So, you’ve purchased the camera that you have always wanted, but what about the memory card? Having a great camera with the wrong memory card will cripple the performance of your camera. Today, I want to compare 4 models of Sandisk cards that are the most popular among professional photographers and videographers.
The Sandisk Extreme Pro, the Sandisk Extreme Plus, Sandisk Extreme, and Sandisk Ultra are among the best cards in the market based on their quality, performance, and reliability. First, let’s compare the specifications of all three models. Durability: Water / Shock / X-Ray Proof Water / Shock / X-Ray Proof Water / Shock / X-Ray Proof Water / Shock / X-Ray Proof  Durability: Water / Shock / X-Ray Proof Durability: Water / Shock / X-Ray Proof Durability: Water / Shock / X-Ray Proof Durability: Water / Shock / X-Ray Proof SanDisk Cards Comparison (2021 Update)When I originally published the SanDisk comparison review, my goal was to explain the differences between three SanDisk memory card models—the SanDisk Extreme Pro, the SanDisk Extreme Plus, the SanDisk Extreme, and SanDisk Ultra. At the time, the SanDisk Extreme Pro was positioned at the top as the preferred card for professional photographers. The SanDisk Extreme Plus was below the Pro model, followed by the SanDisk Extreme, and at the bottom were Ultra Plus and Ultra models. Some models’ differences were not drastic and confused many photographers. SanDisk recognized the problem and restructured its memory card lineup. They started to phase out the SanDisk Extreme Plus and Ultra Plus in the last couple of years. At this time, you can find the Extreme Plus in a few locations that are getting rid of their existing stock. Right now, the SanDisk SD memory card lineup looks like this: At the very top is the SanDisk Extreme Pro, which is what I use in my photography. At the bottom is the SanDisk Ultra, which is a budget model. Somewhere in between but closer to the top is the SanDisk Extreme. When Write Speed Matters?The digital data is temporarily stored in the camera’s buffer when we take pictures with our digital cameras. The buffer is the internal memory bank similar to the Random Access Memory (RAM) you find in a computer. The camera must offload the data to a memory card when the buffer is filled with digital images. This is when the memory card’s write speed comes into play. The faster the write speed, the faster the camera’s buffer is emptied, and the quicker we can continue shooting. The maximum write Speed of the Sandisk Extreme Pro is 90MB/s, the Sandisk Extreme Plus has a max write Speed of 60MB/s, and the Sandisk Extreme has a max write Speed of 40MB/s. The maximum write speed parameter issue is that it only indicates the top burst speed, which cannot be sustained for an extended period without fluctuations. The limitation is not a problem for still photography, but if you shoot 4K videos, the write speed should be constant without ups and downs. Because of the popularity of videography, the concept of “minimum write speed” was introduced. It indicates the maximum speed value that can be sustained for an extended period without dipping below that value. The minimum write Speed of the Sandisk Extreme Plus, and the Sandisk Extreme is identical at 30MB/s, and the Sandisk Extreme Pro has a max write Speed of 40MB/s. There isn’t much to separate when you shoot video. The only photographers who can take advantage of the faster write speed of the Sandisk Extreme Pro are those who shoot a high volume of photos in long bursts. For example, wildlife and sports photographers. When Read Speed Matters?The read speed is how fast the data can be read from the card or transferred to another computer or device. While 99% of photography depends on faster write speeds, read speed is paramount for sports photographers, photojournalists, and event photographers. It is especially vital during international sporting events when shooting and transferring images must be immediate; a faster read speed is necessary. The Sandisk Extreme Pro has a read speed of 95MB/s, while the Sandisk Extreme Plus and Sandisk Extreme have a read speed of 90MB/s. The difference is minimal and usually only matters if you are a professional photographer whose job depends on how fast you can deliver your photos. To illustrate the point, sports and event photographers tend to shoot JPEGs whenever they don’t have time to edit pictures. A 16GB card can hold about 1,400 36MP JPEG pictures. Transferring them will take about 168 seconds at 95MB/s and 178 seconds at 90MB/s. The difference is minimal and usually only matters if you are a professional photographer whose job depends on how fast you can deliver your photos. Comparing SanDisk Ultra vs Extreme“I just bought my first camera. What SD memory card should I buy—the SanDisk Ultra or the SanDisk Extreme?” My blog readers ask this common question, so I thought it might make sense to address it here. When choosing between SanDisk Ultra vs Extreme, it is important to understand 2 things:
Entry Level SanDisk 256GB Ultra 6 Card Type: SDXC, 256GB, UHS-I, U1 / Class 10, Water / Shock / X-Ray Proof
Top Budget Buy SanDisk 256GB Extreme 9 Card Type: SDXC, 2568 GB, UHS-I, U3 / V30 / Class 10, Water / Shock / X-Ray Proof
