Best overall		Sony 512GB CFexpress Type B Tough Memory Card		SEE IT	It offers consistently fast speeds and is very rugged.
Fastest		Lexar Diamond Series Professional 256GB CFexpress Type-B		SEE IT	The fastest card for data hungry cameras.
Best Type A		ProGrade Digital 160GB CFexpress Type A Cobalt Memory Card		SEE IT	The best option for Sony users.

CFexpress cards have quickly become the storage media of choice. They offer much faster speeds than SD, XQD, or CompactFlash. CFexpress cards also come in larger capacities than other memory cards, making them ideal for cameras that produce excessive amounts of data in the form of high-quality video or high-resolution photographs. Of course, they come at a high cost, but the best CFexpress cards provide better performance and allow you to get the most out of high-specced cameras. 

• Best overall: Sony 512GB CFexpress Type B Tough Memory Card
• Fastest: Lexar Diamond Series Professional 256GB CFexpress Type-B
• Best Type A: ProGrade Digital 160GB CFexpress Type A Cobalt Memory Card
• Best Type B: SanDisk 512GB Extreme PRO CFexpress Card Type B
• Best large capacity: Angelbird AV PRO CFexpress MK2 Type B Card – 4 TB
• Best budget: SanDisk 64GB Extreme PRO CFexpress Card Type B

How we picked the best CFexpress cards

The writers and editors have been involved in the photography industry for decades. During that time, we have seen dramatic changes in the memory card field, with multiple new card formats introduced and ever faster and larger storage options available. Throughout our careers, we have used cards by just about every manufacturer.

When selecting the best CFexpress cards, we prioritized read and write speed. We also chose a variety of storage capacities to suit different types of shooters. And lastly, durability was a key consideration, as cards this expensive should be able to stand up to some harsh conditions.

The best CFexpress cards: Ratings & recommendations

CFexpress cards come with blazing-fast speeds and large capacities. That makes them ideal for photographers and videographers who produce large files and lots of them. The options below should fit the needs of just about anyone looking for a CFexpress card, including someone looking for a more budget-friendly option.

Best overall: Sony 512GB CFexpress Type B Tough Memory Card

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Why it made the cut: Sony’s Tough line of CFexpress Type B cards provide consistent speeds in a highly durable package.

Specs

• Max read speed: 1,700 MB/s
• Max write speed: ​​1,480 MB/s
• Storage capacity: 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB

Pros

• Provides very consistent speeds
• Highly durable to withstand 15-foot falls
• Protected against extreme temperatures, X-rays, electrostatic, and UV lighting
• Compatible with apps to recover files and track condition

Cons

• Only available in three storage capacities

Sony’s CFexpress Type B cards are some of the most well-rounded cards available, earning them our top spot. Lab testing resulted in read speeds of up to 1,700 MB/s and write speeds of up to 1,480 MB/s. Of course, you won’t be able to get those speeds in practice, but real-world speeds are also near the top of the pack across the board. Its burst shooting numbers are a bit below the competition, but it’s still plenty fast for everything other than the heaviest bursts. It offers consistency and reliability, two crucial features of a CFexpress card.

Beyond speed, Sony designed its cards to be, as the name says, tough. They can withstand falls up to 15 feet and have been rigidity tested to 70 newtons of force. Sony says they are three times stronger than the CFexpress standard for bending. They can also withstand extreme temperatures, X-rays, electrostatic, and intense UV light. Even if you are an expedition photographer, these cards will hold up to some serious abuse.

All memory cards have a finite number of write cycles and eventually fail. But, with these Sony cards, you’ll get access to Sony’s Media Scan Utility. Once downloaded to your computer, it can scan a card to tell you its condition, so you don’t shoot on a card nearing or at its end.

Fastest: Lexar Diamond Series Professional 256GB CFexpress Type-B

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Why it made the cut: Lexar’s newest card provides the fastest burst shooting results of any CFexpress.

Specs

• Max read speed: 1,900 MB/s
• Max write speed: 1,700 MB/s
• Storage capacity: 128GB or 256GB

Pros

• Extremely fast read and write speeds
• Shock, vibration, and temperature proof
• Supports smooth 8K video

Cons

• Expensive

Lexar recently released this Diamond Series card, with bold claims of it being the fastest CFexpress ever. It states that you’ll get 1,900 MB/s max read speeds, 1,700 MB/s max write speeds, and a minimum sustained write speed of 1,600 MB/s. Unsurprisingly, those numbers don’t hold up in testing done by PetaPixel. Other cards have faster peak and sustained read and write speeds, but it still is very near the top of the pack. 

Where this card does beat out all the competition is in burst performance. It can shoot at the Canon R5’s highest burst setting for just over 30 seconds before the buffer limit slows it down, which is nearly double any other card. So if you are photographing sports or fast-moving wildlife, this will be the card to use because of its burst capabilities. 

Finally, this Lexar card meets the Compact Flash Association’s qualifications for VPG 400 certification. That means it has a minimum sustained write speed of 400 MB/s and can keep up with even the most professional cinema video cameras.

Best Type A: ProGrade Digital 160GB CFexpress Type A Cobalt Memory Card

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Why it made the cut: It offers fast read and write speeds at lower prices than the Sony alternative.

Specs

• Max read speed: ​​800 MB/s
• Max write speed: 700 MB/s
• Storage capacity: 160GB

Pros

• Resistant to temperature extremes, shock, vibration, and X-rays
• Fast and reliable speeds
• Metal casing provides better thermal conductivity for less overheating

Cons

• Only available in 160GB

When Sony released the a7S III, it also introduced a new card type—the CFexpress Type A. The later-released a1 also utilized this new memory card. Sony was the only company producing the CFexpress Type A for a bit, but ProGrade entered the market to provide an alternative. Though the Prograde version is still not cheap by any means, it is more affordable than Sony’s, saving you some money.

Despite the lower price, ProGrade’s CFexpress Type A has the same advertised speeds as Sony’s. It has a stated max read speed of 800 MB/s and max write speed of 700 MB/s. And in-camera results show that these two cards perform nearly the same. It is also highly durable and can survive extreme temperatures, heavy vibrations, shocks, and X-rays. 

Best Type B: SanDisk 512GB Extreme PRO CFexpress Card Type B

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Why it made the cut: SanDisk’s CFexpress Extreme PRO card provides a lifetime warranty and excellent performance at lower prices than its competitors.

Specs

• Max read speed: 1,700 MB/s
• Max write speed: 1,400 MB/s
• Storage capacity: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

Pros

• More affordable than other options
• Lifetime warranty
• Can record raw 4K video
• Compatible with SanDisk’s data recovery software

Cons

• 64GB capacity has lower read/write speeds

SanDisk has long been one of the staples in the memory card industry, and its CFexpress Type B card continues that tradition. Like all cards, it won’t reach the promised 1,700 MB/s read or 1,400 MB/s write speeds, but it has shown to be near the top of the pack across all measurements in user testing. So you’ll get plenty fast speeds across the board and excellent burst performance as well.

It’s capable of raw 4K recording, making it suitable for cinematographers. And it’s backward compatible with select XQD cameras, as long as a firmware update has been provided. With this SanDisk card, you’ll be able to utilize its RescuePRO Deluxe data recovery software, which is useful for situations where you accidentally delete files prematurely. SanDisk also offers a lifetime warranty, giving you some peace of mind.

Best large capacity: Angelbird AV PRO CFexpress MK2 Type B Card – 4 TB

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Why it made the cut: If storage capacity is the most important thing to you, Angelbird’s 4TB card provides more room than any other CFexpress card. 

