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Best Memory Cards For 4K Video
The best memory card for 4K video depends on your camera’s bitrate, not on the brand. A V30 card is the minimum for most 4K. If you shoot 4K at 60fps, or your camera records at a very high bitrate, step up to V60 or V90. CFexpress is only for cameras built for it.
Below are the five cards we stock, what each is for, and how to check what your camera needs before you buy.
Our pick for each use
| If you shoot... | Card | Price | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday 4K on a budget | Promaster SDHC Advanced UHS-I V30, 32GB | $34 | Meets the V30 minimum at the lowest price |
| 4K at higher frame rates or bitrates | SanDisk Extreme PRO SDXC V60 UHS-II, 64GB | $89 | V60 gives you headroom over V30 |
| Action cam, drone or phone | SanDisk Extreme microSDXC UHS-I, 512GB | $99 | Large capacity in the microSD size |
| Demanding 4K and above | SanDisk Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-II V90, 128GB | $179 | V90 is the top SD video rating |
| Cameras with a CFexpress slot | Promaster CFexpress 4.0 Type B VPG400, 1TB | $599 | Fastest card we sell, with 2,000MB/s sustained write |
What V30, V60 and V90 mean
The V number is the card’s minimum sustained write speed in MB/s. V30 means 30MB/s, V60 means 60MB/s and V90 means 90MB/s. Sustained speed matters more than the headline “up to” number, because video needs a steady stream of data, not a short burst.
Your camera’s bitrate is measured in megabits per second (Mbps). Divide it by 8 to get MB/s. A camera recording 4K at 100Mbps writes about 12.5MB/s, so a V30 card is plenty. A camera recording at 400Mbps writes about 50MB/s, which is when V60 or V90 starts to make sense. The bitrate is listed in your camera’s manual or in its video menu.
If you’re not sure, buy one rating higher than you think you need.
Micro SD card for 4K video recording
Action cameras, drones and many phones take microSD. The SanDisk Extreme microSDXC 512GB is rated V30, U3 and A2, with up to 190MB/s read and 130MB/s write. That covers 4K recording on the devices that use this size.
Check what your device supports before you buy. Some drones and action cameras limit the maximum card size, so look this up first. [VERIFY on your own devices]
When you need CFexpress
Only buy CFexpress if your camera has a CFexpress Type B slot. It won’t work in an SD slot. The Promaster CFexpress 4.0 Type B 1TB is rated VPG400, with up to 3,500MB/s read and 3,100MB/s write (2,000MB/s sustained). It’s for high-bitrate and raw video, where an SD card can’t keep up. If your camera records to SD, you don’t need it.
How much footage fits
These are rough figures at a constant bitrate. Real footage varies by camera and settings.
| Bitrate | Per hour | 32GB | 64GB | 128GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100Mbps | about 45GB | about 43 min | about 85 min | about 2.8 hours |
| 400Mbps | about 180GB | about 11 min | about 21 min | about 43 min |
At 100Mbps, the 512GB microSD holds about 11 hours. At 400Mbps, the 1TB CFexpress holds about 5.5 hours. Buy more capacity than you think you’ll shoot, because you’ll want room to avoid deleting clips mid-trip.
Check your camera first
A card only helps if your camera can use it. Check three things: the card slot type (SD, microSD or CFexpress), whether the slot supports UHS-II, and the speed rating your video mode needs. A UHS-II card still works in a UHS-I slot, but at the slower UHS-I speed. [VERIFY]
Not sure which camera you need? Browse our mirrorless cameras, DSLRs or point-and-shoots. For a travel setup, see our best point-and-shoot cameras for travel and best travel lens guides. You can see every card in our memory card category.
FAQ
Is V30 enough for 4K video?
For most cameras recording 4K at 30fps, yes. Higher frame rates and high-bitrate modes may need V60 or V90. Check your camera’s manual.
What size memory card do I need for 4K?
It depends on how long you shoot. Use the table above: at 100Mbps, 64GB gives you about 85 minutes.
Can I use a microSD card for 4K video?
Yes, in devices that take microSD, as long as the card has the speed rating your camera needs.
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