Taking up photography can be a very enjoyable and maybe even lucrative hobby. The problem is that when you’re first starting, it can get a little overwhelming at the sight of all the gear. To help your new passion get started correctly, we thought sharing our best memory cards would be a great way to kick off 2024.
If you have an interest in photography, blogging, or video editing, our comprehensive compilation of the finest memory cards is sure to assist you in your endeavors.
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So, join us, won’t you, as we clear the clutter and focus on the gear that will make you a better photographer right from the start?
10+ Best Memory Cards in 2024 — Overview
- SanDisk Extreme PRO SD UHS-I — Best overall SD memory card (Editor’s Choice)
- Transcend SDXC UHS-II U3 — Best for Raw files
- SanDisk Extreme 90MB/s — Best budget-friendly SDHC card
- SanDisk Extreme Pro microSDXC UHS-I — Best microSD card with a lot of storage
- Lexar Professional 633x SDXC UHS-I — Best memory card for photography
- Lexar Professional Class 10 UHS-II 2000X Speed — Best SD card for beginners and professionals
- SanDisk Extreme PRO SD UHS-II — Best known for speed
- Sony SF-G Tough SDXC — Super-tough memory card
- PNY Elite Performance SDXC 512GB — Great capacity SD card at an affordable price
- Samsung PRO Endurance — Best MicroSD card for beginners
- Sony XQD G Series Memory Card — Best XQD card available
What is the Best Memory Card?
SanDisk Extreme PRO SD UHS-I is the best memory card in 2024. Check out the table to see a comparison of the other best memory cards and choose what fits your needs the best.
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How to Choose a Camera Memory Card
With any piece of technology you buy these days, there are certain things to which you should pay keen attention to get the best product for your needs. Camera memory cards are no exception. So, we thought we’d share some tips.
Type
There are many different types of memory cards on the market today, from microSD cards to SD cards, CF cards, and even the M2 from Sony. Many of these have different uses, but two are more commonly used by professional photographers and videographers: the SD Card and the CF card.
- SD Card
SD cards are used primarily in digital cameras, and their only real constraint is the card’s capacity. While when they were first created, the capacity limit was only 2GB, today you can find SD cards with capacities of up to 512GB. SanDisk even makes a 1TB SD card, though it is not cheap.
- CF Card
CF cards, or Compact Flash cards, have high speeds and high capacity, which is why they appear inside many professional cameras. While SD cards are catching up, professionals aren’t ready to ditch CF cards yet. Many cameras will have a slot for each. The cost of CF cards is almost double that of SD cards, which is why many wish that the CF card format would become obsolete because SD cards are much more affordable.
Price
When you buy a memory card, the storage size doesn’t factor into the overall price you will pay. The most significant factor is the transfer speed of the card. For example, at the same capacity, an SD card will cost much less than a CF card, but you can also buy a high-capacity card at a cheap price if you’re willing to sacrifice transfer speed.
Speed
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Transfer speed refers to how fast the memory card can write or read data. The maximum speed at which the card can read data is indicated on the card. However, the most important number to focus on is how fast data can be written on the card. On CF cards, the write speed is shown as X times or in MBps.
If you see something like 600X or 1066X, to determine the speed, multiply the number in front of the X by 150, and the resulting number will be the card’s speed in MBps.
Capacity
Out of all the numbers you may see on a memory card, the capacity is most likely the easiest to understand. A 32GB memory card can hold up to 1,000 RAW photographs.
If those photos are in JPEG format, the number increases to about 3200. Having an adequate amount of storage for any type of photo or video that you take is super important. You don’t want to be caught in a situation where you run out of memory at a crucial point.
You can also learn more about 32 GB laptops and 8 GB laptops through our blogs.
Top 4 Most Popular Memory Cards
10+ Best Memory Cards You Can Buy in 2024
1. SanDisk Extreme PRO SD UHS-I (Editor’s Choice)
The best overall SD memory card
Card type: SDXC | Capacity: 64GB-1TB | Read Speed: Up to 90MB/s | Write Speed: Up to 170MB/s | Warranty: Lifetime limited warranty | Suitable for: Both photography and/or video (including 4K)
We found that the Extreme Pro SD card from SanDisk, boasting storage capacities of up to 1 TB, not only facilitates rapid-fire sequential shooting with its write speed of up to 90MB/s but also enhances overall performance with speeds of up to 170MB/s.
