A guide to buying memory cards – how to choose the right one

There are countless memory cards out there, and in the worst-case scenario, the wrong card won’t work in your camera at all – or your video recording will cut out just as the most important moment happens. In this guide, we’ll explain how to choose the right memory card, what different types of cards are available, and what the markings on the side of the card mean.

In a nutshell: which memory card should I use in my camera?

• First, check the card slot. The camera determines the card type: SD, microSD, CFexpress Type A or CFexpress Type B. This information can be found in the camera’s technical specifications.
• For most system cameras Compatible with SD cards bearing the markings V60 and UHS-II, for example Lexar Pro 1800x 128 GB, our best-selling card.
• For drones and action cameras Select a microSD card with a capacity of at least V30-mark.
• For professional cameras and high-end video production A CFexpress card is required. For video, it is advisable to choose a card with VPG400-mark.
• Kooksi 64–128 GB is usually sufficient for a photographer, whilst a videographer will need 128–256 GB.

From the range you will find SD memory cards, microSD memory cards and CFexpress memory cards – or view all memory cards, hard drives and card readers.

How to choose the right memory card

The most important thing is to find a card that’s right for you your own camera and in your own way of describing. Video recording and high-speed continuous shooting clearly require a faster and higher-capacity card than taking individual photographs.

1. Check the card type. You can check your camera’s user manual or look next to the card slot to see whether it uses an SD, microSD or CFexpress card. Many cameras have two different types of card slot.
2. Select the speed according to the application. The camera’s user manual often specifies which speed class is required for 4K video, for example. The fastest card is not always the best, as the camera may not necessarily be able to utilise the card’s full speed.
3. Select a storage location. With today’s cameras, 128 Gt is a good starting point. Videographers should consider 256 Gt or more.

Which memory card goes in which device?

The device and its use	Card type	Recommendation
Action cameras, drones and 360-degree cameras	microSD	V30 / U3, 128–256 GB
System camera: photography and Full HD video	SD	V30 / U3, 64–128 Gt
System camera: 4K video and continuous shooting	SD	V60 UHS-II, 128–256 GB
High bit-rate 4K, 6K and 8K video, as well as RAW video	CFexpress or SD V90	CFexpress Type A/B or V90 UHS-II, 256 Gt+
Mobile phones and tablets	microSD	A2 / V30
Nintendo Switch 2	microSD Express	microSD Express card

Always check the requirements for your own camera in the user manual.

Are you looking for a memory card for an action camera or a drone? Have a look at our guide too the best action camera for enthusiasts, Insta360 comparison and DJI Mini 5 Pro vs Mini 4 Pro.

Different types of memory cards

SD card

The SD card is the most common type of memory card for cameras – almost every DSLR, compact camera and camcorder has at least one SD card slot. SD cards come in a range of sizes and speeds, and feature a write-protect switch that prevents files from being accidentally deleted. The latest SD Express standard is still rare in cameras.

See SD memory cards →

MicroSD card

The microSD is the smallest memory card in terms of physical size, and is used in action cameras, drones, 360-degree cameras, mobile phones and games consoles. In terms of features, the microSD is equivalent to a standard SD card, and most cards come with an adapter for the SD format. New microSD Express is clearly faster than a traditional microSD card, and is required, for example, by the Nintendo Switch 2.

See microSD memory cards →

CFexpress card

CFexpress cards are currently the fastest memory cards on the market and are used in the latest professional and advanced amateur cameras. There are two types of card:

• CFexpress Type A – a smaller card used in many Sony cameras. In these cameras, the same slot often accepts SD cards as well.
• CFexpress Type B – a larger and faster card, used, for example, in top-of-the-range models from Canon, Nikon and Panasonic.

Latest CFexpress 4.0 These cards are up to twice as fast as their predecessors and are also compatible with older CFexpress cameras. VPG400The - label guarantees a sustained write speed of at least 400 MB/s, which is sufficient even for the most demanding video recording.

See CFexpress memory cards →

Other card types: CFast, CompactFlash and XQD

• CFast – a high-speed professional memory card, now mainly used in certain video cameras. In new system cameras, CFast has been replaced by CFexpress.
• CompactFlash (CF) – an older, durable type of card that is still found in many Canon and Nikon SLR cameras currently in use.
• XQD – a less common card used by some older Nikon and Panasonic cameras. Many of these cameras also support CFexpress Type B cards following a firmware update.

What do the markings on a memory card mean?

