indicator will show the number of pictures that fit on the card. Every year these indicators become more and more “in demand”: the quality of photo and video materials and, accordingly, the space they occupy are increasing. The amount of detail retained in a photo will determine its volume. This is where the format comes into play: when combining RAW and JPEG, just one image can already take up 100 MB. For example, a forty-second clip of a Canon EOS-1D X Mark II can take up as much as 5 GB. And in 4K, one minute can take up hundreds of times more space. Therefore, today there is no point in purchasing flash drives with a capacity of less than 16 GB, especially if you plan to actively shoot photos and videos.

Let's give some good advice: when going to a photo shoot, it makes sense to take several memory cards with you. This will allow you to save all important moments.

Optimal speed for writing and reading

This parameter is relevant if only because it determines the area in which the memory card will be used. For example, there is no point in trying to record sports footage or Full HD video on a slow card - it will simply freeze. Previously there was a simple gradation: classes 2,4,6,10. In fact, this was the designation of the write speed in megabytes per second. Fast flash drives had additional markings U1 or U3 - 10 MB/sec and 30 MB/sec, respectively. If we talk about formats, the U1 supports Full HD video recording, and to shoot in 4K format you will have to purchase a card labeled U3. But Sandisk has slightly different information:

• Ultra II recording speed starts from 9 MB/sec;
• Extreme III starts at 20 Mb/s;
• Extreme IV indicators were 45 Mb/sec.

Recently, new recording speed standards UHS-I and UHS-II have appeared. The first type supports speeds up to 104 Mb/s, and the second – up to 312 Mb/s. Such technical characteristics will allow you to realize all the talents inherent in modern technology. The most interesting, of course, is the second version. It differs in that the contacts in it are located in two rows.

In general, the manufacturer must indicate the following parameters: on the left is the speed at which reading or writing is performed, and on the right is the class through which the card passes.

Here are some tips for choosing a recording speed class.

1. For Full HD shooting, we recommend choosing a memory card with a recording speed of at least class 6 (ten would be ideal).
2. If you plan to shoot serially, then it is better to take care of even faster options, for example U1 or U. It is better not to save: a slow flash drive will miss a very interesting frame, wasting time on transferring to the camera pictures taken a little earlier.
3. If your plans include filming moving objects, then the speed requirements increase, because there are already several episodes. Therefore, the speed itself must be at least 80 Mb/s.
4. Cards from 90 MB/s are best chosen for a professional-level camera.

But the read speed is not so relevant - most often it will be equal to or exceed the write speed.

The importance of protection

Naturally, when the memory card is inside the camera, it is more protected than when it is removed. However, the manufacturers took care of these points as well. Typically, the packaging indicates the degree of protection from negative influences, ranging from frost and sun to x-ray radiation, which is most likely during security screening at the airport. It is better to buy a product with the maximum degree of protection for yourself.

There are additional precautions that will allow you to work much longer. The following must not be allowed:

• exposure to strong magnetic fields;
• flash drives falling, especially into water;
• exposure to excessively high or low temperatures.

Advice! Do not insert or remove a flash card while the camera is turned on.

Accessory manufacturer

According to professional photographers, SanDisk has the highest level of reliability. However, even in this case, when choosing a memory card for a camera, you should focus specifically on the class of devices. For example, for a DSLR camera, choose SanDisk Extreme PRO microSDXC UHS-II, for amateur photography, choose UHS-I, and for professional work, even choose PRO CFast2.0. SDXC microformats of the UHS-II version are suitable for action cameras. There are other well-established manufacturers - Transcend, Kingston and Samsung. But you shouldn’t trust an inexpensive price from an unknown brand.

Which write and read speed should I choose?

Previously, the speed parameters of drives were determined by the following classes:

• Class 2
• Class 4;
• Class 6;
• Class 10.

The number of each class indicated the data writing speed MB/s. Accordingly, the higher the class, the faster the read/write speed of megabytes per second.

Considering the characteristics of modern cameras, even the 10th class of information recording speed (from 10 MB/s) is no longer relevant. Therefore, UHS (Ultra High Speed) is a new specification of high-speed protocols that was introduced by the developers. Now the UHS marking is on all standard SD cards.

The following markings are typical for new advanced memory cards:

• UHS – I – (90 MB/s);
• UHS – II – (250 Mb/s).

Such indicators are suitable for cameras that are capable of producing the clearest and most detailed images.

