The Best SD Cards for Video Recording (2023 Update)

Updated 3 months ago

This is a complete list of SD and microSD memory cards I use and trust for recording video in cameras, camcorders, drones, encoders, and studio recorders.

In this guide you'll find:

Let's get started...

SD Cards

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Best Overall SD Card

Angelbird AV PRO MK2

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Angelbird has built a strong reputation for their professional media storage solutions, including products designed specifically for use with ARRI, RED, and Blackmagic Design cameras.

Because of that reputation, they are typically my first choice for audio recording, video recording, and photography.

While their cards come with a premium, they are one of the very few that actually publish and meet sustained read and write speeds.

Highlights include...

Sustained write speeds of 260 MB/s (V90) and 140 MB/s (V60)
Shock, moisture, X-ray, and magnetic protection
Operating temperatures of -25° C to 85° C (-13° F to 185° F)
Sticker-free label (no sticking in slots)

Specifications
Bus Speed	UHS-II
Maximum Read Speed	280 MB/s (V60) 300 MB/s (V90)
Maximum Write Speed	160 MB/s (V60) 280 MB/s (V90)
Sustained Read Speed	260 MB/s (V60) 280 MB/s (V90)
Sustained Write Speed	140 MB/s (V60) 260 MB/s (V90)
V60 Capacities	64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
V90 Capacities	64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

Best Value SD Card

ProGrade Digital

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No fancy features or slick branding. Just the perfect convergence of performance and value.

This is the highest rated SD card on Amazon with more than 1,800 reviews, and is one of only three SD cards approved for 12K recording in the Blackmagic URSA Mini 12K.

Specifications
Bus Speed	UHS-II
Maximum Read Speed	250 MB/s (V60) 300 MB/s (V90)
Maximum Write Speed	130 MB/s (V60) 250 MB/s (V90)
Sustained Read Speed	N/A
Sustained Write Speed	N/A
V60 Capacities	128GB, 256GB, 512GB
V90 Capacities	64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

Best Budget SD Card

SanDisk Extreme Pro

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Just about the best budget option out there from a trusted brand in flash storage.

PRO TIP: The V30 and V60 cards with capacities of 256GB or more have 50% faster write speeds than cards with 128GB or less. Go with those if you can and you will have the best results.

Specifications
Bus Speed	UHS-I (V30) UHS-II (V60 & V90)
Maximum Read Speed	200 MB/s (V30) 280 MB/s (V60) 300 MB/s (V90)
Maximum Write Speed	90 MB/s (V30 - 128GB or less) 140 MB/s (V30 - 256GB or more) 100 MB/s (V60 - 128GB or less) 150 MB/s (V60 - 256GB or more) 260 MB/s (V90)
Sustained Read Speed	N/A
Sustained Write Speed	N/A
V30 Capacities	64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
V60 Capacities	64GB, 128GB, 256GB
V90 Capacities	64GB, 128GB, 256GB

Most Durable SD Card

Sony TOUGH

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When you're looking for durability and reliability, look no further!

With excellent read/write speeds, a one-piece moulded case, ribless design, and no moving parts, this is the most robust card money can buy.

Highlights include...

No write-protect switch
No connector ribs
Shock-resistant up to 16' / 5m
IP68 rating (capable of immersion in 16' / 5m of water for up to 72 hours)

IMPORTANT: The previous generation of this card was recalled in 2020 for unreliable write speeds and was subsequently dropped from my list. However, Sony fixed the problem and this new version is a major improvement. To ensure you have a post-recall version, you will find a small star printed on the back of the card near the bottom left corner.

Specifications
Bus Speed	UHS-II
Maximum Read Speed	277 MB/s (V60) 300 MB/s (V90)
Maximum Write Speed	150 MB/s (V60) 299 MB/s (V90)
Sustained Read Speed	N/A
Sustained Write Speed	N/A
V60 Capacities	64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
V90 Capacities	64GB, 128GB, 256GB

Another Great SD Card

Sabrent Rocket

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Sabrent may be the new kid in town for this category, but they've already been making waves for a few years with their blazing fast internal and external SSDs.

And with impressive specs at a quite reasonable price point, these are a steal of a deal!