SanDisk Ultra Vs. Extreme: Read Speed and Write SpeedWhen comparing the read speed of the SanDisk Ultra vs Extreme SD memory cards, you won’t find significant differences (120MB/s vs 150MB/s). It means that the transfer speed of the images from a memory card to a computer will be comparable. But, the gap in write speed between SanDisk Ultra vs Extreme is enormous (70MB/s vs 10MB/s). Transferring photos from a camera buffer to a memory card will take 9 times longer when using SanDisk Ultra. SanDisk Ultra Vs. Extreme: VideoSince most photographers use their DSLRs and mirrorless cameras to shoot video, the video characteristics of memory cards are essential. Because of the low Minimum Write Speed (10MB/s), the SanDisk Ultra memory card can only record videos at 1080p resolution. And because the Minimum Write Speed of SanDisk Extreme cards is 3 times higher, they are capable of recording 4K video without any issues. Should you buy SanDisk Ultra or Extreme?Please do not consider the SanDisk Ultra for your new camera because it will hurt its performance. When I’m in the field shooting, the most frustrating thing for me is to wait until the camera finishes transferring the images from the buffer to a memory card before continuing shooting. I use the fastest memory cards available, but it still takes 10 to 15 seconds to complete the transfer. Using a slow memory card like the SanDisk Ultra will take minutes for the camera to clear the buffer. You will miss many shooting opportunities at this time. Spend the extra $10 to get the faster model. The only scenario that I see where the SanDisk Ultra is ideal is when you have an older camera model with a slow internal writing speed that cannot take advantage of faster memory cards. Another instance where the SanDisk Ultra might be beneficial is when using the card for archival purposes. Comparing SanDisk Extreme vs Extreme ProThe SanDisk Extrem Pro is positioned as a professional-grade model at the top of the SanDisk lineup. And the SanDisk Extrem is a top consumer-grade model. When you compare SanDisk Extreme vs. Extreme Pro, you will not find huge differences. Professional Grade SanDisk 256GB Extreme PRO 10 Card Type: SDXC, 256 GB, UHS-I, U3 / V30 / Class 10, Water / Shock / X-Ray Proof
Top Budget Buy SanDisk 256GB Extreme 9 Card Type: SDXC, 256 GB, UHS-I, U3 / V30 / Class 10, Water / Shock / X-Ray Proof
The Max Read Speed, Max Write Speed, and Min Write Speed of SanDisk Extreme Pro are faster than SanDisk Extreme, but not by much. Both card models can record video at 4K resolution. The main difference is the volume capacity offered by SanDisk Extreme vs Extreme Pro. At the moment of writing the article, the maximum capacity of the Extreme Pro is 256GB. The SanDisk Extreme Pro offers a maximum volume capacity of 1T (1000GB). I used both SanDisk Extreme and Extreme Pro models in my photography at different times, and I was always happy with both models. But since, at present, I prefer 512GB capacity for all my cards, the Extreme Pro is my only option. Comparing Sandisk Extreme vs Extreme PlusAs I mentioned earlier, SanDisk discontinued the Extreme Plus model, and now two of your best choices are Sandisk Extreme and Sandisk Extreme Pro models. If you are looking for a budget option, the Sandisk Extreme is your best choice. And if you need top of a line model, you go for the Sandisk Extreme Pro model What Specifications to Look for When Selecting SD Memory Card1. Types of SD Memory CardsSD cards have evolved over the years in terms of their Speed and capacity. The original SD card had a capacity limit of only 2GB. By introducing a new file format, it was possible to increase the card’s capacity to 32GB. The suffix was added to the SD name, making it the Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC). The last iteration of the SD card is the Secure Digital eXtended Capacity (SDXC) version that allows increasing the card’s capacity up to 2TB (theoretically, at least for now). What this means is that pretty much any memory card you purchase today will have SDXC marking. 2. Read Speed vs Write SpeedRead Speed and Write Speed cause the most confusion when photographers select the right card. Let me explain. Most memory card manufacturers specify the Speed of the card on the card itself. The Speed is measured in megabytes per second (MB/s). The Speed indicates how fast the data can be read from the card (Read Speed). But, as photographers, we do not care much about the Read Speed. When we’re outside shooting, what matters is how fast the data can be written from the buffer to the card, which is the Write Speed. I blame the marketing strategies of memory card manufacturers for this confusion. Since the Read Speed is always higher than the Write Speed, it is common to display the Read Speed even though it can be misleading. For example, checking out the Lexar 128GB memory card indicates that the card speed is 95 MB/s, which is very high. But, if you dig deeper into the specifications, you can find that the actual Write Speed is only 20 MB/s, which is not overwhelmingly fast. Max. Write Speed: 20 MB/s Before buying, always check the memory card specifications to determine the card’s Write Speed. If you cannot find it, avoid buying it. 3. Speed Class RatingsThe maximum Write Speed of any memory card indicates only the burst speed, which cannot be sustained for an extended period. This issue is not too critical for still photography, but the Write Speed must be fast and constant if you shoot high-definition videos with your camera. To address the matter, the Minimum Write Speed was introduced. The Minimum Write Speed indicates the fastest speed that can be maintained for an extended period and never falls below that value. Based on Minimum Write Speed, the SD memory cards are categorized into the following classes:
At this point, the most common classes are U1, U3, and Class 10. 4. Video Speed ClassWith the development of new video formats (4k, 8k, and 360 videos), the SD Association felt the need to create a new speed rating dedicated to video recording. So far, there are 4-speed classes, which is just another way to indicate a Minimum Write Speed for any particular memory card.