These features prove valuable for both newcomers and experienced professionals.
Drawing from our own experience, we can affirm that the memory card’s impressive data processing capabilities not only simplify sequence capture in Raw photography but also render it suitable for shooting high-quality 4K videos.
In our view, this memory card stands out as one of the finest options on the market, although its excellence comes at a higher cost.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Fastest microSD card | ➖ Expensive |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Fast read and write speeds
- Designed for professionals
- 4K Ultra hd-ready
- Designed to withstand extreme environments
2. Transcend SDXC UHS-II U3
Great for Raw files or high-res video
Card Type: SDXC | Capacity: Up to 64GB | Read Speed: Up to 285MB/s | Write Speed: Up to 180MB/s | Warranty: Five-year limited warranty | Suitable for: Pros shooting rapid-fire high res Raw stills and high quality 4K video
It’s worth mentioning how much we adore the capabilities of the SDXC UHS-II U3 memory card from Transcend. When it comes to capturing primarily Raw files, we’ve found that having a memory card capable of handling the utmost quality imagery in rapid sequential bursts while also offering a significant storage capacity is of paramount importance.
Drawing from our experience, the SDXC UHS-II U3 by Transcend might appear to have a smaller storage capacity at first glance. However, its performance shines, with rapid read and write speeds reaching 285 MB/s and 180 MB/s, respectively.
Through our use, we’ve discovered that Transcend’s branded cards boast shock and X-ray resistance, providing an added layer of security and ensuring that your treasured photos and videos will remain intact every time.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Durable | ➖ Little fragile |
| ➕ Great transfer speeds |
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Latest Price on Amazon:
- Transcend SDXC/SDHC 700S Memory cards are manufactured with top-tier MLC NAND flash memory, making them durable and reliable
- Transcend SDXC/SDHC 700S Memory cards meet both the UHS-II speed Class 3 (U3) and the UHS video Speed Class 90 (V90) standards for 4K video, R/W speeds of 285MB/s & 180MB/s
- Transcend SDXC/SDHC 700S Memory cards allow for thousands of photos and hours of full HD videos to be recorded
- To deliver the best performance and stability, Transcend SD memory cards are tested to withstand extreme conditions
- Transcend offers exclusive recover software, a free data recovery utility that allows you to search deep within a storage Device for traces of erased files
3. SanDisk Extreme 90MB/s
A great budget-friendly SDHC card
Card type: SDHC | Capacity: Up to 256GB | Read Speed: Up to 90MB/s | Write Speed: Up to 40MB/s | Warranty: Lifetime limited warranty | Suitable for: Both photography and video (including 4K)
Sometimes you want to have the best of both worlds: a great capacity SD card at an affordable price. The Extreme 90MB/s from SanDisk is a great choice that checks off both boxes. Offering UHS Speed Class 3 compatibility, if you’re shooting video in 1080p or even 4K, this card will be fast enough.
Even at its budget-friendly price, it’s still water, temperature, and shock-proof which is great to know if you plan on putting the card through its paces.
We have personally found that the memory card offers a remarkable experience. We’ve observed shot speeds reaching up to 40MB/s, with transfer speeds of up to 90MB/s, provided you have compatible devices that can achieve such speeds.
Through our hands-on experience, we’ve determined that this memory card is perfect for capturing 4K UHD video and engaging in sequential burst mode photography.
Offering UHS Speed Class 3 compatibility, if you’re into photography, vlogging, or 4K videos, this card will be fast enough.
Moreover, our experience has shown that this memory card is built to endure and has been thoroughly tested under harsh conditions. It’s temperature-proof, waterproof, shock-proof, and x-ray-proof, making it a reliable companion for various challenging environments.
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As a downside, we’ve noticed that compared to other cards within the same brand, its speed is somewhat lacking.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Great performance | ➖ Not that fast in comparison to other cards from the same brand |
| ➕ Robust |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Shot speeds up to 40MB/s*, transfer speeds up to 90MB/s* requires compatible devices capable of reaching such speeds. | *Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending upon host device,...