Specs

• Max read speed: 1,785 MB/s
• Max write speed: 1,550 MB/s
• Storage capacity: 1TB, 2TB, 4TB

Pros

• Huge storage capacity
• Can capture up to 12K+ video
• Protected against shock, vibration, overheating, and temperature from 14 to 158°F
• Purchase includes hardware and software data recovery within the 3-year warranty

Cons

• Very expensive

Many CFexpress cards top out at 512GB of storage, with a few offering 2TB. Angelbird brought something new to the table with its massive 4TB card. It offers more storage space than anything else available at the time of writing. 

The large storage makes it a great choice for high-end video work that produces large files. And it goes beyond just storage size to support lofty projects with heavy data needs. Angelbird promises minimum sustained read and write speeds of 1,785 MB/s and 1,300 MB/s, respectively. It also says it’s capable of 17,850 MB/s and 1,550 MB/s of maximum read and write speeds. 

It supports 12K+ raw video recording, making this card a good investment as video quality continues to increase. And investment it is, thanks to the high price point. But, you’ll get free hardware and software data recovery within the 3-year warranty period. And if you register your card within 30 days, you’ll get a lifetime warranty. 

Best budget: SanDisk 64GB Extreme PRO CFexpress Card Type B

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Why it made the cut: This SanDisk 64GB CFexpress Type B card is the most affordable option that is still high-quality and trustworthy.

Specs

• Max read speed: 1,500MB/s
• Max write speed: 800MB/s
• Storage capacity: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

Pros

• Comparatively affordable
• Good read/write speeds
• Backwards compatible with some XQD cameras

Cons

• Write speeds aren’t as fast as other options

Unfortunately, CFexpress cards are the most expensive memory cards as they are the newest variety and offer the fastest speeds. But this 64GB card from SanDisk is much more affordable than other options. And despite the lower price, it comes from a trusted company, so it’s less likely you’ll have a card failure and lose all of your images. The 64GB is the cheapest option, but if you need a larger capacity, the other sizes are also more affordable than the rest of the cards on this list. 

SanDisk’s card is compatible with raw 4K video, making it suitable for videographers and vloggers. Should something unfortunate happen, SanDisk offers a limited lifetime warranty. You’ll also have access to free RescuePRO Deluxe data recovery software in case you need to recover files that you accidentally delete.

This CFexpress card offers read speeds up to 1,500MB/s, which is slower than all but the CFexpress Type A card, though not by much. Unfortunately, the write speed is where things dip as a result of the lower price. But 800MB/s is still plenty fast for most people, and the price makes it an enticing alternative.

Things to consider before buying a CFexpress card

CFexpress cards have quickly become the new standard, and more companies have entered the already crowded memory card field. Even Nikon is making CFexpress cards now. But, as with any camera gear decision, the first step is considering the type of shooting you will be doing. For example, if you primarily shoot video, you’ll likely want a card with a large capacity and fast speeds. But if you mainly shoot portraits, you can get away with slower speeds and lower storage capacity, saving you some money. 

It’s worth pointing out that while there are lots of CFexpress options available, the differences between them are small. You might get ever so slightly faster speeds from one over another, but because they are all so fast already unless you are pushing your camera—and memory card—to the limits, you likely won’t pick up on that. You can’t go wrong with any of these cards or many of the other CFexpress offerings not listed here. Instead, the key factor is simply if the card is compatible with your camera.

Type A versus Type B

Deciding between Type A and Type B cards comes down to what camera you use, as they will only be compatible with one type. So, look at your camera’s specs to verify which type of card it can use and double-check the CFexpress type before purchasing one. 

Type B cards are the same size as XQD memory cards, meaning you can use them in cameras that accept XQD, though usually only with a firmware update. Type B is also faster than Type A. Even though it seems like it would be the opposite, Type B is the more mainstream card choice at this point in time (yes, B came before A), with more cameras able to use them, and thus most people should look for a Type B.

Sony is the only camera maker that is currently utilizing Type A cards. They are smaller than Type B, so they are not cross-compatible. 

Storage capacity

All memory cards have a finite amount of storage and will come in a variety of storage capacity options. How big of a card you need depends on the kind of content you create, the file sizes from your camera, and how often you’d like to change your card. 

8K video will require more space than shooting a handful of JPEG files, for example. And, the file sizes from an APS-C camera will be much smaller than the Sony a1, meaning you won’t need as much storage space. And lastly, some like to use multiple small cards and swap them out more frequently as protection should a card fail, while others like a single card with loads of storage to keep from needing to change them out. This is a matter of personal preference and shooting style, so simply choose what makes the most sense for you.

Read & write speed

CFexpress cards are the fastest memory cards available at this time, but they still vary in how fast they can open (read) or save (write) data. Some brands even offer multiple levels of CFexpress cards intended for different types of shooters. 

While the general speed of even the base level of CFexpress cards is plenty fast for the average user, some situations call for the fastest speeds. For example, if you are a videographer shooting 8K video or a sports photographer relying on quick and long bursts of action, you’ll want to look for top-tier cards with faster read and write speeds. 

It’s important to note that the speeds listed on the packaging will not be the same as what you’ll actually get. This is because those speeds are based on lab testing by manufacturers and are not real-world results. In fact, some throttle write speed to around 300 MB/s to prevent overheating.

Camera compatibility

The last piece of the puzzle, though perhaps the most important, is whether the card will even work with your camera. Cameras can only utilize specific card formats, or sometimes they accept two different ones. 

Lastly, some cameras will only be able to accept certain lines from manufacturers. For example, The Canon R5 can use ProGrade’s Cobalt line but not the Gold cards. Be sure to research and verify which type of memory card works with your camera before purchasing, especially since CFexpress cards are quite pricey.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best CFexpress cards

• Best overall: Sony 512GB CFexpress Type B Tough Memory Card
• Fastest: Lexar Diamond Series Professional 256GB CFexpress Type-B
• Best Type A: ProGrade Digital 160GB CFexpress Type A Cobalt Memory Card
• Best Type B: SanDisk 512GB Extreme PRO CFexpress Card Type B
• Best large capacity: Angelbird AV PRO CFexpress MK2 Type B Card – 4 TB
• Best budget: SanDisk 64GB Extreme PRO CFexpress Card Type B

CFexpress cards are the newest option for camera memory cards but have already become the default choice for pros and serious enthusiasts alike. They upped the game in terms of quick read and write speeds and large storage capacity, but with that comes a high price. These cards are an investment but will help you get the most out of your data-hungry cameras.

Why trust us

PopPhoto has a long history of delivering the opinions of some of the sharpest and most prolific camera dorks the world has to offer. Since 1937, we’ve been reviewing cameras, providing wisdom from well-known photographers, and generally just nerding out about all that goes into making great pictures. Our current crop of writers and editors have decades of professional photography and camera writing experience among them. Collectively, we’ve probably shot with just about every camera and lens combo you can imagine—as well as some obscure stuff you may not even know about. Remember the Casio Tryx folding camera? PopPhoto does.

We also get that buying a camera is a big decision, which is why we’re dedicated to helping folks choose the right one (or, in our case “ones”) for their needs. Case in point: Handing over top dollar for an expensive rig may leave you unsatisfied if it doesn’t fit your preferred shooting style. Sure, a $6,000 sports-oriented DSLR can capture landscapes, but do you really need to do it at 30 frames-per-second? No, you don’t.