Speed ​​indicators are among the most important characteristics of a flash drive. The rate at which information is transferred to the flash drive depends on the recording speed. Read speed refers to how quickly data can be copied to a PC.

For Canon mirror model devices, it is recommended to purchase flash drives like SanDisk Extreme PRO microSDXC UHS-II, which are well suited for professional-level filming. For amateur photography, UHS-I will be a sufficient format.

Speed ​​parameters are indicated on the flash drive. Moreover, the higher the speed characteristics, the more expensive the drive costs.

When purchasing a device, the main thing is to set your priorities correctly. If you use the camera exclusively for shooting landscapes or static objects, it is not advisable to overpay for extra speed and buy an expensive super-fast flash drive. For these purposes, a UHS-I class drive will be more than enough.

Data recording speed is one of the key characteristics. The camera's characteristics must match the speed parameters of the flash drive, otherwise, during shooting, the equipment may simply freeze. Therefore, when purchasing a storage device, it is advisable to thoroughly familiarize yourself with the capabilities of your camera.

Types of cards

Below we will tell you what types of memory cards exist.

SD (Sequence Digital)

The most common type of external media, used by both photographers and non-photographers for over 20 years. During this time, SD drives have made a huge leap in their development and today can satisfy the requirements of the most demanding user.

SD cards are divided into the following categories:

1. SD is a standard type of card, which became the ancestor of all its subsequent varieties. This is a medium that can hold no more than 4 GB of information. Today, such cards are not very popular due to the small amount of memory;
2. SDHC - or Sequre Digital High Capacity - has more memory compared to its predecessor. This storage device can hold up to 32 GB of data. The only disadvantage of such cards is their incompatibility with some camera models (manufactured before 2006);
3. SDXC. A more advanced version of the format is SDXC (Sequre Digital eXtended Capasity). This device is capable of storing up to 2 terabytes of data, which sets it apart from its younger counterparts. In addition, a distinctive feature of such a card is its fairly high data processing speed. It should be noted that some devices cannot cope with a high-tech storage device, so in order not to be disappointed, you should check its operation in the camera before purchasing, if possible;
4. Eye-Fi is a type of SD card equipped with a built-in Wi-Fi element. Such memory cards can be used in cameras that support an Internet connection. Eye-Fi gives a huge advantage to people involved in professions such as photo and video journalism, as it allows you to instantly transfer footage via the Internet;
5. MicroSD. MicroSD drives are popular among owners of smartphones, tablets and action cameras. The capacity of this type of media can reach 200 GB. Despite the fact that the card is tiny in size, it is compatible with any device that supports the SD format. In order to use microSD when taking photographs, you will need an adapter into which a mini-flash drive fits.

Many buyers are tormented by doubts: is it possible to put a card with a microSD adapter on the camera if the camera only has an SD connector? There is no need to worry about this, since most cameras accept this kind of media without problems. For this you only need a standard SD connector.

Compact Flash or CF

Compact Flash cards today occupy a leading position among owners of professional equipment. This is due to the following indicators:

• ultra-high recording speed;
• Memory;
• Compatible even with outdated cameras.

Professional cameras typically have Direct Memory Access (UDMA) capabilities. For such equipment it will not be difficult to interact with a Compact Flash drive, and the photographer will see the enormous difference between a CF drive and any other.

Flash cards “from the manufacturer”

One way or another, any manufacturer of photographic equipment periodically makes attempts to create their own type of external media. As a rule, they are designed for a specific line of cameras equipped with a special slot for a proprietary storage device.

For example:

• Sony – Memory Stick PRO;
• Olympus, Fuji – xD Picture;
• Nikon – XQD, etc.

What characteristics are important?

In addition to the types of external media, it is important to consider characteristics such as read and write speed and compatibility of a particular type of equipment with the selected memory card.

Camera compatibility

In order to avoid becoming the owner of a flash card that is not suitable for your camera, you need to find out in advance whether the equipment is compatible with the selected external drive. Despite the fact that almost all cameras are equipped with standard SD connectors, there is a possibility that the speed of the flash card and the power of the camera will not work together. Therefore, before you go to the checkout, check whether the card you have chosen works with the camera by taking several photos or short videos.

Speed

Recording speed is one of the key indicators of shooting quality. For example, an attempt to record a video of a sports championship in FullHD format on a medium with medium or low speed characteristics may not be successful: the camera will simply freeze and you risk missing an important moment. Let's figure out what speed indicators are relevant today.

SDHC and SDXC memory cards today are marked with 4 types of markings:

• Class 2;
• Class 4;
• Class 6;
• Class 10.