- Perfect for shooting 4K UHD video(1) and sequential burst mode photography | (1)Full HD (1920x1080) and 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) video support may vary based upon host device, file attributes and other...
- Capture uninterrupted video with UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) and Video Speed Class 30 (V30)(2) | (2)Sustained video capture rate of 30MB/s, designates a performance option designed to support real-time...
- Built for and tested in harsh conditions(3): temperature-proof, waterproof, shock-proof, and x-ray-proof | (3)Card only
4. SanDisk Extreme Pro microSDXC UHS-I
Best microSD card with a lot of storage
Card Type: microSDXC | Capacity: up to 1TB | Read Speed: Up to 170MB/s | Write Speed: Up to 90MB/s | Warranty: Lifetime limited warranty | Suitable for: High capacity image taking and creation
Available in storage capacities up to 1TB, the Extreme Pro microSDXC UHS-I from SanDisk is a microSDXC card that comes with a larger SD adapter so you can use the card in a multitude of different ways.
While the overall size of the card and the capacity it offers can be staggering, the read and write speeds are adequate but won’t be setting any records.
If you’re more into having a ton of storage without a huge amount of speed, then the Extreme Pro microSDXC UHS-I from SanDisk is a great option for you.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Broad device compatibility | ➖ Read speed is slow |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Waterproof, shock and vibration proof, protected from airport x-rays, temperature proof
- 400GB
- Extreme Pro
- Read speed: up to 170MB/s; write speed: up to 90MB/s
- Operating temperature: -25ºC to 85ºC
5. Lexar Professional 633x SDXC UHS-I
Best memory card for photography
Card type: SDXC | Capacity: Up to 1TB | Read Speed: Up to 95 MB/s | Write Speed: Up to 45 Mb/s | Warranty: Lifetime limited warranty | Suitable for: Both photography and/or video (including 4K)
When a new camera owner first starts out, many tend to take as many pictures and videos as they can to get a better feel for what their camera can do.
This can fill up a card pretty quickly but with the Professional 633x SDXC UHS-I from Lexar, the transfer speeds are high enough to handle high volumes of both photos and video.
If you are a professional photographer, you also need a memory card that can handle a lot of photos. This product proves to be a great memory card for photography. It is designed to handle the rigors that come with professional use.
Lexar’s lower-capacity options can be purchased for a pretty reasonable price, but as you get closer to 1TB of storage, it may be outside someone’s budget. If you can afford it, get it, and you won’t be disappointed with years of continued use.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Great transfer speed | ➖ Pricey if you go for high-capacity |
| ➕ Robust |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- High-speed, Class 10 performance leverages UHS-I (U1 or U3 depends on capacity) technology for a read transfer speed up to 95MB/s (633x).
- Capture high quality images of stunning 1080p full-HD, 3D, and 4K video
- Enjoy shooting longer without changing cards large capacity options up to 1TB
- High-speed file transfer from card to computer to dramatically accelerate workflow
- Operating Temperature 0 Degrees Celsius to 70 Degrees Celsius ( 32 Degrees Fahrenheit to 158 Degrees Fahrenheit). Limited lifetime product support
6. Lexar Professional Class 10 UHS-II 2000X Speed
A great SD card for beginners and professionals
Card type: SDHC or SDXC | Capacity: Up to 128GB | Read Speed: Up to 300MB/s | Write Speed: Up to 260MB/s | Warranty: Lifetime limited warranty | Suitable for: Both photography and video (including 4K)
The Professional Class 10 UHS-II 2000X Speed from Lexar is a great choice for professional photographers and beginners as well.
Using UHS-II technology enables it to reach transfer speeds of up to 300 MB/s and write speeds of up to 260 MB/s. No matter what you’re shooting, whether is full HD, 4K video or even shooting Raw files, the card can handle all of it.