• Storage capacity (GB / TB) – how much storage capacity the card has. SDHC cards range from 4 to 32 GB, and SDXC cards from 64 GB to 2 TB.
• Read speed (R, MB/s) – how quickly the photos are transferred from the card to the computer.
• Write speed (W, MB/s) – how quickly the camera can write data to the card. This is the more important figure when it comes to taking photos.
• Speed class (U1, U3) – guaranteed minimum write speed: U1 = 10 MB/s, U3 = 30 MB/s.
• Video speed class (V30, V60, V90) – Guaranteed minimum write speed for video: V30 = 30 MB/s, V60 = 60 MB/s, V90 = 90 MB/s. V30 is sufficient for most 4K video, whilst V60 and V90 are suitable for more demanding video recording.
• UHS-I / UHS-II – a bus standard that determines the card’s maximum speed: UHS-I up to 104 MB/s and UHS-II up to 312 MB/s. UHS-II cards have a second row of contacts, and their speed can only be utilised in cameras and card readers that support UHS-II.
• A1 / A2 – app performance on phones and tablets. This is not an issue with cameras.

How much storage space do you need?

A single RAW image typically takes up around 25–60 megabytes with current cameras, depending on the camera’s resolution. For video, the storage requirement depends on the bitrate: for example, a 4K video at 100 Mbps takes up around 45 gigabytes per hour, whilst a video at 200 Mbps takes up around 90 gigabytes per hour.

It is also worth remembering that Two smaller cards are safer than one large one. If a memory card is lost or becomes damaged, you won’t lose all your photos at once. If your camera has two memory card slots, use the second one as a backup for important shoots.

Beware of counterfeit memory cards

Many counterfeit memory cards are sold on online auction and discount websites; they look genuine but are slower or contain less storage space than advertised. In the worst-case scenario, your photos will be lost once the card is full. Buy your memory cards from a reputable retailer – all the Lexar, SanDisk and Angelbird cards we sell come via official importers.

Storage of memory cards

Storing your memory cards properly will extend their lifespan and reduce the risk of them breaking. Many camera bags and cases have dedicated pockets for memory cards, but a separate memory card case is the surest way to protect them from knocks, dust and moisture – especially as they can easily contain hundreds of euros’ worth of data.

Transferring photos to a computer

A memory card reader is the quickest and safest way to transfer photos to your computer. The most important thing is to make sure that the reader supports your type of card. Choose USB 3.2 -card reader: The Gen 1 interface transfers data at up to 5 Gbit/s and the Gen 2 interface at up to 10 Gbit/s. If you use UHS-II or CFexpress cards, the reader must support them in order to utilise the card’s full speed. If your camera uses two different types of card, it is advisable to choose a reader with multiple card slots.

Frequently asked questions

How many photos can fit on a 128 Gt memory card?

Approximately 2,000–5,000 RAW images, depending on the camera’s resolution, and significantly more JPEG images. It can hold around 2.5 hours of 4K video at a bitrate of 100 Mbps.

SanDisk or Lexar – which is better?

Both are reliable brands, and cards from the same speed class are, in practice, equally good. Choose a card based on the speed class and storage capacity required by your camera, and buy it from a reputable retailer to ensure you get a genuine card.

Can a microSD card be used in the camera with an SD adapter?

Oh, and most microSD cards come with an adapter. However, the adapter adds an extra connection, which can slow the card down. If your camera has an SD card slot, a full-size SD card is the safer choice.

Do I need to format a new memory card?

It’s worth doing. Format the card in the camera when you first start using it, and every time you’ve transferred your photos to a safe place. Formatting the card in the camera ensures it’s compatible with the camera and reduces the risk of errors. Do not format the camera’s card on a computer.

Why does the camera say the card is too slow?

The card’s write speed is insufficient for the selected video mode or continuous shooting. Check the camera’s user manual for the required speed class. 4K video generally requires at least V30, and V60 or V90 for high bit rates.

Can photos deleted from a memory card be recovered?

This is often possible if the card has not been used since the files were deleted. Stop using the card immediately and try a data recovery programme, such as SanDisk’s or Lexar’s own software, or PhotoRec. Any new photos may overwrite the deleted files.

Where can I buy a memory card for my camera?

At the Foto Monzan online shop and Kouvola branch, you’ll find SD, microSD and CFexpress cards from Lexar, SanDisk and Sony, as well as card readers. Items in stock ordered before 2.30 pm on weekdays are dispatched the same day. Bring your camera to the shop and we’ll check which card is suitable for it. You can find all our cards from the memory card section.

Need help?

If you’re not sure which card is suitable for your camera, just ask us – we’ll check the compatibility for you. Call us on 05-375 3220 or pop into our shop in Kouvola.