Digital cameras today have simplified video a great deal. We’re forced to keep up with the technology that demands faster speeds, easier processes and higher quality.
Memory cards play a big part in making your videos look good and using the wrong one can make your footage look like trash.
For any content creator looking to record videos for YouTube, you’ll go through plenty of SD cards, so make sure you choose the one that will be reliable.
Along with a powerful camera, a robust memory card is the other prerequisite. From HD videos to 4K videos there are memory cards that you can trust.
Why do you need a SD card?
Most cameras come without built-in memory. An SD card is an accessory that provides the space to store the captured photos and videos. There are different configurations of SD cards available. Reading and writing to the SD card is possible by directly plugging the camera into a laptop, or by using a memory card reader or adapter to access the files.
If you are looking for a memory card for using in your DSLR camera or camcorder for video recording then you would need a conventional SD card.
For smartphone recording of videos, a microSD card is used. This card can be used in a digital camera by placing it in an SD card adapter, such as the USB-C Hub if you are working on a mac.
Why speed matters on an SD card
The speed of the Memory/SD cards determines the speed at which data transfers can happen to and from the device where the card is used as the storage device.
The speed at which files can be written on the card and data can be transferred from the card to another device depends on the card’s read and write speeds.
Many cameras have different bitrates that a format needs to function at. You need to have the right card to keep up with the speed demand coming from the camera. This is why SD card speed matters a lot.
How to Choose an SD/Memory Card
What type of camera do you own?
Standard DSLRs and Mirrorless cameras that shoot 1080p can usually take any SD Card.
Cinema-level cameras like the Sony A7SIII demand much more information in the footage, so you need a heavy duty memory card to keep up
For casual use with standard 1080p functions and short videos, you won’t need high reading and writing speeds. Most cameras can keep up with your video payload. If you are recording from high quality 4K/6K/8K camera format, you might need even 500MBps of writing speeds. You need to match that with your SD card at the very least.
V30, V60 or V90?
V30 cards will allow for effortless shooting with lower bitrates. This is typical for standard DSLR’s and Mirrorless cameras that can record 1080p video, even 4K.
Most cameras today are getting much more advanced in terms of color information, so these cards might not cut it when you shoot longer clips.
V60 are more reliable at higher bitrates and will preserve the sharpness of your footage much better. They may allow you to record for longer periods of time if shooting at a high bitrate.
V90 cards have a minimum sequential writing speed of around 100mb/sec, and are used for high quality/cinema cameras capable of shooting in higher bitrates. (Sony, A7IV, Sony A7SIII, FX3, etc.)
If you’re shooting 4K 30fps with a bitrate higher than 100mb/sec, you should probably use a V90 card to ensure the card writes the footage.
Anything above that – ie. 6K, 8K, ProRes, RAW format, 120fps – a V90 card is needed at minimum.
Let’s dive in to the best SD cards for 4K Video Recording in 2022!
The 7 Best SD Cards for Recording 4K YouTube Videos in 2022
1. Lexar Professional 128GB SDXC Card
· Supports 3D and 4K video recording
· Transfer speeds up to 250MBps
Featuring UHS-II technology this card works perfectly even with devices featuring UHS-I. Full-HD videos and 4K videos can all be recorded nicely.
This card works well in camcorders new and old as well as in DSLR cameras with 4K. The reliable transfer speeds it delivers makes it a popular option among the pros who handle large-sized video files regularly. Card to laptop data transfer is very fast.
Works better when it comes to varied framed rate image video recording and also for recording long videos. It provides solid performance for transferring data both directly from the camera and in a card reader.
This is worthy of the best SD card because Lexar is one of the most trusted brands out there. They make budget-friendly but reliable cards!
2. PNY 128GB Class 10 U3 SDXC Memory Card
· Supports read speeds up to 95MBps
· Supports burst mode in photography
Another class 10 high-speed memory card on this list, it is a great card for HD photos and 4K UHD videos.