It is not difficult to guess that those that are higher in class have the best performance. For video shooting, you should choose a drive of at least class 6, and in order to get good portrait shots, class 2 is also suitable.

The latest write speed standards offer the following markings:

• UHS – I – (104 Mb/sec);
• UHS – II – (312 Mb/sec).

These indicators are relevant for the latest photo equipment and are capable of realizing the most daring aspirations.

For greater clarity, let’s take a look at the table of characteristics of all types of media:

Camera compatibility

When purchasing an external storage device, it is important to know which one is compatible with your camera. Otherwise, the purchased flash card simply will not fit the device.

All modern cameras are equipped with SD connectors. However, even taking into account this fact, there may be incompatibility between the reading speed of the memory card and the technical characteristics of the camera. Therefore, before making a purchase, you need to insert the flash drive you have chosen into the device and try to take a few test pictures or videos.

Reference! It is advisable to equip cameras for action photography with external storage devices such as micro SD. For example, SDXC class UHS-II.

Which class of memory card is better?

SD memory cards, you asked yourself such a question as “What does class mean in memory cards?” Memory class is a classification of the speed characteristics of cards of this type. In other words, this is a designation of the memory speed of a flash card.

In accordance with the SD Speed ​​Class standard, memory cards are divided into classes that characterize a certain minimum write speed:

SD Class 2 : write speed of at least 2 MB/s; SD Class 4 : write speed of at least 4 MB/s; SD Class 6 : write speed of at least 6 MB/s; SD Class 10 : write speed of at least 10 MB/s; SD Class 12 : minimum speed greater than 12 MB/s; SD Class 16 : Minimum speed greater than 16 MB/s.

As you can see from the data above, you can understand that the class of a flash drive is equal to the writing speed in megabytes. Therefore, this is one of the important criteria when choosing a memory card of this type.

The writing speed of a flash card directly affects the speed of saving pictures and videos on it. If you have the most budget DSLR camera or any digital camera that is not capable of producing more than 3 frames per second, then a memory card with class 2-6 will be enough for you. If you have more professional photographic equipment or a good video camera that shoots in high resolution and can take photographs at a speed of 5 frames per second or higher, then memory with a speed of 10MB/s will come in handy. When filming sporting events, where you need to shoot in bursts of 10 frames in a row, you need cards with high speed. If you install memory with class 2-4-6, then the camera simply will not have time to record the image and will “suffocate”. In this case, the video will slow down or be saved with an error.

The speed of reading memory cards is not so important, since it only affects the speed of viewing footage. And besides, it is always an order of magnitude higher or equal to the recording speed. Now I think after reading it, it becomes a little clearer which memory card to buy for the camera.

Which memory card manufacturer is better to choose?

There are many manufacturers representing products on the memory card market. Each of them strives to produce its own line of devices with brand-specific features.

Manufacturers often produce external media for a specific line of cameras. Such cameras are equipped with slots for certain flash drives.

For example, cameras such as:

• Sony – Memory Stick PRO;
• Olympus, Fuji – xD Picture;
• Nikon – XQD and others.

Today, the best manufacturers of memory cards for cameras are:

• SanDisk.
• Kingston;
• Samsung;
• Transcend.

Models from these top brands are in high demand among users who are engaged in professional photography. However, the standard rules for choosing flash drives are always relevant. Therefore, it is necessary to look at the class of the drive and compare its characteristics with the capabilities of your camera.

Rating of memory cards that will not let you down in a critical situation

Transcend TS SDHC10 16 GB

This flash drive is not suitable for a professional camera, but some photographers use it as a backup drive. The memory card is suitable for working with a standard camera; of course, you can’t expect to record video in UltraHD, but the device will cope with the task.

The decisive role in the cost of the product was played by the memory capacity of 16 GB and the data processing speed (13 MB/s – write, 21 MB/s – read). Like other Transcend drives, the flash drive is wear-resistant and durable. Therefore, with proper use, the memory card will last over four years without losing functionality.

The use of a flash drive is not limited to amateur cameras; some people use the drive for video recording. The main thing is that the resolution does not exceed 1080p and then a person will get a satisfactory result.

The model is also popular in 2021, so finding a memory card will not be a problem. The main thing to know is that the average cost of a flash drive is 700 rubles, and some stores add a 10-15% premium and the meaning of such a purchase is lost. Therefore, before going to the store, it would be a good idea to look at the cost of the drive in several stores and then make a decision.