Specifications
Bus Speed	UHS-II
Maximum Read Speed	270 MB/s (V60) 280 MB/s (V90)
Maximum Write Speed	170 MB/s (V60) 250 MB/s (V90)
Sustained Read Speed	N/A
Sustained Write Speed	N/A
V60 Capacities	128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
V90 Capacities	64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

microSD Cards

Best Overall microSD Card

Delkin Devices POWER

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V90 write speed in a microSD is rare, and this is just about the only reliable option I have found.

Delkin Devices is a trusted and reputable brand in the digital cinema market, and this card performs exceptionally well.

Specifications
Bus Speed	UHS-II
Maximum Read Speed	300 MB/s
Maximum Write Speed	250 MB/s
Sustained Read Speed	N/A
Sustained Write Speed	N/A
V90 Capacities	64GB, 128GB, 256GB

Best Value microSD Card

Angelbird AV PRO

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One of the few microSD cards out there that actually performs up to its specs, and still at a stellar price!

If you don't need maximum V90 speeds, look no further.

Specifications
Bus Speed	UHS-I (V30) UHS-II (V60)
Maximum Read Speed	100 MB/s (V30) 280 MB/s (V60)
Maximum Write Speed	90 MB/s (V30) 160 MB/s (V60)
Sustained Read Speed	95 MB/s (V30) 260 MB/s (V60)
Sustained Write Speed	80 MB/s (V30) 140 MB/s (V60)
V30 Capacities	128GB, 256GB, 512GB
V60 Capacities	128GB, 256GB

Best Budget microSD Card

SanDisk Extreme

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A bang for the buck and one of the top rated microSD cards on Amazon.

Proven reliability and consistent performance makes this a no-brainer if your budget is tight and you don't need faster performance.

Specifications
Bus Speed	UHS-I
Maximum Read Speed	100 MB/s (32GB) 170 MB/s (64GB or more)
Maximum Write Speed	90 MB/s
Sustained Read Speed	N/A
Sustained Write Speed	N/A
V30 Capacities	64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 400GB, 512GB, 1TB

Memory Card Storage Cases

Best Overall Memory Card Case

Pelican 0915

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I've used more than a dozen of these cases over the last decade and they have been rock solid.

The case is made of polycarbonate and the elastomer foam has held up incredibly well over time.

The only downside is the IPx4 rating only makes the case splash-proof, so it might not survive being submerged.

Best Light Duty Memory Card Case

Think Tank SD Pixel Pocket Rocket

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Think Tank makes 👌 storage solutions, and this is no exception.

A soft and simple wallet case with slots for 9 cards.

It's not waterproof and not as secure as a hard case, but it's designed for accessibility more than anything. I like that I can clip it on a bag or put it in my pocket for quick and easy access.

This makes a great middle-man between more secure storage and the camera or recorder.

Best Budget Memory Card Case

SmallRig 3192

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A bang for the buck with plenty of slots for a variety of cards including SD, microSD, CFexpress, and Sony XQD.

The polycarbonate case with silicone cover makes it splash proof and shock resistant.

A very nice little case at a reasonably low price.

Most Durable Memory Card Case

Elephant Elite 48

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When you need the best in protection and card capacity, this is your answer!

This rugged case is made in Italy and provides IP67 waterproof and dust proof protection, an automatic pressure release valve, 48 slots for a variety of card types, and a limited lifetime warranty.

Elephant also makes an assortment of other cases for memory cards and other gear, so be sure to check out the rest of their lineup.

Another Great Memory Card Case

Proven Wild Waterproof Memory Card Case

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Another great solution with plenty of space and protection.

This waterproof case holds up to 35 SD cards and keeps them protected from crushing, dust, and water.

Not only is it waterproof, it also floats. So you won't even have to dive down to retrieve your precious data if it goes overboard.

Why You Can Trust Me

I started my career over 23 years ago as a freelance ENG camera operator for broadcast television networks including ABC, FOX Sports, and Speed Channel. I've also shot with hundreds of cameras throughout 25 different countries as a filmmaker and director of photography. I've recorded to all kinds of digital storage, including countless SD cards. Additionally, I have spent the last decade running this website and consulting with organizations to help them find the right gear and maximize their results. Learn more about Joel

SD Card Buyer's Guide

When shopping for SD cards, it's important to know how the cards will be used and how they work.

The following information will help you choose the best SD card for your needs.

Terms to Know

Data Rate

The amount of data that moves from one place to another in a given time.