The post The best CFexpress cards for 2023 appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best SDXC card		SanDisk 200GB Ultra microSDXC		SEE IT
Best SDHC card		SAMSUNG EVO Select Micro SD Memory Card		SEE IT
Best class ten		PNY 1TB PRO Elite		SEE IT

With smart technology-enabled cameras getting smaller, more powerful, and more affordable, even the most casual weekend photographers can fly a camera in the sky to survey the landscape, or film their latest mountain bike trail with powerful 360 action cameras. Smaller devices allow people to easily carry cameras with them at all times and capture the world in new ways. These high definition videos captured by smartphone, drone, or action cameras need solutions to store their incredible images. SD cards, or secure digital cards, are used to store and transfer data. The micro SD card performs the same function but accomplishes the task in a physically smaller form (a micro SD card is incredibly only the size of your fingertip). The range of storage capabilities and speed that micro SD cards deliver is surprisingly impressive as well. Understanding the difference between SD cards, and the memory and speed necessary will help you select the best micro SD card for your storage needs.

• Best SDXC card: SanDisk 200GB Ultra microSDXC
• Best SDHC card: SAMSUNG EVO Select Micro SD Memory Card
• Best class ten: PNY 1TB PRO Elite
• Best SanDisk: SanDisk 128GB MicroSDXC
• Best compact flash: Lexar Professional CompactFlash card
• Best budget: SAMSUNG: EVO Select 128GB MicroSDXC

The best MicroSD cards: Reviews & Recommendations

Best SDXC card: SanDisk 200GB Ultra microSDXC

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This is a great moderately priced choice for storing and transferring up to 200 GB of HD video imaging. It’s an ideal choice for MIL cameras as well as tablets and smartphones. Up to 100MB/s transfer speed allows for quick transfer of files to your computer.

Best SDHC card: SAMSUNG EVO Select Micro SD Memory Card

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This well priced micro SDHC card comes with a full-size SD card adapter. The Class 10 speed and read-write speeds up to 95MB/s make this a great choice for use with 4K and HD videos and HD photography. While it’s ideal for basic use, this might not be your best option for longer duration videos.

Best class 10: PNY 1TB PRO Elite

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This micro SDXC card is designed to process and capture 4K video, and can be used in cameras, drones, and smartphones, as well as computers. Built tough, the card can withstand magnets, water, and extreme temperature changes. A good choice for reliable transfer and recordings of your 4K videos.

Best SanDisk: SanDisk 128GB MicroSDXC

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While advertised for use with Nintendo Switch systems, this micro SD card is well-reviewed for speed and reliability and can be used in any device that is compatible with micro SDXC cards. The device includes a BlueProton USB 3.0 Micro SDXC/SDXC card reader for easy transfer of games, photos, or videos.

Best compact: Lexar Professional CompactFlash card

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This durable, reliable compact flash card offers 128 GB of storage capacity and a UDMA rating of 7, which are fast and a good choice for your photography and video capturing. Compatible with DSLR cameras, HD camcorders, and 3D cameras, this memory card can capture HD images as well as 4K video. An image rescue software is included to install on your computer or laptop in case files have been erased.

Best budget: SAMSUNG: EVO Select 128GB MicroSDXC

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This cheap micro SDXC card offers 128 GB of storage, and a class 10 speed with a minimum sustained write speed of 30 MB per second. This all adds up to a card made for recording your 4K or HD videos without any visible lagging or buffering. Waterproof, X-ray proof, and temperature-proof design will help elongate the life of this card.

Things to consider when shopping for the best micro SD cards

In order to choose the best micro SD card for your photography, you need to understand the appropriate size and speeds required for the camera and the task, as well as familiarize yourself with the different options available to you. We’ve selected some of the best micro SD cards currently on the market for your consideration.

If you want to store large files and photos, consider a micro SDXC card

When you’ll be taking a lot of photos and shooting HD video, or you anticipate needing a lot of storage on your micro SD card-capable devices, you may want to look for a micro SDXC card. The best micro SDXC cards were designed specifically to handle the storage demands of high-definition 4K recording, which inherently require a large storage capacity to take on the file sizes created by such a high resolution. SDXC stands for “extended capacity” secure digital and can store up to 2 terabytes (2000 GB).

It’s important to check the compatibility of your device with micro SDXC cards. For example, the Nintendo Switch is able to use newer micro SDXC cards as well as older SD or SDHC cards. Within the micro SDXC card market, you have a range of storage—from 32GB to 2TB. The best micro SDXC card will allow for plenty of storage for your HD photos and video and will come with an SD adapter to allow for easy transfer to your computer. A 200 GB micro SDXC card should be able to hold over half an hour of 4K video, and about two hours of HD video.

For HD video & better performance, consider a micro SDHC card

Micro SDHC cards offer a storage capacity up to 32 gigabytes. Unlike a micro SD card, which simply refers to small (physical size) secure digital, the micro SDHC stands for small (physical size) high capacity secure digital. The best micro SDHC cards offer extra storage, which is really handy when storing HD video and photos. Often you will find these micro SDHC cards used in tablets, smartphones, drones, and action cameras.

Be sure to check your device’s compatibility with this SDHC format. The best micro SDHC cards will offer a class 10 speed, making it ideal for 4K videos. This is a middle-of-the-range storage device, as it does not hold as much data as the SDXC cards, but more than a micro SD card. The micro SDHC card is fully capable of handling high definition, and the midrange level of data storage also means that these are generally very affordable. To help determine if this card is a good fit for your uses, know that a 32 GB micro SDHC card will be able to hold approximately 8 minutes of 4K video, or 26 minutes of HD video. If shorter videos and photos are your main use, this is a good, affordable micro SD card option.

Consider SD card classes before buying

Another important factor to consider is SD card classes. The best micro SD cards will provide a consistent and reliable fast write speed which will help your device to perform at its best. The SD Association has developed a system of speed classes that detail the minimum sequential write speed. Speed classes help determine the speed you need for various devices including standard video, HD video, 4K video, as well as 8K video. Always be sure to check with your camera to see what card classes are compatible.

SD card classes are represented by symbols that show the write speed rate per second. For example, the C10 symbol references the Class 10, which means the minimum sustained write speed is 10MB per second. This speed will allow for use with 4K video, HD video, as well as standard video. Similarly, the U1 or U3 speed class symbols show minimum write speeds. For example, a U1 means that the card will never write slower than 10MB per second. Most recently, the SD Association has also included a Video Speed Class represented on your card as V6, V10, V30, V60, and V90. This speed rating system helps you select the right speed for your video recordings. The fastest cards in this system will work for 8K video.

You can’t go wrong with a reliable flash memory brand

When deciding on which micro SD card to purchase, another important factor to consider is the brand or manufacturer. The best micro SD cards are produced by a reliable brand that has years of experience in this space. In fact, the company that first invented the micro SD format was SanDisk. The SD Association accepted and named this format in 200, and a year later, SanDisk offered the micro SD card to the public.

In the years following, many additional companies have started producing reliable micro SD cards. As the technology cards’ speed and storage capacity has increased, the prices for the older cards have decreased. Additional brands with good reputations to consider are Samsung, Lexar, Kingston, and PNY.

There’s a great solution for cameras that don’t support a micro SD card

If your camera doesn’t support a micro SD card, another great option for compact storage is a CF card, also known as a Compact Flash card. The best compact flash memory card will be durable, have a fast write speed, and hold a large capacity of files. Professional cameras will be compatible with either SD or CF memory cards—although some cameras offer multiple types of memory card slots, so it’s important to review your manual to ensure you are selecting the compatible card for your device.

One major difference between SD, micro SD, and Compact Flash is size. The CF card will be the largest of these memory cards. However, many professional cameras also can be larger in size, so these cards wouldn’t seem out of place in terms of scale. CF cards have been on the market longer than SD and micro SD cards and they are known for their durability. Similar to micro SD cards, CF cards are available in different speeds and storage capacities. Selecting the correct size and speed depends upon the type of image and video you will be shooting.