Transcend TS SDHC10 16 GB

Advantages:

• Easy accessibility;
• Wear resistance;
• Price;
• Reliable manufacturer.

Flaws:

• Suitable for standard cameras only;
• Speed.

Kingston microSDHC C10 U3 with UHS-I support

If the previous option is suitable for people who use cameras costing up to 15,000 rubles or similar video cameras, then Kingston paid attention to users who use action cameras to record video in 4k. At a speed of 80 Mb/s, even with continuous shooting for half an hour, the memory card will continue to function properly.

For a person who constantly records videos for his own interests or on YouTube, a card with a capacity of 128 GB will be suitable. The cost will be lower than that of microSDXC type drives, but the recording quality will remain at the same level.

Average cost: from 1600 rubles.

Kingston microSDHC C10 U3 with UHS-I support

Advantages:

• Read and write speed – 90 MB/s, 80 MB/s respectively;
• SD adapter included;
• In the store, a person will find cards with capacities from 16 to 128 GB.

Flaws:

• Not detected.

SMARTBUY microSDHC C10

The drive is more suitable for people who like to save money, since the stated characteristics will not impress professional photographers. However, if a person buys this card for use in a video recorder, phone and camera for up to 8,000 rubles, this is a good decision.

In stores, a person will find several memory cards from this manufacturer, the differences between which will only be in capacity: starting from 4 GB and ending with 32 GB. The read and write speed does not exceed 10 MB/s, which affected the final cost of the product.

Of course, you shouldn’t expect a reliable degree of protection from environmental influences or technical faults, but in mild cases the card will save files from destruction.

A flash drive is used by beginners who, having bought a camera, decided to neglect the quality of the drive. It is good if a person uses this card as a backup, since with frequent rewrite cycles the user risks losing up to 100% of the information. Therefore, you should not purchase this flash drive for everyday use, but keeping it in your pocket as an additional to the main one and a spare one is the right decision.

Average cost: 450-600 rubles.

SMARTBUY microSDHC C10

Advantages:

• Availability;
• Price;
• Adapter included.

Flaws:

• Write speed;
• The card is not intended for everyday use.

Sony Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo HX

It’s not often that a person comes across a memory card from Sony on the market, since they are not used as rapidly as competitive drives, but this flash drive deserves a separate place in the top.

The memory card is suitable for people who prefer to use Sony photographic equipment over others or are fans of the company. Of course, from the point of view of common sense, buying a drive is pointless, because it is easier to use an adapter than a single case. The positive point is the write speed, which is 26 MB/s, and the read speed is 50 MB/s. Therefore, a person will enjoy working with the drive to the fullest. In addition, the memory card is covered by a ten-year warranty, which has a positive effect on the build quality of the device.

The average cost is 2,000 rubles for a flash drive with a capacity of 16 GB. A USB card reader is included.

Sony Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo HX

Advantages:

• Suitable for both cameras and PSP;
• The recording speed is on par (for its format);
• Product warranty – 10 years;
• Compatible with Magic Gate;
• Withstands temperatures from -25 to 65 degrees Celsius.

Flaws:

• The cost for 32 GB is 4000-5000 rubles.

SanDisk Extreme SDHC UHS C3 60MB/s

For some users, this memory card is the leader in the SDHC type. The read speed of information is 60 MB/s, and the write speed reaches 40 MB/s, this will allow you to shoot video in 4k resolution.

Manufacturers have unlocked the full potential of SDHC, which is why the card is used not only in cameras and video cameras, but also in game consoles and other “heavy” devices.

The design of the drive is shockproof, not afraid of exposure to X-ray radiation, waterproof and resistant to temperature changes. These factors provide an additional advantage over competitive firms. Manufacturer's warranty – 2 years.

Users who tested the flash drive via a USB card reader note that the declared speed is the minimum that the card is capable of, since the test results showed 55 MB/s.

The average cost is 3,900 rubles for 32 GB of memory.

SanDisk Extreme SDHC UHS C3 60MB/s

Advantages:

• Speed ​​is higher than stated;
• Responsible manufacturer;
• The risk of malfunction does not exceed 10%;
• Availability.

Flaws:

• Not detected.

Samsung MB-MC128GA

The memory card occupies the golden mean between performance and price. Suitable for both Canon SLR cameras and action cameras and video recorders. The drive is used by some professional photographers as their main storage device. According to customer reviews, the card has a 5-star rating, which makes the purchase relevant even in 2021.