Throughput

The amount of data that moves through a component or system in a given time.

Bit

The smallest unit of data that computers and devices use, consisting of either a 0 or 1.

Short for "binary digit".

Represented by a lowercase "b" in abbreviations.

Byte

The minimum unit of data historically used to represent a single character of text, consisting of eight bits.

Represented by an uppercase "B" in abbreviations.

Standard

A document published by an authority that defines criteria necessary for effective interchange/interconnection within a system.

Sustained

To maintain continuously.

Sequential

To perform or use in sequence.

Bus

The physical infrastructure used to pass data from one device to another.

Short for "omnibus".

Data Rates

In this specific situation, data rates are the amount of video data transferred per second from a camera or recording device to the memory card.

Because video recording is done continuously and in real time, the memory card must be able to write and store data fast enough to prevent data loss from occurring. And the higher the data rate, the faster the write speed required for the card to reliably write the files.

Cameras and recording devices should always specify the data rates required to write every format, resolution, and quality. This way we know how fast the memory card needs to be in order to work efficiently and reliably.

You can find data rates expressed in either bits or bytes depending on the context. The two units can be used to explain data rates in the same way, just in two different sizes.

The formulas to convert between the two are simple:

Bytes = bits * 8
bits = Bytes / 8

Prefixes refer to how many thousands of units are represented:

kilo = 1,000 (lowercase "k")
Mega = 1,000² or 1,000,000 (uppercase "M")
Giga = 1,000³ or 1,000,000,000 (uppercase "G")
Tera = 1,000⁴ or 1,000,000,000,000 (uppercase "T")

Therefore, data rates are usually expressed in these formats:

kbps
kB/s
Mbps
MB/s
Gbps
GB/s
Tbps
TB/s

IMPORTANT: Pay close attention to prefixes and uppercase/lowercase letters because you will sometimes see them written differently or incorrectly.

Once you put it all together, a data rate of 80 Mbps = 10 MB/s and vice versa, a data rate of 4,000 kbps = 4 Mbps and vice versa, a data rate of 250 MB/s = 2 Gbps and vice versa, and so on.

SD Card Standards

Standards for SD cards and the supporting technology are controlled by the SDA.

The specifications and ratings discussed below are also defined by SD standards.

Every card in this guide is also fully compliant with SD standards.

Read & Write Speeds

This part can be confusing.

Nearly all memory card manufacturers will claim a maximum read and write speed.

However, not all of them will be able to maintain those speeds all the time. Just like an automobile, the maximum speed on the speedometer does not mean the automobile will always travel that speed or can even reach that speed in all situations.

The problem with only knowing maximum speed is that it is unclear where the more stable and consistent speeds may be. Like I mentioned earlier, recording video is a continuous and real time process that requires consistent write speeds.

This is where speed class certifications become important, specifically the UHS ("U") and video ("V") classes. SD memory cards compliant with these speed classes must meet or exceed the minimum sustained sequential write speed for that class.

The UHS speed class is represented by the letter U with either a number 1 or 3 inside. UHS describes the bus type used for transfers, and the numbers stand for minimum sustained write speeds in tens of megabytes per second (10 * MB/s).

U1 = 10 MB/s = 80 Mbps
U3 = 30 MB/s = 240 Mbps

Icons for SD UHS speed classes

The video speed class is represented by the letter V followed by a number. The letter V stands for "video" and the numbers stand for minimum sustained write speeds in megabytes per second (MB/s).

V6 = 6 MB/s = 48 Mbps
V10 = 10 MB/s = 80 Mbps
V30 = 30 MB/s = 240 Mbps
V60 = 60 MB/s = 480 Mbps
V90 = 90 MB/s = 720 Mbps

Icons for SD video speed classes

When recording video I recommend U3 and V30 class SD cards at a minimum. All of the cards in this guide meet that minimum requirement.

It is also important to understand that these ratings are for properly formatted cards that are un-fragmented. More about that in the formatting section later.

Bus Speeds

If data is cargo, the bus is the trucks that carry the cargo and the highway they drive upon.

A crucial factor in the transfer of data is the maximum throughput the bus supports. SD cards with read and/or write speeds that exceed bus speeds will always be limited by the bus speed.