Best micro SD card on a budget: What you can get for under $20

Luckily, in the years since micro SD cards have been on the market, the price has come down to more reasonable levels across the board. For most general uses you can get a reliable, fast micro SD card with enough memory to handle your imaging on a budget. The higher cost micro SD cards are geared more towards professional level 4K video, and those who need the space for many hours of footage. The best micro SD card for less will have a class 10 speed, and plenty of room to store your files.

FAQs

A final word on shopping for the best micro SD cards

• Best SDXC card: SanDisk 200GB Ultra microSDXC
• Best SDHC card: SAMSUNG EVO Select Micro SD Memory Card
• Best class ten: PNY 1TB PRO Elite
• Best SanDisk: SanDisk 128GB MicroSDXC
• Best compact flash: Lexar Professional CompactFlash card
• Best budget: SAMSUNG: EVO Select 128GB MicroSDXC

Micro SD cards have evolved to offer very powerful speed and storage for your smaller camera, drone, or smart device. The best micro SD cards will be durable, offer high-capacity storage, and fast write speeds for seamless capture and transfer of your high-definition imaging.

Why trust us

PopPhoto has a long history of delivering the opinions of some of the sharpest and most prolific camera dorks the world has to offer. Since 1937, we’ve been reviewing cameras, providing wisdom from well-known photographers, and generally just nerding out about all that goes into making great pictures. Our current crop of writers and editors have decades of professional photography and camera writing experience among them. Collectively, we’ve probably shot with just about every camera and lens combo you can imagine—as well as some obscure stuff you may not even know about. Remember the Casio Tryx folding camera? PopPhoto does.

We also get that buying a camera is a big decision, which is why we’re dedicated to helping folks choose the right one (or, in our case “ones”) for their needs. Case in point: Handing over top dollar for an expensive rig may leave you unsatisfied if it doesn’t fit your preferred shooting style. Sure, a $6,000 sports-oriented DSLR can capture landscapes, but do you really need to do it at 30 frames-per-second? No, you don’t.

The post The best Micro SD cards of 2023 appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Memory cards are one thing you can never have too many of as a photographer or videographer. It’s good to always have extras on hand when shooting, and you probably have some that should be retired at this point to be safe. While the price of SD cards has come down significantly, it’s still nice to save money on them since they aren’t exactly exciting or fun to buy. PNY has been one of the most trusted memory card brands for a long time, and right now, you can take advantage of these PNY Prime Day deals to save on a variety of capacities of SD and microSD cards.

All of these Prime Day deals require an active Amazon Prime Membership. You can sign up here for a free 30-day trial.

PNY 512GB EliteX-PRO60 UHS-II SDXC Memory Card – $74.99 (was $124.99)

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These PNY cards offer read speeds up to 280MB/s and write speeds up to 150MB/s, making them suitable for professional photographers. They are Class 10, U3 rated with V60 video speed, which means they are compatible with 4K video and high-speed burst photography. And they are rugged cards, built to be magnet, shock, temperature, and waterproof.

Even more PNY Prime Day deals

SD cards

• 64GB EliteX-PRO90 Class 10 U3 V90 UHS-II SDXC Flash Memory Card $41.99 (was $59.99)
• 512GB PRO Elite Class 10 U3 V30 SDXC Flash Memory Card $41.99 (was $60.99)
• PNY 512GB Elite-X Class 10 U3 V30 SDXC Flash Memory Card $39.99 (was $54.99)
• PNY 128GB EliteX-PRO60 UHS-II SDXC Memory Card $21.99 (was $32.88)
• PNY 256GB EliteX-PRO60 UHS-II SDXC Memory Card $39.99 (was $61.99)

MicroSD cards

• PNY 512GB PRO Elite Class 10 U3 V30 microSDXC Flash Memory Card $34.99 (was $49.99)
• XLR8 512GB Gaming Class 10 U3 V30 microSDXC Flash Memory Card $33.99 (was $44.99)
• PNY 64GB Premier-X Class 10 U3 V30 microSDXC Flash Memory Card 5-Pack $20.99 (was $29.99)

More Prime Day deals

• CleverMade storage
• GoPro cameras
• Rokinon and Samyang camera and lenses
• Sony cameras and lenses
• Kodak and HP portable printers
• Nixplay digital picture frames
• Arzopa portable monitors
• Polaroid cameras and printers
• FLIR thermal cameras

The post Amazon Prime Day Deals on PNY memory cards appeared first on Popular Photography.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Memory cards may not be the first things that come to mind when you think of Samsung. However, it has been making the devices since the early 2000s. In fact, the tech giant makes quite a variety of both SD and microSD cards. And it has just announced the newest cards in its lineup, an updated version of the PRO Plus memory cards. Both the SD and microSD versions offer a video speed class rating of V30. And Samsung promises faster speeds, making them compatible with 4K ultra-high definition recording.

Samsung PRO Plus SD

The PRO Plus SDXC is a UHS-I card with U3 and V30 speed class ratings. It’s compatible with most cameras that use SD cards, including DSLRs, mirrorless, and compact cameras, though always be sure to verify them. Samsung promises read speeds up to 180 MB/s, which is a 12 percent increase over the previous version of the PRO Plus SD. It should offer write speeds up to 130 MB/s, which is an eight percent increase from its predecessor.

Samsung builds in serious protection for its cards, helping them last longer. They are protected against shock, water, extreme temperatures, x-ray, wear out, drops, and magnet impact. It’s also protected by a ten-year limited warranty.

Pricing & availability

The PRO Plus SD is available in multiple capacities: 64GB for $12.99, 128GB for $21.99, and 256GB for $37.99. You can also bundle the 128GB card with Samsung’s card reader for $29.99 or get the 256GB card with the card reader for $49.99.

Samsung PRO Plus microSD

The PRO Plus microSD is truly just a smaller version of the SD card. It offers the same UHS-I interface with U3 and V30 speed class ratings. And it features the same read and write speeds of 180 MB/s and 130 MB/s, respectively. Like the SD card, the read speed is a 12 percent increase while the write speed is eight percent faster than the previous PRO Plus microSD. It would work well in action cameras, drones, mobile devices, and even gaming consoles.

Pricing & availability

The Samsung PRO Plus microSD is available in even larger capacities than the SD. The 128GB version is priced at $18.99, 256GB at $29.99, and 512GB at $59.99. You can bundle each capacity with the card reader for $25.99, $37.99, and $64.99, respectively.

The post Samsung announces faster PRO Plus memory cards appeared first on Popular Photography.

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Best for GoPro Hero10 Black		Lexar 1066x Silver Series microSDXC		SEE IT	The GoPro Hero10 Black can only take cards that are V30, or UHS-III rated, which is why the Lexar 1066x Silver Series is perfect for this camera.
Best for GoPro Hero9 Black		SanDisk Extreme PRO microSDXC		SEE IT	The SanDisk Extreme Pro range is perfect for any GoPro camera, from the amateur to the professional users, and any situation or setting.
Best GoPro Hero7 Silver		Samsung Evo Plus		SEE IT	Samsung cards are renowned for their exceptional build quality, offering peace of mind for the hardiest of adventurers.

GoPros have provided some of the most amazing action camera footage in the last decade. From Felix Baumgartner’s stunning stratosphere jump in 2012 to the men that “raced the tube” in London. They allow us to see things that we otherwise would not be able to (or, in my case, too scared to). Having a GoPro is one thing, but you need to have the right memory cards to ensure your footage is as good as possible. You don’t want to be jumping off a cliff edge only to realize your card can’t handle the 1080p or 4k setting and therefore have no evidence of such a fantastic feat. The best SD cards for GoPros enable these little cameras to work at their limits.

