Comprehensive walkthrough on selecting and purchasing memory cards
In the realm of digital photography, memory cards play a pivotal role in storing and transferring images. Here's a rundown of some popular memory card types, their prices, speeds, and usage in various cameras.
Price and Capacity
- The 256GB Lexar CFexpress Type B card costs £286.
- The 64GB SanDisk Extreme PRO card costs £68, and the 128GB SanDisk Extreme PRO card costs £133.
- The best value CF card is the 32GB Lexar Professional (160MB/s), costing £35.
- A 160GB CFexpress Type A card costs around £370 - £399.
- The 120GB Sony XQD G series card costs £161.
- The 64GB Lexar CFexpress Type B card costs £129.
- Samsung 128GB MicroSD card with SD adapter and Samsung 256GB MicroSD card with SD adapter are some of the best MicroSD memory cards to buy.
Speed Class Ratings
U1 and U3 are UHS speed class ratings, with U1 indicating a minimum of 10MB/s sequential write speed and U3 indicating a minimum of 30MB/s sequential write speed. V30, V60, and V90 are Video speed class ratings, indicating minimum sequential write speeds of 30MB/sec, 60MB/sec, and 90MB/sec respectively.
Memory Card Types and Usage
SD cards are the most commonly used memory cards in digital cameras. UHS-II cards are a newer, faster breed of SD memory cards, offering quicker read and write speeds. Some companies offer a range of 'TOUGH' SD cards designed to be stronger than normal. MicroSD cards are used in compact cameras and other devices, but don't always offer as high speeds as UHS-II SD cards.
CFexpress cards offer higher read and write speeds using technology standards that are already widely in use in computing technology. CFexpress Type A cards are used in cameras like the Sony A7S III, Sony A1, Sony A7 IV, and Sony A7R V. CFexpress Type-B cards are available from brands such as Sony, SanDisk, and Lexar, with impressive read and write speeds. Notable CFexpress Type B cameras include the Nikon Z6 (II), Z7 (II), Z9, Canon EOS R3, Canon EOS R5, Fujifilm X-H2S, and X-H2.
XD, Smart Media, and Sony Memory Stick memory card formats are no longer used in new cameras and will only be needed if you are shooting with an old camera. If you have a high-speed card, then you're going to need a high-speed memory card reader, so make sure you get the latest USB 3.x memory card reader that is compatible with your computer.
Choosing the Right Memory Card
When choosing a memory card, look for a card with the fastest WRITE speeds. Many cards display the MB/s speed they support, but this is often the maximum read speed. It's also important to format the memory card in your camera (after backing up all your photos), as then the memory card will be setup with the right file format needed for your camera.
Beware of Fake Memory Cards
It's worth checking the warranty provided and any 'tough' credentials when buying a memory card. If you do end up with a fake or faulty memory card, then you could end up losing precious photos and being unable to recover them. Be sure to stick to trusted retailers when buying a memory card.
In conclusion, the best memory card is the fastest you can afford, in the right format for your camera. Some companies provide free recovery software with their memory cards, so that you can recover deleted images. It's always a good idea to invest in a high-quality memory card to ensure the safety and speed of your photography.