Specifications for maximum bus speeds include:

Default Speed: 12.5 MB/s
High Speed: 25 MB/s
UHS-I: 50 MB/s (SDR50 and DDR50) or 104 MB/s (SDR104)
UHS-II: 156 MB/s (Full Duplex) or 312 MB/s (Half Duplex)
UHS-III: 312 MB/s (Full Duplex) or 624 MB/s (Half Duplex)
SD Express: 985 MB/s (PCIe Gen.3 × 1 Lane), 1970 MB/s (PCIe Gen.4 × 1 Lane or PCIe Gen.3 × 2 Lane), or 3940 MB/s (PCIe Gen.4 × 2 Lane)

The two most common bus speed classifications to understand right now are UHS-I and UHS-II.

The distinction is important when recording higher data rate video formats where UHS-II speeds are necessary, because a UHS-II rated card will only read and write at UHS-I speeds when connected to a bus that is only rated for UHS-I speeds.

One simple way to tell if a card is capable of UHS-II bus speeds is to look at the contacts on the back of the card. Cards rated for UHS-I or lower will only have one row of contacts, while cards rated for UHS-II or higher will have two rows of contacts.

Physical differences between UHS-I and UHS-II SD cards

And because bus speed specifications require cards to have backwards compatibility with slower rating classes, it generally never hurts to get a higher rated card than you think you need.

Capacity Classes

SD cards and their host devices (cameras or recorders) are categorized into 4 different classes depending on the card's total capacity:

SD

2GB and less
Uses the FAT12 and FAT16 file systems
SD memory cards can be used in all current host devices
SD host devices can only use SD memory cards

SDHC

2GB to 32GB
Uses the FAT32 file system (4GB maximum file size)
SDHC memory cards can be used in SDHC, SDXC, and SDUC host devices
SDHC host devices can use SD and SDHC memory cards

SDXC

32GB to 2TB
Uses the exFAT file system
SDXC memory cards can be used in SDXC and SDUC host devices
SDXC host devices can use SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards

SDUC

2TB to 128TB
Uses the exFAT file system
SDUC memory cards must only be used in SDUC host devices
SDUC host devices can use all current memory cards

Lower capacity cards like SD and SDHC can only use older, and more limited, file system formats that have file size limitations. This can require host devices like recorders and cameras to limit recording times and/or create multiple files during a single recording.

If your host device has been made in the last decade then it should be SDXC compatible. Therefore, the only cards I recommend now are SDXC.

If your host device is only rated up to SDHC, then the 32GB SDHC capacities of some cards in this list should be compatible.

Be Conservative

As always, just because something is rated for a certain speed does not mean you should always push it to that limit.

Some codecs and manufacturer specifications refer to target data rates and not maximum data rates. Since compression algorithms are not always a constant data rate it is common to see fluctuations around 10%-20% above or below the target data rate.

Therefore, I recommend leaving at least 20% headroom for the rated class speed of any given card.

For example, a memory card with a class rating of V30 should ideally see a maximum write speed of 24 MB/s or 192 Mbps for best results.

This is a situation where leaving headroom never hurts. When recording you want consistency and reliability.

Formatting Your Cards

How and when you format your cards is critical.

If a memory card is not formatted properly or files have been changed in any way while on the card, you can easily end up with corrupted, missing, or incomplete files.

Following this simple workflow exactly will give you the best chances of success when recording:

Ensure every file on the card you want to keep is saved and backed up elsewhere. I recommend using the 3-2-1 backup strategy.
Format the card before every recording session in the camera or recording device in which the card will be used.
If your camera or recording device does not have formatting capability, consult its manual to ensure you format your card correctly using a computer before recording.
When recording is complete, immediately transfer all files from the card directly to another form of storage.
Never edit, move, or delete files directly on the card. This includes deleting files using the camera or recorder. File allocation tables can become corrupted or fragmented, causing data loss and/or slower write speeds.

Diversify

Spreading out your recorded files among multiple memory cards is safer than recording everything to the same card.

If you don't need continuous recording for multiple hours, I recommend purchasing a few smaller cards instead of one larger card.

In general, try to get memory cards that will hold about 1 hour of footage at the data rate needed. That ensures you keep a healthy habit of switching out cards to make sure risk is minimized.

And remember...

One is none and two is one.

Always get two or more cards so you have at least one backup.