While the maximum capacity is less than what its competitors offer, whether you’re a professional photographer or just starting on this wonderful journey, the SD card from Lexar is a great choice.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Fast transfer speed | ➖Limited storage capacity |
| ➕ Lifetime warranty |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- High-speed performance—leverages UHS-II technology (U3) for a read transfer speed up to 300MB/s
- Captures high-quality images and extended lengths of Full-HD and cinema-quality 8K video
- Backwards compatible with UHS-I devices
- Designed for durability
- Limited lifetime warranty
7. SanDisk Extreme PRO SD UHS-II
An SD card for those looking for more speed
Card Type: SDXC | Capacity: Up to 128GB | Read Speed: Up to 300MB/s | Write Speed: Up to 260MB/s | Warranty: Lifetime limited warranty | Suitable for: Pros wanting to shoot swift bursts of high-res stills and video
If you have a memory card that can’t keep up with the shots you’re taking, you could end up missing an essential shot and that’s about as frustrating as it gets.
The Extreme PRO SD UHS-II from SanDisk helps alleviate those issues with reading speeds of up to 300 MB/s and write speeds of up to 260 MB/s making it a leader among other memory cards.
If you take images or videos of sports, and wildlife, or are looking to record video with the clarity of 4K resolution, this memory card is a must-have for you.
While the capacity tops out at 128GB, the focus of the card is the speed which is certainly impressive.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Good for 4K and 8K video | ➖ Biases speed over capacity |
| ➕ Good for rapid-fire stills |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Designed for professionals
- High read and write speeds
- Cinema-quality 4K video capture
- Designed to withstand extreme environments
8. Sony SF-G Tough SDXC
A super-tough memory card
Card Type: SDXC | Capacity: Up to 128GB | Read Speed: Up to 300 MB/s | Write Speed: Up to 299 MB/s | Warranty: Manufacturer’s | Suitable for: High-speed burst photography and video (including 4K)
If you take a lot of photos and record a lot of videos, it can be a nightmare to have something happen to your memory card that keeps it from working correctly. Thankfully, the SF-G Tough SDXC from Sony was created to eliminate that worry as best it can.
While no SD card is 100% destruction-proof, the SD card, part of Sony’s Tough line, states that it is dustproof and waterproof and is ‘bend-proof’ up to 18KG of exerted pressure.
Tested against drops, the card can simply be washed clean if it gets dirty. If you have the budget and shoot the kind of images that may require such a card, it is worth the money.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Tough | ➖ Tough build increases cost |
| ➕ Dust, dirt, and waterproof |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Tough specs: world's first one-piece molded construction with high hardness materials have resulted in the world's highest level of Bend strength, 18 times greater than the SD standard
- Ribless, no write protection switch design: world's first ribless, no write protection switch design6 removed easy to break Parts, such as rib
- Fast file transfer: up to 300 MB/s transfer speed and up to 299MB/s write speed 3. Uhs-ii, Class 10, U3 compliant. Fast writing speed excellent for 4K recording and continuous burst mode shooting
- Highest level Waterproof (ipx8*5) & dustproof (ip6x*5): completely sealed with monolithic structure, This card is waterproof (compliant to IPX8)
- Backward compatible with UHS-I compatible equipment: while highest performance is obtained using a UHS-II compatible camera, (up to 95MB/s transfer and 90MB/s writing speeds3)
9. PNY Elite Performance SDXC 512GB
A great capacity SD card at an affordable price
Card Type: SDXC | Capacity: Up to 512GB | Read Speed: Up to 95MB/s | Write Speed: Not specified | Warranty: Lifetime (limited) | Suitable for: High-speed burst photography and video (including 4K)
While PNY is known for making SD cards that can fit just about any photographer’s budget, the Elite Performance SDXC card stands out from the pack with its capacity range from 32GB to 512GB and without making users pay a lot for it.
With a read speed of 95 MB/s, the ‘Elite’ branding means that these cards are not only suitable for video but also durable.