5. UHS-I vs UHS-IIIf you thought the information above was confusing, I have bad news for you—more SD card variations directly affect the card’s speed. Not long ago, a new variation of the SDXC card was introduced. It features a much faster bus speed and, to sustain that speed, new pin connections were also introduced. At this point, there are two types of cards—UHS-I and UHS-II. It is easy to tell the cards apart by looking at the back. USH-II cards have two rows of pins, and the UHS-I card has only one row of pins. Important. Please note, to take advantage of the higher bus speed and, as a result, the faster Write Speed, you need a camera with UHS-II support. If you use the USH-II card with a camera that only supports the UHS-I interface, the speed will default to the UHS-I values. 6. The volume capacityThe megapixel count of the camera’s digital sensors gradually increases what affects the size of digital files the camera produces. For example, my Fujifilm XT2 produces RAW files approximately 25MB in size. If I had a 16Gb memory card, I could store only around 640 images. I would have to use multiple cards throughout the day, which is not very practical. The good news is that digital memory’s price has drastically decreased in the last five years or so. Now, the cost of SD Memory cards is not as prohibitive as it was in the past. It allows me to buy the SD Memory cards with a larger volume capacity that I need and use them as an additional backup device. Let me explain. When I travel, I use my memory cards as backup devices. In my Fujifilm camera, I have a dual memory card slot. I configured the camera to simultaneously save photos I take to both slots/cards, a.k.a. backup mode. It gives me redundancy from the moment I press the shutter. I never format my memory cards during my photography trips and never delete new photos from them. I only format them when I am back home, and all the new images are safely backed up to the cloud. At this point, all my memory cards have a storage capacity of 256Gb and 512Gb. 7. ReliabilityLastly, you must make sure the memory card you purchase is reliable. Two major factors affect reliability—quality and authenticity. First, make sure to buy cards manufactured by known and reliable brands like SanDisk. You should specifically avoid buying unknown brands from Asia. Second, buy cards from reputable retailers to avoid running the risk of purchasing counterfeit cards. For example, B&H Photo and Adorama are safe choices. If you prefer to shop on Amazon, make sure the cards are sold and fulfilled by Amazon or a retailer you trust, like SanDisk or Adorama. Try to avoid buying from eBay or suspect online stores. SanDisk Cards I Recommend for Photo & VideoTOP RATED MEMORY CARD SanDisk 256GB Extreme PRO 10 Card Type: SDXC, 256 GB, UHS-I, U3 / V30 / Class 10, Water / Shock / X-Ray Proof
TOP BUDGET BUY SanDisk 256GB Extreme 9 Card Type: SDXC, 256 GB, UHS-I, U3 / V30 / Class 10, Water / Shock / X-Ray Proof
TOP MICRO SD CARD FOR GOPRO SanDisk 256Gb Extreme Micro 9 Card Type: SDXC, 256 GB, UHS-I, U3 / V30 / Class 10, Water / Shock / X-Ray Proof
How Long Do the Best SD Cards Last?It is one of the most popular questions I am asked about SD memory cards. Even though it is a valid concern, let me assure you that SD memory cards are the most durable and longest-lasting pieces of photography equipment. According to technical specifications, modern SD memory cards have a minimum life of 100.000 write cycles. It means that if you format your SD memory card three times daily, it will last 100 years. From my experience, the two main reasons for memory card failure are mistreatment and purchasing counterfeit or low-quality memory cards. Here are a few ways to maximize the life of your memory cards:
Use the protective case to minimize the risk of physical damage and accidental loss. What is SanDisk Extreme Plus used for?The SanDisk Extreme PLUS microSDXC UHS-I Card lets you shoot more and transfer even faster. Quick read speeds of up to 95MB/s (3) save you time when transferring big files of high-resolution images and 4K Ultra HD videos (1).
Is SanDisk Extreme better than pro?If the price is not the most important factor for you, SanDisk Extreme Pro is better than SanDisk Extreme in the aspects of data speed, capacity options, and compatibility. With a SanDisk Extreme Pro microSDXC card, you can enjoy the maximum read speed of 170MB/s, which can save you more time.
What is the difference between SanDisk Extreme?ultra is high end consumer; extreme is high end professional. both intended for devices requiring high speed storage for photography. ultra good for recording up to 1080p HD; extreme is higher speed, and can record up to 4K video.
Is SanDisk Extreme plus a good card?The Sandisk Extreme Plus is a great memory card for most devices. It has very fast read speeds, but also relatively fast write speeds as well. In cameras that have slower write speeds, the Sandisk Extreme Plus is often the best option.
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What is the difference between SanDisk Extreme Pro and Extreme Plus?
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