The write speed is 90 MB/s, which means that the drive can handle 80% of the tasks. The card is not suitable for long burst shooting in RAW format, since the speed does not allow for this, but this is not the main drawback, since some cameras are not capable of performing this function at a professional level.

Another problem is the rewriting limitation. With frequent use, a person will encounter the problem that the drive has blocked write access - this is not a manufacturing error, since the flash drive’s resource has been exhausted and the card has switched to read mode, but 100% of the files remain intact. Therefore, even in this case, Samsung foresaw possible outcomes and found the right solution.

In other cases, buying a Samsung memory card with a capacity of 128 GB will give the user only positive emotions, especially since the average cost of the card is 1,400 rubles, and this is not so expensive when compared with some competitors. Therefore, this drive can be safely recommended to both beginners and amateurs.

Samsung MB-MC128GA

Advantages:

• Price and quality;
• Write speed 90 Mb/s;
• Suitable for use in SLR cameras;
• Guarantee;
• 4 types of protection.

Flaws:

• Limited resource.

SanDisk Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-II 300MB/s

For lovers of the best and most expensive, SanDisk has released a card with a speed of writing and reading information of 260 MB/s, 300 MB/s, respectively.

The drive has proven itself not only among amateurs, but is also often used by professionals. Supports UHS-II. The manufacturer provides a ten-year warranty on the card, and in case of loss or damage, sends a new card.

The flash drive has 4 degrees of protection from exposure to negative conditions. According to the manufacturer, the memory card will survive even if the device stops working.

The average cost is 14,000 rubles.

SanDisk Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-II 300MB/s

Advantages:

• Recording speed 260 Mb/s;
• UHS-II support;
• Reliability;
• 10 year warranty.

Flaws:

• Price.

What else should you pay attention to?

Before purchasing a device, decide for what purposes the memory card will be used. For low-power cameras (for example, point-and-shoot cameras), a UHS - I class SD drive with a capacity of 8 - 16 GB is sufficient.

For advanced compacts for reproducing RAW photo images and 4K video, either mirrored or non-mirror amateur models, buy flash drives with high-speed UHS - II markings and a minimum capacity of 16-32 GB.

A professional-level camera that supports UHS-II will require an ultra-fast SD drive with a speed potential of up to 250 MB/s and higher. When the camera only supports UHF – I, speeds are limited to 95 MB/s.

Another important aspect when choosing a memory card is the level of security protection for the data stored on it. For example, before boarding a plane at the airport, luggage is subjected to infrared radiation during inspection. If the flash drive is in luggage at this time, the device may simply fail with the loss of all files stored on it.

Manufacturers indicate on the devices the degree of protection against external factors. In order to protect data storage, it is advisable to purchase similar products with the highest level of protection.

A flash drive costs 99 rubles, but where is the memory?

A memory card is used in 90% of gadgets, from mobile devices, computers, set-top boxes to smart watches. The device is available in three types: SD (24×32 mm), miniSD (20×21.5 mm) and microSD (11×15 mm). Top manufacturers in this area are Kingston, Samsung, SanDick, etc. Therefore, before buying a memory card, it is important to decide on the size and format, since some devices support SD, while others are designed to use microSD.

After a person has decided on the format, the next task is capacity. Some users claim that 16 GB is enough for full-fledged work. That's right, there's enough memory for hundreds of photos, music and games. People who often shoot videos in 1080p resolution or take photographs in RAW are better off looking towards 32GB flash drives.

64 GB is suitable for users who shoot videos in UltraHD. Before purchasing, check the compatibility of the gadget with SDXC. The information is indicated on the manufacturer’s website or in the technical documentation. This is done due to the fact that some device models only work with SDHC.

Each manufacturer has different speed classes. UHS-I is considered the standard, but in order to record video in 4k, UHS-II is suitable.

Need more memory...

Some users try to purchase flash drives with a capacity of 64 GB or 128 GB without any apparent need, and this is the main mistake. Of course, it’s nice to have tens of gigabytes of memory at your disposal, but the quality suffers because of this, because a person buys such cards for 1000 rubles and more often from unknown manufacturers. The second disadvantage of this solution is the loss of files. A flash drive can be easily lost or damaged by carelessness. Therefore, even experienced photographers have 4-6 drives in their arsenal, so that in a critical situation they do not lose thousands of images.

When purchasing some microSD memory cards, an adapter is included.

More about speed class

To make it easier to navigate when choosing memory cards, you need to understand the meaning of some abbreviations that are indicated on the flash drive - the first thing that is important to learn. Therefore, this section will provide a detailed overview of technical terms.