Use Proper Form Factors

Lastly, when recording or writing files be sure to always use the matching form factor card for the card slot(s) available.

For example, microSD cards should only be used to record in devices that have microSD card slots.

Avoid using adapter cards to record or write to smaller form factor memory cards in larger card slots. They add many more potential points of failure in the connection between the host device and memory card.

Store Them Properly

Always keep cards in a proper storage case when not in a device.

Look for storage solutions that keep the cards isolated and protected from dust and water.

Here are my recommended memory card storage cases.

What Speed Do I Need?

So now that we understand all of this, how do we apply it?

Here are some general guidelines to give you an idea of what category of card should be used for certain situations and recording formats:

V30 Cards

Maximum data rate of 192 Mbps recommended
H.264/H.265/MPEG-4 formats up to 4096 x 2160 at 30 fps in 8-bit
ProRes 422 Proxy up to 3840 x 2160 at 30 fps
ProRes 422 LT up to 1920 x 1080 at 50 fps
ProRes 422 up to 1920 x 1080 at 30 fps
Blackmagic RAW 12:1 up to 2868 x 1512 (2.8K 17:9) at 30 fps
Blackmagic RAW 8:1 up to 1920 x 1080 at 60 fps
Blackmagic RAW 5:1 up to 1920 x 1080 at 50 fps

V60 Cards

Maximum data rate of 384 Mbps recommended
H.264/H.265/MPEG-4 formats up to 4096 x 2160 at 60 fps in 8-bit and 4:2:0 10-bit
ProRes 422 Proxy up to 3840 x 2160 at 60 fps
ProRes 422 LT up to 3840 x 2160 at 25 fps
ProRes 422 up to 1920 x 1080 at 60 fps
ProRes 422 HQ up to 1920 x 1080 at 50 fps or up to 1280 x 720 at 60 fps
ProRes 4444 up to 1280 x 720 at 60 fps
Blackmagic RAW 12:1 up to 4096 x 2160 at 30 fps or up to 2868 x 1512 (2.8K 17:9) at 60 fps
Blackmagic RAW 8:1 up to 2868 x 1512 (2.8K 17:9) at 60 fps
Blackmagic RAW 5:1 up to 2868 x 1512 (2.8K 17:9) at 30 fps
Blackmagic RAW Q5 up to 2868 x 1512 (2.8K 17:9) at 30 fps

V90 Cards

Maximum data rate of 576 Mbps recommended
H.264/H.265/MPEG-4 formats up to 4096 x 2160 at 60 fps 4:2:2 10-bit
ProRes 422 Proxy up to 5120 x 2700 (5K) at 50 fps
ProRes 422 LT up to 3840 x 2160 at 30 fps
ProRes 422 up to 3840 x 2160 at 25 fps
ProRes 422 HQ up to 2048 x 1556 at 50 fps
ProRes 4444 (no alpha) up to 1920 x 1080 at 50 fps
Blackmagic RAW 12:1 up to 4096 x 2160 at 60 fps or up to 2868 x 1512 (2.8K 17:9) at 120 fps
Blackmagic RAW 8:1 up to 4096 x 2160 at 30 fps or up to 2868 x 1512 (2.8K 17:9) at 90 fps
Blackmagic RAW 5:1 up to 2868 x 1512 (2.8K 17:9) at 50 fps
Blackmagic RAW Q5 up to 2868 x 1512 (2.8K 17:9) at 60 fps
Blackmagic RAW Q3 up to 2868 x 1512 (2.8K 17:9) at 30 fps

Be sure to check the actual data rate your specific camera or recording device uses, especially for H.264/H.265/MPEG-4 formats. Once you get up into higher qualities like 10-bit the data rates can vary drastically.

Avoid Counterfeit Cards

Unfortunately, there is a rather prevalent counterfeit memory card market.

Here are some simple guidelines to follow when purchasing cards:

Buy from resellers with solid and long-standing reputations
When shopping on Amazon, purchase products shipped and sold by Amazon directly, from third-party resellers like Adorama, Focus Camera, or 6ave, or directly from the manufacturer's Amazon store
Be sure to purchase products with a good return policy in case you discover the card(s) you receive are counterfeit
Immediately after purchase, do some speed tests using Blackmagic RAW Speed Test or CrystalDiskMark to make sure the card(s) meet or exceed the rated speeds