• Best for GoPro Hero10 Black: Lexar 1066x Silver Series microSDXC
• Best for GoPro Hero9 Black: SanDisk Extreme PRO microSDXC
• Best for GoPro Max: PNY PRO Elite microSDXC
• Best for GoPro Hero7 Silver: Samsung Evo Plus
• Best for GoPro Hero6 Black: SanDisk Extreme SDXC
• Best for GoPro Hero5 Black: Kingston Canvas Select Plus microSD

How we picked the best SD cards for GoPros

We thought a lot about what you’d need when using your GoPro. Ultimately, those who buy them are usually doing some adventure sport or point-of-view videos, so the ability to record and transfer quality video is critical. They’re more likely to use higher quality settings, faster frame rates, and other things that will affect the size of the file. Therefore, the best SD cards for GoPros we’ve chosen are tailored toward those that need that extra bit of support from their memory cards.

In addition, we’ve tried to select a range of GoPro cameras from the last five years rather than the newest models to help those who either currently own a GoPro or is interested in purchasing one.

The best SD cards for GoPros: Reviews & Recommendations

Best for GoPro Hero10 Black: Lexar 1066x Silver Series microSDXC

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Why it made the cut: The GoPro Hero10 Black can only take cards that are V30, or UHS-III rated, which is why the Lexar 1066x Silver Series is one of the best SD cards for GoPros and is perfect for this camera. With read and write speeds of 160MB/s and 120MB/s, respectively, it will handle the highest quality settings the Hero10 Black can offer. 

Key features

• Read speeds: Up to 160MB/s
• Write speeds: Up to 120MB/s
• Storage options: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB
• Speed Classes: U3, V30, UHS-I

Pros

• Fast read and write speeds
• GoPro Hero10 Black compatible
• Rugged build

Cons

• Write speed limited on 64GB

The GoPro Hero10 Black, which came out in 2021, is GoPro’s current flagship camera. It can shoot up to 5.3K at 60fps, so you need a fast memory card to keep up with it. Bear in mind that the GoPro Hero10 Black can only take microSD cards with V30 or UHS-III, so you cannot use a card that is slower than this. 

Therefore, the Lexar Silver Series is ideal for the GoPro Hero10 Black and for situations where you need to transfer videos quickly, such as at a sporting event where you need to promptly submit the video for media outlets. 

Lexar memory cards are of high quality and designed for high-speed performance in various devices. They are thoroughly tested and designed to be water, shock, vibration, and X-Ray proof. Unfortunately, the write speed drops to up to 70MB/s when using the 64GB sized card, so if you are going for the smaller storage option, that your write speed will not be as fast as the larger options. 

Best for GoPro Hero9 Black: SanDisk Extreme PRO microSDXC

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Why it made the cut: With read speeds of 170MB/s, the SanDisk Extreme Pro range is perfect for any GoPro camera, from the amateur to the professional users, and any situation or setting. 

Key features

• Read speeds: Up to 170MB/s
• Write speeds: Up to 90MB/s
• Storage options: 32GB, 256GB, 400GB, 512GB and 1TB
• Speed Classes: U3, V30, UHS-I

Pros

• Fast read and write speeds
• Rugged build
• Great warranty protection
• Low cost

Cons

• Read speed limited on certain devices

SanDisk is one of the most popular memory card manufacturers in the world. They are very reliable and durable, with the Extreme PRO range being shock-proof, temperature-proof, water-proof, and x-ray-proof. SanDisk’s warranty varies between products and when you purchased it but, it’s generally around 5 years and the process is very simple. If, in the unlikely event your card does corrupt, then knowing that SanDisk is there to support you makes everything a littleless stressful.

The SanDisk Extreme PRO range is Sandisk’s top of the range of memory cards and is designed for users that require the highest quality and speeds. This means that you can shoot up to 8K effectively and efficiently without worry. They are also reasonably priced so you won’t need to break the bank just to purchase one. 

The only downside to this product is that most devices limit the UHS-I speeds to 104MB/s, so you won’t be able to fully use the 170MB/s read speed. However, devices are becoming more advanced, and the SanDisk Extreme PRO range is perfect to future-proof yourself, so it won’t be long before you will be able to utilize the card to its full ability. 

Best for GoPro Max: PNY PRO Elite microSDXC

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Why it made the cut: The PNY PRO Elite has storage options up to 1TB. That’s eight 128GB memory cards! If you are shooting long, continuous videos, such as cycling or security footage, this is the card for you.

Key features:

• Read speeds: Up to 100 MB/s
• Write speeds: Up to 90 MB/s
• Storage options: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB
• Speed Classes: C10, U3, V30, and UHS-I

Pros

• 4K and 8K ready
• Large storage options

Cons

• Not the fastest read and write speeds on the market

The PNY PRO Elite microSDXC is currently one of the largest microSD cards on the market. This means that you can shoot continuously on one card for longer. Larger storage options means not needing to constantly change cards, which is useful for a 360-degree camera because you can have it recording during a commute or as a security camera.

The transfer speeds aren’t the fastest on the market, though they’re not the slowest either. It doesn’t mean that it won’t work well on your GoPro, but it does mean a lot more waiting time, so if you’re in a rush to transfer cards to your computer, then this card is not for you.

Best GoPro Hero7 Silver: Samsung Evo Plus

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Why it made the cut: The Evo Plus has fast transfer speeds at a reasonable price. In addition, Samsung cards are renowned for their exceptional build quality, offering peace of mind for the hardiest of adventurers.

Key features:

• Read speeds: Up to 100MB/s
• Write speeds: Up to 90 MB/s
• Storage options: 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB
• Speed Classes: Class 10, U3, and UHS-I

Pros

• Perfect for 4K and 8K videos
• Rugged build
• Fast transfer speeds

Cons

• Limited storage capacity options

Fully protected through what Samsung calls “four-proof protection,” namely water-proof, temperature-proof, x-ray-proof, and magnet-proof, so you’ll be protected no matter what adventure sport you’re doing. Plus, fast transfer speeds allow you to continuously record no matter the subject. This enables you to shoot up to 8K and use your camera to its full ability. 

Best for GoPro Hero6 Black: SanDisk Extreme SDXC

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Why it made the cut: A variety of storage options, all the way up to 1TB, means that the SanDisk Extreme range gives a lot more flexibility to the user. 

Key features:

• Read speeds: Up to 160MB/s
• Write speeds: Up to 90MB/s
• Storage options: 32GB, 64GB, 126GB, 256GB, 400GB, 512GB, and 1TB
• Speed Classes: C10, U3, V30, and UHS-I

Pros

• Large storage options
• Fast read speeds

Cons

• Slower write speeds

The SanDisk range has an extensive range of storage options, which is perfect for the GoPro Hero6 Black. While the higher-end GoPros allow you to shoot in 4k and higher at a faster frame rate, the GoPro Hero6 Black is capable of 1080p at 240fps and at a lower cost than the newer models.  The high frame rate is great for slow-motion videos but will increase the amount of storage you use, so having a microSD card that has large storage capacities is very important. 

It’s also more suitable than the PNY range, mentioned above, because of the faster read speeds at 160MB/s as opposed to 100MB/s of the PNY range. But like the PNY range, the write speed is not that fast, though is still plenty for most users.

Best for GoPro Hero5 Black: Kingston Canvas Select Plus microSD

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Why it made the cut: Kingston is a good low-cost brand that comes in various storage options, which give you more freedom to choose. Good transfer speeds mean you can use this with the GoPro Hero5 in 1080p and 4k without any issue. 