The SD card is waterproof, shockproof, temperature, and magnet-proof. This means that any photographer from newbie to professional can trust that the card from PNY is a perfect choice and will provide peace of mind that will last.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Waterproof | ➖ You can get faster options |
| ➕ Lifetime warranty |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Sequential read speed of up to 95MB/s
- Class 10, U3 rating delivers speed and performance for burst mode HD photography and 4K Ultra HD videography
- Record, store and share videos, photos, music, files and more across device
- Compatible with point & shoot cameras, DSLR cameras, standard & advanced HD-enabled video cameras, and more
- Reliable & Durable: Magnet Proof, Shock Proof, Temperature Proof, Waterproof
10. Samsung PRO Endurance
The best MicroSD card for beginners
Card type: microSD (With SD adapter) | Capacity: Up to 128GB | Read Speed: Up to 100MB/s | Write speed: Up to 30MB/s | Warranty: Up to 5 years | Suitable for: Action cameras, dashcams, security cameras
While they are touted to be able to withstand harsh environments, last longer, and are best suited to be used in action cameras, the PRO Endurance MicroSDHC card from Samsung is the best MicroSD card you can get right now.
The claims that the manufacturer makes are backed up by the fact that they can record at reading/write speeds of 100MB/s and 300MB/s respectively.
At its highest capacity, and industry-best 43,800 hours of continuous video recording is promised. If you’re in the market for a MicroSD card, you can’t choose one better than the one from Samsung.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Durable | ➖ Difficult to handle |
| ➕ Suitable for all kind of devices |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Up to 43,800 hours of 4K and Full HD (1080p) recording and playback with capacities up to 256 GB
- Up to 100 MB/s read and 90 MB/s write speeds with class 10 and U3 compatibility. Performance varies by capacity
- Designed specifically for video monitoring cameras (dash cams, surveillance & security cams, CCTV, body cams, etc.)
- Reliability built to last: Waterproof, Shockproof, Temperature proof, X-ray proof, Magnet proof
- Secures data with a limited warranty up to 5 years. Warranty varies by capacity
11. Sony XQD G Series Memory Card
The best XQD card available
Card type: XQD | Capacity: Up to 64GB | Read Speed: Up to 440 MB/s | Write Speed: Up to 400 MB/s | Warranty: Manufacturer’s | Suitable for: High-speed burst photography and video (including 4K)
While it’s not a widely supported card format, the XQD card has been adopted by Nikon for some of the DSLRs AND Z-series full-frame mirrorless cameras. If you happen to have one of these cameras, using the G Series Memory Card from Sony seems like a match made in heaven.
With both read and write speeds of more than 400Mbps it can keep up with just about anything you want to do and then when it comes time to transfer them to your computer at home, it will be done in moments.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕ Maximum read 440MB/s | ➖ Expensive |
| ➕ High speed |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Both PCI Express Gen2 Interface and USB 3.0 (Super speed) are supported for higher performance and easy connection to PCs
- Maximum read 440MB/s, and maximum write 400MB/s
- High speed burst shooting with DSLR cameras
- Recessed pins add contact protection from damage, dust, or electrostatic shock
- Increased shell Strength Provides a robust structure for reliable use.Operating temperature range:-25-+65°c (non-condensing)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which SD card to buy?
Firstly, decide for what purpose you want to use the SD card and where you want to insert it. As per the compatibility, pick the physical size like microSD, miniSD, or SD. Then check the speed class. For fast data transfer and seamless high-quality video recording, opt for a class 10 SD card.
Finally, look for the size of the card such as 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, and so on. The more storage you need, opt for a suitable one.
Which class of memory cards is best?
Class 10 is the best class for memory cards as they are the fastest and suitable for full HD video recording. However, if you just want to store files on your SD card, then your class 4 and class 6 cards are good enough on a budget.
Is it good to use an SD card as internal storage?
Using SD cards as internal storage is often a good option. However, if you use a slow SD card for the same, then speed will suffer and apps won't load quickly. It also disrupts the gaming experience. You might find trouble while finding files and failure of the card can cause data corruption in your device.
What is the difference between a memory card and an SD card?
Memory cards and SD cards are different in physical size as memory cards, usually known as microSD are smaller in size. The max capacity and security technology are also different for both cards.
Best Memory Cards in 2024
In 2024, we should all strive to try new things and have experiences that change us for the better—learning how to become a photographer, even as a hobby, can have a profound impact on your life as a whole.
We hope our list of the Best Memory Cards in 2024 inspires you to try something new and see things you’ve never seen before. You can also read our blog on the best graphics cards for video editing.
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