John Chad, Bachelor Degree in Computer Science & Computer Engineering.
Russel Collins
The camera is one of those things that many people think they can’t live without. It takes pictures and videos in amazing quality, but there are some problems with it too. In order to get high-quality footage from your cameras, you’ll have to use a good storage device. There are several types of flash drives available today, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Some come at higher prices than others, while still not offering the same performance as other devices. So if you want something cheap yet reliable, look into getting a microSD card. This type of memory stick offers great value for money by giving you plenty of room to save your data.
Today I’m going to take a closer look at what size microSD card you really need when shooting in full HD resolution. We’ve already discussed why you might want one here. Now let’s find out which ones are the best micro sd card for 5k video.
Do you need a special SD card for 5k?
Before we begin discussing different sizes, it’s important to note that there isn’t necessarily anything wrong with using standard SD cards for shooting in Full HD mode. However, most modern cameras work fine with smaller capacities like 32 GB. As such, these small capacity sticks aren’t recommended unless you specifically plan to shoot in 4K or 2160p resolutions.
In case you didn’t know, 1920×1080 pixels is known as 1080p while 3840×2160 pixels is called Ultra HD/4K. You may see them referred to interchangeably depending on who you ask. Either way, you won’t benefit from shooting a lot of footage in either of these modes with normal SD cards. While there are no technical reasons against doing so, they simply don’t provide enough space to fit everything on any given frame. Instead, you should only use larger capacity microSD cards when shooting in 5K resolution.
That being said, you shouldn’t expect your existing SD card to play nice with your new 5K camera just because it was made for lower resolutions. That means you’ll need to buy a specific version of a microSD card designed for shooting in ultra HD resolutions. These cards usually feature unique pin configurations, connectors, etc. Not only will this help protect your investment, but it will increase compatibility between brands and models as well. Unfortunately, it doesn’t mean you’ll never encounter issues — sometimes manufacturers put proprietary pins inside their devices leading to incompatibility. Fortunately, microSD cards generally don’t cost very much, so you probably won’t care too much about losing your investments due to incompatible hardware.
Most phones nowadays support up to 64 GB microSD cards, meaning you could potentially fill the entire thing up with nothing but music and photo libraries. Still, since 4K content requires significantly more space than 3rd generation native files, you’ll eventually run out of room regardless. And once again, purchasing a dedicated microSD card with sufficient storage space will ensure you don’t lose access to your media ever.
Now that we got the basics covered, let’s talk about exactly how big of a memory stick you need for shooting in 5K.
How to Choose The Right Size Of Memory Stick For Your Camera?
If you haven’t heard, Sony recently released a line of compact mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras capable of capturing footage in incredible detail thanks to their APS-C sensor. One notable model among them is the A7III. Its successor, the A9, features a new sensor that produces images twice as detailed compared to its predecessor. Don’t worry too much about megapixels, however. Even though both models sport 12 MP sensors, the difference lies in how much information they capture per pixel. Since the newer model has a bigger field of view, it captures slightly less overall pixels but packs more details per individual unit.
Regardless of whether you choose the older or newer A7III, it comes equipped with a built-in EVF. This tool allows you to preview shots captured by your camera right after you snap them. Aside from helping you decide where to focus, it provides a wealth of additional information regarding exposure settings, ISO levels, shutter speeds, white balance, depth of field, etc. To learn more about it, check out our guide on understanding digital single-lens reflex cameras. With that knowledge under your belt, you can now move onto choosing the proper microSD card for your needs.
To figure out how large a microSD card would be needed for your particular setup, head over to Ampere Analysis. Here you can enter various parameters including image dimensions, number of frames, and file formats to generate accurate results. When filling in the form, first select the format of your choice (RAW+JPG, RAW, JPG), and then hit Calculate. Afterward, click Generate Report & Download Results. Once downloaded, scroll down to Image Dimensions and expand the list next to Pixel Width. By default, it shows values ranging from 1280 x 720px to 2048 x 1536px. Find yours and keep scrolling until you reach File Formats. From here onwards, you can leave it blank. Hit Start Report and wait patiently for it to finish calculating. Within seconds, you’ll receive an email containing your analysis report along with recommendations based upon your inputted specifications. Clicking View Report opens the spreadsheet directly within Google Docs.
Once done, compare your findings to the chart below. Pay attention to the highlighted numbers. They represent the maximum amount of usable space available on a 128 MB microSD card. Also note that Samsung has discontinued production of microSDXC Class 10 UHS-II cards. Therefore, the best micro sd card for 5k video must fall under the following categories: class 6 or greater, capacity greater than 16 GB, and rating of “U3”.
Next, determine which category matches your requirements the closest. Remember that you can always purchase multiple microSD cards later on if necessary.
For instance, say you’d like to record video clips from your phone during outdoor activities. Then go ahead and pick a Class 8 microSD card with a minimum capacity of 12 GB. At the end of the day, you’ll have recorded roughly 7 hours worth of footage in glorious 5K resolution.
Here’s another example: suppose you intend to shoot weddings and travel documentaries in 5K. If you happen to own a Canon EOS M100 camera, a 32 GB Class 11 microSD card will give you approximately 25 minutes of recording time. On average, it would take around 13 hours to complete a wedding album using the aforementioned microSD card.
As you can see above, the general rule of thumb is to avoid low capacity microSD cards whenever possible. Ideally, you should aim for Class 10 UHS-IIs, Class 20 UHS-IIIs, or Class 30 UHS-IVs. Anything more than that is unnecessary.
How long will 256GB last on GoPro?
When shopping for a memory stick, remember to factor in durability. Although microSD cards hold tons of data, they are subject to wear and tear. Unlike magnetic disks, microSD cards lack moving parts, therefore they can withstand extreme temperatures and humidity without degrading. However, they cannot handle pressure and vibrations. Hence, you should treat them carefully and pay close attention to temperature control. Additionally, you need to prevent moisture from damaging your microSD card. Thankfully, keeping your memories safe is easy to achieve.
Just follow these simple tips:
Keep your microSD card away from water. Keep it dry at all times. Avoid putting it near heat sources and electrical appliances.
Avoid storing your microSD card in places prone to dust accumulation. Dust particles act as abrasive agents and damage the internal components of your device.
Don’t remove the plastic casing surrounding the memory chip. Removing it can cause irreparable damage to your microSD card.
Use anti-static equipment to safely transfer your microSD card contents to your computer. Never insert your microSD card through your laptop’s USB port. Doing so puts undue stress on the contacts and short circuits the circuit board. Use adapters with anti static feet instead.
Lastly, if you’re wondering how fast you can write data to a microSD card, here’s a quick rundown of popular microSD card standards.
Want to find out how quickly your current microSD card transfers data?
Plug it into your PC via a USB cable and launch WinMFS. Set your microSD card as target folder, navigate to Tools ” Check Formatting Progress, and watch your progress bar slowly creep towards completion.
Choosing the perfect microSD card for 5K video is easier than you think. All you need to do now is download AmpereAnalysis and plug in whatever specs you determined earlier. Using the generated report, you can easily locate compatible microSD cards that meet your needs.