Key features:

• Read speeds: Up to 100MB/s
• Write speeds: Up to 85MB/s
• Storage options: 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB
• Speed Classes: U1, V10, and UHS-I

Pros

• Low-cost
• Large storage options
• Durable build

Cons

• Slow speeds

Kingston memory cards are not as well known as SanDisk or Lexar, but they are still good cards that will do what you need when you need it. The Hero5 Black is an older model that sits in the middle of GoPro’s mid-range collection. You can still do 4K (at 30fps) and 1080p (at 120fps), but overall the quality is not as good as its newer siblings. This means you don’t really need the fastest transfer speeds. 100MB/s read and 85MB/s write is plenty for most users, so this card will do fine if you’re on a budget.  

Things to consider when searching for the best SD cards for GoPros

First things first, GoPros don’t take your standard SD card. So, the one you use in your DSLR will not fit into any GoPro. Instead, they take a smaller variation called microSD; you can find them in a lot of phones that allow additional memory storage. Of course, when purchasing any memory card, there are many things to think about. It is no different with GoPros, and there are specific things to consider, namely memory card capacity, write speed, speed, and video speed. Unfortunately, memory card terminology and classifications are generally written in symbols and can be quite confusing. Below you will find clarification on some of the most important specs.

Memory card capacity

How much storage your card can handle is necessary because video footage requires more storage space than photos, and higher-quality video will use up a significant amount of storage space. For example, 4K video uses approximately double the storage space 1080p does. Depending on your frame rate and other settings, an hour of video could easily use up 45GB of data in 4k, so you’ll need something that can hold that much footage. Card capacities go all the way up to 1TB (though 2TB cards are expected to be released soon). That is perfect for longer videos, but they are more expensive. Another thing to consider is that if they do corrupt then you’ll potentially lose everything stored on that one card. As a result, multiple smaller capacity cards could be better for keeping your files safe.

Write speed

As your GoPro records you swimming with sharks or BASE jumping off a skyscraper, your memory card needs to be able to keep up. It simply won’t record correctly or at all if it isn’t able to write the data as fast as you are recording it. There are six different speed classes, four for standard and HD use (on the memory card, they’re shown as a C with one of the below numbers next to it) and two Ultra High Speed (UHS) classes that were designed for 4K and higher (these are shown as a 1 or 3 inside a U). The following are the different classes and what they are appropriate for::

• Class 2: Normal videos and photos
• Class 4: HD videos
• Class 6: HD videos
• Class 10: Longer HD videos
• Class 1/U1: 4K (minimum write speeds of 10MB/s)
• Class 3/U3: 4K (minimum write speeds of 30MB/s)

It is also important to note that card manufacturers generally want to put the fastest speed on the card and will sometimes only include read speeds. Therefore, if you only see one number provided, typically speaking, it is the read speed, not the write speed. In fact, some manufacturers don’t provide the write speed at all, whereas some just require you to do some digging.

Read speeds

The next thing to consider is your read or transfer speed, also known as UHS Bus Interface or class. As mentioned above, your GoPro will use up a significant amount of data, whether recording in 1080p or 4k. In order to transfer it to your laptop, the read speed has to be fast; otherwise, you’ll be waiting for a very long time. Read speeds are shown as UHS-I, UHS-II, and UHS-III on cards or the display descriptions. The UHS speed class is like a car and the UHS Bus Class is the highway; the more bus interfaces or “roads” on the memory card (the gold strips at the back of the card), the more data or “cars” can transfer over. UHS-II and UHS-III have 2 rows of interfaces, which allow super-fast transfer speeds. 

Video speeds

Finally, we have the video speed. This is really for those shooting in 4K or higher. Essentially, they are shown as a V and a number next to it. The number represents the minimum write speed, so V6 (the slowest) is 6MB/s, while V90 (the fastest) is 90MB/s. The higher the number, the faster card. It’s also important to note that GoPro’s latest flagship camera, the Hero10 Black, cannot take anything less than V30 or UHS-III.

Budget and warranty

Other considerations include your budget and the brand. Some brands, such as SanDisk memory cards, offer a great warranty should your card corrupt or break. This happened to me, and I was able to quickly replace it with a like for like or similar card for free.

Now you know the importance of the various letters and numbers on memory cards, read on to find out our pick for the best microSD cards for GoPros.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best SD cards for GoPros

GoPros are so much fun when used correctly. With the above list of the best SD cards for GoPros, you’ll be able to utilize your camera to its full potential. There’s no point buying a Ferrari and replacing the wheels with a cheaper option that won’t handle the power. It’s also important to remember what you intend to use the camera for. If it’s simple home or travel videos then you probably won’t need V90 or U3, as having the best quality likely isn’t as important. Whereas if you’re using it to shoot a movie, amateur or professional, you’d most likely want or need the fastest speeds. In addition, if you intend to use your camera to record long continuous videos, such as sporting events, a larger capacity might be more recommended as opposed to short clips of holiday footage, where it might be easier to change memory cards when one reaches capacity.

The post The best SD cards for GoPros of 2023 appeared first on Popular Photography.

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Hard drives and memory cards are a bit like candy to us photographers. They are great to always have on hand, and keeping a stash of them is never a bad idea. And it’s not uncommon for us to buy some storage devices even when we don’t really need them at that moment. 

Black Friday is probably the best time to stock up on hard drives and memory cards. You’ll find steep discounts across brands, product types, and storage amounts. We’ve scoured Amazon to find the best deals so you can take advantage of the savings. Whether you are buying for yourself or getting some gifts for photographers, you’re sure to find something in the list below.

Lexar Professional CFexpress 128GB Type-B Card $108.99 (was $199.99)

CFexpress cards are becoming more common in new camera releases. That’s because they are faster and offer larger storage capacities than alternative memory card types. But, as a result of that, they are also the most expensive storage media. Luckily, this Lexar CFexpress Type-B is $189 off during Black Friday. It provides 128GB of storage with 1750MB/s read speeds and 1000MB/s write speeds.

SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD $149.99 (was $459.99)

Having oodles of hard drive space is another essential for photographers. We love these SanDisk Extreme Portable SSDs as a portable solution because they are tiny yet extremely durable. They are also fast enough that you can work on photos directly from the drive if you need to, which is very convenient.

Lexar hard drives and memory cards Black Friday deals:

• Lexar Professional 512GB CFexpress Type B Memory Card $479.94 (was $599.99) 
• Lexar Professional 1667x 128GB SDXC UHS-II Card $29.99 (was $49.99)
• Lexar Professional 1667x 64GB (2-Pack) SDXC UHS-II Cards $42.49 (was $64.99)
• Lexar Professional 2000x 32GB SDHC UHS-II Card $36.99 (was $54.99)
• Lexar Professional 2000x 128GB SDXC UHS-II Card $151.04 (was $189.99)
• Lexar Professional 1066x 512GB microSDXC UHS-I Card w/ SD Adapter SILVER Series $67.51 (was $129.99)
• Lexar Professional 1066x 256GB MicroSDXC UHS-I Card with SD Adapter SILVER Series $27.49 (was $59.99)
• Lexar High-Performance 633x 128GB microSDXC UHS-I Card with SD Adapter $13.99 (was $23.99)
• Lexar Professional 1066x 32GB VPG-65 CompactFlash card $29.99 (was $49.99)
• Lexar Professional 3500x 64GB CFast 2.0 Card $74.99 (was $119.99)
• Lexar Professional CFexpress Type A / SD USB 3.2 Gen 2 Reader $67.61 (was $79.99)
• Lexar Professional USB 3.2 Type-C Dual-Slot Reader $20.99 (was $29.99)
• Lexar SL660 Blaze 1TB Gaming Portable External SSD $125.26 (was $199.99)