For any mirrorless camera where consistency in data transfer speeds is important this card works conveniently. It provides lag-free video recording in higher resolutions and in high definition and 4K quality as well.
As a well-made card, this one is magnet proof. So, interferences would not lead to data corruption on the card. It can also withstand high and low temperatures.
3. ProGrade SD UHS-II 64GB Card
· Up to 250MBps speeds for data read
· Supports up to 10MBps write speeds
· Supports RAW photo storage
It is one of the most popular SD cards among vloggers and YouTube content creators.
It seamlessly works in all digital cameras for videography and photography. Videos of varied frame rates and resolution can be recorded and saved instantly. It doesn’t display the slightest lag even after recording a 4K video on a high-resolution camera.
Anyone who is looking for professional performance would find this card to be a suitable purchase. It is one of the very few cards that deliver consistent performance for data read and write functions.
4. Gigastone 128GB SD Card
· As a U1 grade card, it supports UHD video recording
· Supports transfer speeds up to 45MBps
Another popular SD card with a built-in lock to toggle read-only mode, this one can be useful for protecting all the content you record for your YouTube channel. It offers professional-grade performance at a lower budget.
This card doesn’t support 4K video recording but it can be used for high definition videos.
Without buffering issues and transfer lags, this one can also be used to broadcast videos in real-time. It works well in camcorders for continuous video recording and also in professional DSLR cameras for photo and video capture.
2. SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC
· 90MBps shot speeds
· Up to 170MBps read speeds
· HD and 4K video recording capabilities
This is the best bang-for-your-buck purchase for an SD card.
Anyone who loves to create and capture HD or 4K videos might find this card to be a good option. Its fast transfer speeds make it easy to capture videos and transfer them to your computer for editing and sharing.
It is one of the most robust cards in the segment with a shockproof, waterproof, x-ray-proof, and temperature-proof build. It is the perfect companion for all the cameras with UHS-I/V30/U3 compatibility.
This card should fit any generic 1080p model and record flawlessly.
To add more value to your purchase this one also comes with a complimentary 2-year data recovery software subscription. This lets you preserve critical data and recover it after accidental deletion or loss of data.
6. Lexar Professional 32GB SDHC Memory Card
· Supports data transfer rates up to 95 MBps
· Class 10 configuration for reliable data read and write
For YouTube content creators looking for low-budget memory cards, this is one of the trusted options. As an entry-level card, this one offers consistent performance. Now that most of the DSLR cameras support both UHD and 4K video recording this card can be used to quickly save these large video files without delays.
With the fast write speeds, you can quickly start recording again after the previous file is saved. Burst photos where rapid write speeds are critical also work well.
7. Sony Professional XQD G series 120GB Memory Card (CFAST CARD)
· Supports transfer speeds up to 440MBps
· CFast for Sony Cameras
· Durable design for extended use
For the pros looking for a high-end memory card they can use for long term, this is one of the most reliable options.
Make sure your Sony camera is compatible with CFAST Cards. This will ensure you have super fast writing and reading speeds and you can shoot effortlessly.
All the supported capacities come with impressive read and write speeds. It provides dependable performance for photo and video recording functions. This card optimizes 4K video recording on a wide range of cinema camera types. It works smoothly for burst shots even with high shutter speed settings.
440MBps may be overkill if you are beginning, but this bitrate makes your 4K footage even more sharp. Also, file sizes may be bigger!
Which Memory/SD Card is best for 4K Videos in 2022?
It depends on multiple things –
What camera are you using?
What is the minimum bitrate you can shoot on with your camera?
How much storage do you need?
The best SD cards in the list should provide you with a scope of options.
Understanding your file sizes, transfer speeds and budget is vital to choosing the right card. It’s better to have more storage and faster speeds if you are going to update your technology in the future. (Which we all do)
With these resilient cards loaded in your cameras, you can confidently capture the most stunning videos without worry!
Check out our article on the best cameras for YouTube!
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