In SD cards, the main speed parameter is “Class”. Thanks to which a person will draw a conclusion about the speed or slowness of the model. Information is indicated on the packaging and drive. (example in photo)

Most cards have the designation C and an even number (2, 4, 6, 8, 10), so the digital class informs the user about the minimum data exchange speed (indicated in Mb/s). It follows from this that a Class-2 card is capable of transmitting at least 2 Mb/s, respectively, Class 10 is 10 Mb/s.

The other type is UHS-I. Due to the high-speed operation of the interface, it transmits data at a speed of 100 Mb/s. UHS-II, UHS-III – up to 312 Mb/s and 624 Mb/s, respectively.

Therefore, this type is more often used by professionals, where the device processes hundreds of thousands of data in a short time, for example, when recording video in UltraHD resolution.

Cost is not an indicator of quality

Having familiarized yourself with the main characteristics of a flash drive above, a person will easily select the right one. Don’t get hung up on the attractive price of the product: “999 rubles for 64 GB. Only today,” because in the end, the promised volume may not be available or the drive may not be detected by the device at all.

You can order flash drives from AliExpress, but from the right sellers. In other cases, it’s better to overpay a certain percentage to the store and be satisfied with the purchase, and choosing a high-tech memory card will help...

Recommendations

If you have already purchased a memory card for your camera, here are some tips to help extend the life of your device:

• Avoid exposing the memory device to temperature changes;
• protect the drive from contact with moisture;
• Do not expose the flash drive to magnetic radiation;
• Do not remove the drive from the camera while it is turned on.

By following operational safety recommendations, the memory card will last a long time. However, it all depends on the quality of the purchased products.

On a note

Useful tips:

• If you use two flash drives with different speeds, the one with the lowest speed will be decisive. For example, if you use CF at 90 megabytes per second in one slot and SD at 45 megabytes per second, you may lose the snapshot. Therefore, it is necessary that both cards have the same speed.
• SD speed has already caught up with CF. Therefore, there is no need to overpay when buying a CF device.
• Often the speed of SD is even higher than that of CF. For example, SanDisk Extreme Pro has a speed of 280 megabytes per second, but from the same manufacturer the maximum speed of CF is only 160 megabytes per second.
• Always check the card for faults when purchasing. In front of the seller, open the device, insert it into the camera and take a few test shots. Next, delete them and format the flash drive. Repeat the process several times. If everything went without any problems, you can safely purchase this device.
• Do not remove the device from the camera while it is turned on.
• Use a model where the manufacturer guarantees protection against X-rays.
• The most reliable models are produced by companies such as SanDisk, Kingston, Samsung and Transcend.
• If you cannot write data to a flash device, the reason may be that it is blocked. In order to unlock a memory card, on a modern camera you just need to move the lever. Next to it is the inscription “Lock”.

To sum it up, we can say that the faster the device, the better. However, it is worth remembering that the difference between 45 and 90 megabytes per second is not that significant and there is no point in overpaying. As for the volume, the right choice will depend on the size of the resulting images.

Time to buy!

To avoid guessing when choosing a flash card, pay attention to its technical characteristics:

• Form factor (SD, SMS, etc.).
• Capacity (in gigabytes).
• Speed.

And evaluate how much it is:

1. externally reliable (body);
2. energy-consuming;
3. has the required volume;
4. has good file access speed.

My first experience buying a memory card for Nikon D3100 was negative. By relying on the knowledge of the store consultant, I made a clear mistake. My first, like my second, flash drive did not live up to expectations at all. Considering that the second one was high class.

Only third time lucky! On the advice of a friend, I ordered a 32 GB, class 10 flash drive from Transcend. The camera just flies with it! Therefore, I can advise you not to despair right away if the equipment freezes a lot, because the problem may just be a bad flash drive.

Choose a flash drive according to your needs and camera level. So, if you have a Nikon D5200, which has an excellent ability to make high-quality large-format video, then the memory card should be large and of the highest quality.

For the Nikon D3300, which is a continuation of the D3200, a standard middle-class flash drive is quite suitable. You don't even have to buy a card from the same company as the camera. Although some argue that, for example, for a Canon camera you need to choose a card more carefully and not all are suitable.

I think the whole point is in the camera itself: if it is professional and expensive, naturally, the flash drive should not be worse, that is, cheap and with low speed. Give preference to well-known and trusted brands that can guarantee quality - Sony, Kingston, Transcend and others.