PNY hard drives and memory cards Black Friday deals:

• PNY 128GB EliteX-PRO90 Class 10 U3 V90 UHS-II SDXC $103.16 (was $129.99)
• PNY 1TB PRO Elite Class 10 U3 V30 SDXC Flash Memory Card $169.99 (was $219.99)
• PNY 256GB Elite-X Class 10 U3 V30 SDXC Flash Memory Card $28.99 (was $41.99)
• PNY 512GB PRO Elite Class 10 U3 V30 SDXC $67.99 (was $71.36)
• PNY 256GB Elite-X Class 10 U3 V30 microSDXC $33.10 (was $42.99)
• PNY 32GB Elite Class 10 U1 V10 SDHC Flash Memory Card 5-Pack $22.99 (was $27.99)
• PNY 32GB Elite Class 10 U1 microSDHC Flash Memory Card 5-Pack $19.99 (was $24.99)
• PNY 128GB Premier-X Class 10 U3 V30 microSDXC Flash Memory Card 2-Pack $22.94 (was $27.99)
• PNY 128GB EliteX-PRO60 UHS-II SDXC Memory Card $27.63 (was $32.99)
• PNY 32GB Elite Class 10 U1 microSDHC Flash Memory Card 3-Pack $14.79 (was $17.99)
• PNY 64GB Premier-X Class 10 U3 V30 microSDXC Flash Memory Card 5 $25.49 (was $29.99)
• PNY EliteX-PRO 1TB USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C Portable Solid State Drive $92.99 (was $134.99)
• PNY EliteX-PRO 4TB USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C Portable Solid State Drive  $399.99 (was $639.99)
• PNY Pro Elite V2 1TB USB 3.2 Gen 2×1 Type-C Portable Solid State Drive $84.99 (was $114.99)

Western Digital hard drives and memory cards Black Friday deals:

• WD 2TB My Passport SSD Portable External Solid State Drive $149.99 (was $379.99)
• WD 500GB My Passport SSD Portable External Solid State Drive $79.99 (was $119.99)
• WD 2TB Elements SE – Portable SSD $112.99 (was $249.99)
• SanDisk 1TB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card with Adapter $127.99 (was $219.99)
• SanDisk 400GB Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card with Adapter $30.99 (was $69.99)
• SanDisk 512GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Memory Card $87.99 (was $139.99)
• SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO CompactFlash Memory Card $79.99 (was $100.78)
• SanDisk 64GB Extreme PRO Compact Flash Memory Card $51.99 (was $64.99)
• SanDisk 256GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Memory Card $42.39 (was $62.49)
• SanDisk 256GB Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card with Adapter $19.99 (was $32.99)
• WD 20TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive $329.99 (was $479.99) 
• SanDisk 1TB Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card with Adapter $99.99 (was $136.99) 
• SanDisk 512GB Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card with Adapter $39.99 (was $59.99)
• SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Memory Card $23.99 (was $33.49)
• SanDisk 500GB Extreme Portable SSD $81.99 (was $149.99)
• WD 16TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive $239.99 (was $449.99)
• WD 2TB My Passport SSD Portable External Solid State Drive $149.99 (was $379.99)
• SanDisk 2TB Extreme PRO Portable SSD $219.99 (was $509.99)
• SanDisk 4TB Extreme Portable SSD $299.99 (was $699.99)
• SanDisk 512GB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card with Adapter $57.99 (was $108.99)
• SanDisk 512GB Extreme PRO CFexpress Card Type B $379.99 (was $599.99)

Prograde memory card Black Friday deals:

• Prograde Digital SD UHS-II 256GB Card V60 $78.74 (was $104.99)
• Prograde Digital SD UHS-II 128GB Card V60 $41.24 (was $54.99)
• SD UHS-II Dual-Slot Memory Card Reader $67.99 (was $79.99)
• ProGrade Digital SDXC UHS-II V90 300R Memory Card (128GB) $108.74 (was $144.99)
• ProGrade Digital SDXC UHS-II V90 300R Memory Card (256GB) $202.49 (was $269.99)
• ProGrade Digital CFexpress Type B and SD UHS-II Dual-Slot Memory Card Reader $67.99 (was $79.99)
• ProGrade Digital CFexpress Type-B & XQD Single-Slot Memory Card Reader $110.49 (was $129.99)
• ProGrade Digital CFast and SD UHS-II Dual-Slot Memory Card Reader $67.99 (was $79.99)
• ProGrade Digital microSD UHS-II Dual-Slot Memory Card Reader $67.99 (was $79.99)

The post The best Black Friday deals on hard drives and memory cards appeared first on Popular Photography.

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Photographers and video shooters can never have too many memory cards. They have the tendency to get lost, fill up when you don’t have a chance to clear off space, or simply fail. Having backups is essential, as is refreshing your supply as they age.

While SD and microSD card prices have come down drastically, it’s still a good idea to stock up when they go on sale. And with the holidays fast approaching, it’s also a good opportunity to buy some photography-related stocking stuffers. The Amazon Prime Access Sale goes through today, and you can still find a wide selection of memory cards on sale. We’ve dug through them to find some of the best deals, including some for up to 58% off.

SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO CFexpress Card Type B $109.99 (was $249.99)

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CFexpress is quickly becoming the memory card of choice for new cameras. They offer much faster read and write speeds than the alternatives, which means they can keep up with the ever-increasing burst shooting speeds and video quality requirements. Because they are the new kid on the block, CFexpress cards are pricey and don’t tend to go on sale as frequently as SD or microSD. But this 128GB SanDisk CFexpress Type B card is $140 off right now. It’s a great time to build out your supply of these new cards to keep up with data-hungry cameras.

PNY 512GB PRO Elite Class 10 U3 V30 microSDXC Flash Memory Card $54.99 (was $109.99)

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If you have a drone or action camera, microSD cards are an essential part of your kit. New drones and action cameras are capable of some seriously impressive and high-quality footage, which requires fast memory cards with large storage capacities. This PNY microSDXC offers 512GB of storage (though other capacities are also available), so you won’t have to swap out cards as often. The advertised read speeds are up to 100MB/s and the write speeds are up to 90MB/s, so it will be fast enough to keep up with your DJI Mini 2’s 4K footage or raw bursts from your GoPro Hero 10.

Other worthwhile memory card deals:

