How to Choose the Right SD Card for Photography and Video

Choosing the right SD card might not seem like a big decision—until your camera buffers mid-shot, your video recording fails, or you run out of space at a critical moment. Whether you're photographing portraits or filming in 4K, having the correct SD card ensures smooth performance and reliable storage.

Let’s break down what to look for so you know how to pick the right SD card.

How to choose the right SD card:

1. Understand the Types of SD Cards

There are a few different types of SD cards on the market:

• SD (Secure Digital) – Up to 2GB, rarely used today

• SDHC (High Capacity) – 2GB to 32GB, suitable for basic photography

• SDXC (Extended Capacity) – 64GB to 2TB, ideal for high-resolution photo and video

• microSD – Smaller cards used in action cameras, drones, and mobile devices

For most modern DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, SDXC is the preferred and most widely supported option.

2. Speed Ratings: What Do All Those Symbols Mean?

Speed matters—especially if you're recording high-resolution video or shooting bursts of RAW images.

Here’s what to look for:

Rating Type	Symbol	Best For
Class 10	10 inside a C	Basic HD photo and video
UHS-I / U1	1 inside a U	HD video, casual shooting
UHS-I / U3	3 inside a U	4K video, fast burst mode
Video Speed (V30, V60, V90)	V30 = 30MB/s, etc.	Pro-level 4K/6K/8K video

For 4K video or fast continuous shooting, choose a U3 or V30+ card. Lower-rated cards may result in stutter, dropped frames, or corrupted files.

3. Choose the Right Capacity

The amount of storage you need depends on your camera, file format, and how frequently you shoot.

Use Case	Recommended Size
Portrait/Lifestyle Photography	32GB–64GB
Wedding/Event Photography	128GB–256GB
Full HD Video	64GB–128GB
4K Video or RAW Video	256GB–512GB+

Many professionals recommend using multiple smaller cards instead of one large card to reduce the risk of losing everything if a card fails.

4. Match the Card to Your Camera

Before you buy, double-check your camera’s specs:

• Does it support UHS-I or UHS-II? UHS-II cards have extra pins for faster write/read speeds.

• What's the maximum card capacity your camera supports?

• Are you capturing RAW files, high-frame-rate video, or large JPEGs?

For example, I shoot with a Canon R6 and use ProGrade Digital V60 and V90 cards. These UHS-II cards provide fast, reliable performance for both high-resolution stills and 4K video. The R6 supports dual SD card slots with UHS-II compatibility, making fast write speeds essential when recording backups or large bursts.

5. Stick to Trusted Brands

There’s a big difference between cheap, generic SD cards and trusted, pro-grade brands. Reliability is key, especially during important client shoots.

Recommended brands include:

• ProGrade Digital

• SanDisk (Extreme or Extreme Pro series)

• Sony (Tough series)

• Lexar Professional

• Delkin Devices

Personally, I rely on ProGrade cards for all my photography and video work. They've consistently handled large RAW files, long video clips, and dual-slot recording without issue.

Quick Summary: Which Card Is Right for You?

• Beginner photographers: 64GB SDXC, Class 10 or U1

• Enthusiast shooters: 128GB SDXC, U3, V30

• Event/Wedding shooters: 256GB+, UHS-II, V60 or V90

• Videographers (4K+): UHS-II, V60 or V90, fast sustained write speeds

If you’re using a mirrorless camera like the Canon R6, always aim for UHS-II cards with at least V60 speed ratings to keep up with today’s demanding file formats.

Final Thoughts

Your SD card might be small, but it plays a huge role in your workflow. Choosing the right one helps prevent lag, errors, and even file loss—especially during fast-paced or high-stakes shoots.

Whether you're a hobbyist or a working pro, investing in the right card ensures your creative work is captured and stored safely.

Need help picking gear for your setup? I’m always happy to offer advice or share what’s worked best for me and my clients here at Ben Gifford Media.