• SanDisk 1TB Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card with Adapter $139.75 (was $199.99)
• PNY 256GB Elite-X Class 10 U3 V30 microSDXC $27.99 (was $42.99)
• PNY 64GB EliteX-PRO90 Class 10 U3 V90 UHS-II SDXC Flash Memory Card $48.99 (was $77.99)
• PNY 32GB Elite Class 10 U1 microSDHC Flash Memory Card 3-Pack $14.79 (was $17.99)
• PNY 32GB Elite Class 10 U1 microSDHC Flash Memory Card 5-Pack $19.99 (was $24.99)
• PNY 64GB Elite-X Class 10 U3 V30 microSDXC Flash Memory Card 3-Pack $16.99 (was $27.99)
• PNY 128GB Elite-X Class 10 U3 V30 microSDXC Flash Memory Card $16.99 (was $24.99)
• PNY 128GB Premier-X Class 10 U3 V30 microSDXC Flash Memory Card 2-Pack $22.94 (was $27.99)
• PNY 512GB PRO Elite Class 10 U3 V30 microSDXC $54.99 (was $99.99)
• PNY 64GB Elite Class 10 U1 V10 SDXC Flash Memory Card 3-Pack $21.24 (was $24.99)
• PNY 128GB EliteX-PRO90 Class 10 U3 V90 UHS-II SDXC $91.80 (was $129.99)
• PNY 128GB Premier-X Class 10 U3 V30 microSDXC Flash Memory Card 2-Pack $22.94 (was $27.99)
• SAMSUNG PRO Endurance 256GB MicroSDXC with Adapter $29.99 (was $54.99)
• SAMSUNG PRO Plus Full Size SDXC Card Plus Reader 256GB $34.99 (was $62.99)
• SAMSUNG EVO Select Micro SD + Adapter, 128GB microSDXC $16.49 (was $19.99)
• SAMSUNG PRO Endurance 256GB MicroSDXC Memory Card $29.99 (was $54.99)
• Lexar Professional 2000x 256GB SDXC UHS-II Card $253.90 (was $299.99)
• Lexar Professional 1667x 128GB SDXC UHS-II Card $36.08 (was $49.99)
• Lexar 32GB Micro SD Card 3 Pack, microSDHC UHS-I Flash Memory Card with Adapter $12.79 (was $31.99)
• SanDisk 256GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Memory Card $42.39 (was $62.49)
• SanDisk 1TB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card with Adapter $162.70 (was $249.99)
• SanDisk 512GB Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card with Adapter $43.99 (was $99.99)
• SanDisk 256GB Extreme SDXC UHS-I Memory Card $30.99 (was $49.99)
• SanDisk 1TB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Memory Card $199.99 (was $299.99)
• SanDisk 128GB Extreme SDXC UHS-I Memory Card $19.99 (was $27.99)

The post Save up to $140 on memory cards during the Amazon Prime Early Access Sale appeared first on Popular Photography.

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With 4K video now the established standard and even higher resolution modes becoming more common—not to mention Raw capture—modern video cameras can output truly spectacular amounts of data. Thankfully, storage media performance continues to improve in lockstep with our ever-growing needs. As proof of the point, Lexar—nowadays a part of Chinese storage/memory-maker Longsys—has just set a new benchmark for Type-B CFexpress card performance.

With Lexar’s new Diamond-series cards, announced this week at the NAB Show in Las Vegas, the company claims a maximum read speed of 1900MB/s. That’s almost 10% faster than the 1750MB/s max read speed from the company’s existing Gold-series cards. Admittedly, though, that’s still only a scant 50MB/s better than the 1850MB/s read speed claimed by previous record-holder, Exascend, for its own recently-launched Type-B CFexpress cards.

Related: New gear: Nikon’s speedy CFexpress card will hit shelves this summer

It’s in the write speeds where we see the *really* big news, though. After all, that’s what dictates your video capture capabilities and buffer depths for still imaging. Read speeds, on the hand, matter most for playback and when it comes time to offload your data.

Lexar’s new Diamond-series cards offer a write speed up to 1700MB/s. By comparison, the brand’s Gold-series Type-B cards top out at a write speed of 1000MB/s, while its Silver-series cards can sustain only 600MB/s. That means the new Diamond-series cards should offer nearly double the write performance of the Gold-series, and more than triple the performance of Silver-series cards.

All of this is great news, but there are a few key details still to be revealed. Notably, Lexar has yet to disclose either the capacity range or pricing for the Diamond-series cards.

The Gold-series currently spans a range from 64GB to 512GB, while the Silver-series is limited to just 128GB and 256GB capacities. Lexar’s press materials indicate that we can expect a 256GB card at the very least, and we’d expect higher capacities as well given that rival Exascend already has a 512GB competitor. But we don’t yet know what the maximum capacity will be for this new line.

Alongside the Diamond-series launch, Lexar says that it also plans to launch a new Gold-series lineup of the smaller CFExpress Type-A cards. Again, we don’t yet know capacities or pricing. We do know that they’ll arrive alongside a new Type-A card reader with high-performance 10Gb/s USB Type-C connectivity.

Just like the aforementioned Diamond-series Type-B cards, these new Type-A models will carry VPG400 branding. Performance for the Type-A cards is 900MB/s when reading and 800MB/s when writing.

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Buried deep beneath the pizazz of the new Nikon Z9 firmware update was a juicy little tidbit: The camera maker is releasing a new memory card, the $730 MC-CF660G CFexpress Type B. It’s got stiff competition, so how does it stack up against the best on the market? 

The specs

The Nikon MC-CF660G CFexpress Type B memory card clocks in with 660 gigabytes of storage—with a maximum read speed of approximately 1700 MB/s, and top write speed of 1500 MB/s. Nikon developed it to support video and still shooting on its mirrorless cameras, highlighting the Z9. With the Z9 demanding the fastest write speeds to achieve its 1,000-image-buffer capacity and massive 8k video capture, this new memory card has a lot to live up to.  

How it stacks up against the competition 

Looking at comparable memory cards from Delkin Devices and SanDisk, Nikon’s falls in between. Delkin beats it with an entire terabyte of storage; its max read speed is 1730 MB/s, and max write speed is 1540 MB/s, pushing it gently above Nikon’s card—but not by too much. Delkin wins slightly on the speed front and majorly on cost—it’s more than  $100 less.

SanDisk’s CF card has just 512 gigabytes of storage and max write and read speeds of 1400 and 1700 MB/s, respectively, and the company touts it as ideal for 4k video captures. While it doesn’t quite hit Nikon’s capacity  and speed, it is, like Delkin, less expensive. If 4k is your medium, then saving around $200 never hurts. 

Where to find the MC-CF660G CFexpress Type B memory card

According to Nikon, this new memory card will be available beginning in June. It projects the card will retail for $729.95. Get updates here.

The post New gear: Nikon’s speedy CFexpress card will hit shelves this summer appeared first on Popular Photography.

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Memory cards are one of those photography items you can never really have too many of (okay, within reason). They are a bit like lip balm; you want to have them stashed in every bag and nook and cranny, ready to be used in those unexpected moments.

While some memory card types like SD cards have become extremely affordable, newer options like CFexpress models can be costly—even for smaller storage capacity. So when a deal pops up, it’s generally a good idea to jump on it. Luckily, you can pick up some of the most reliable memory cards around right now for up to $110 off.

Best deal on CFexpress cards: SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO CFexpress Card Type B $139.99 (Was $249.99) 

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The CFExpress Card Type B is backwards-compatible with certain cameras that use XQD cards, so they’ll work with high-end, data-hungry models like the Canon R5 and Sony Alpha 1. They are one of the pricier memory cards out there, unfortunately, though the speed, stability, and durability you get with them are worth the cost. Luckily the 128GB Extreme PRO version is on sale for 44% off at Amazon. 

Best deal on microSDXC: SanDisk 512GB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card with Adapter $71.99 (Was $129.99) 

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If you are looking for a microSD for your action camera, this SanDisk 512GB option is a great choice. It is capable of 4K UHD and Full HD video recording at higher framerates, which is great for slow motion. The 512GB version is currently on sale for 45% off at Amazon.

If a bit slower microSD is good enough for you, perhaps for your phone or tablet, Sandisk has their 400GB Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card with Adapter on sale as well. Head over to Amazon for 36% off. 

Best deal on SDXC: Lexar Professional 2000x 128GB SDXC UHS-II Card $129.99 (Was $189.99) 

Many camera models still utilize SD cards and they are well worth having on hand. Though the price has come down significantly over the past few years, high-speed versions can still be costly. Plus, a good deal is never a bad thing. This Lexar 128GB card is currently available on Amazon for 32% off.
SanDisk also has an SDXC on sale, though it is slower than the Lexar. The SanDisk 256GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Card has a read speed of 170MB/s versus 300MB/s with the Lexar. However, the 256GB SanDisk is 50% off currently, so if your shooting style can handle slower card speeds then this option may be for you.

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