The Best SD Card for Your Camera: SanDisk Extreme Pro 64GB
If you don’t have an SD card to store your photos and videos, your digital camera becomes little more than an expensive paperweight. An SD card is the heart of your camera’s memory system, so choosing one that’s fast, reliable, and affordable is essential. After researching and testing various options, we’ve found that the 64GB SanDisk Extreme Pro is the best choice for most photographers and videographers.
Why the SanDisk Extreme Pro Stands Out
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Blazing Fast Speeds for 4K Video and Burst Photography
- With read speeds of up to 170 MB/s and write speeds of 90 MB/s, this card is ideal for shooting 4K UHD video without lag or dropped frames.
- If you love burst photography, the SanDisk Extreme Pro ensures your camera can quickly process and store multiple high-resolution shots in rapid succession.
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Reliable and Durable for Long-Term Use
- SanDisk is known for producing high-quality memory cards, and the Extreme Pro is no exception. It’s waterproof, shockproof, temperature-proof, and even X-ray proof, meaning your data stays safe in extreme conditions.
- Whether you’re shooting in the freezing cold or under the scorching sun, this card can handle it.
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Effortless and Quick File Transfers
- Thanks to its UHS-I technology, this card significantly reduces waiting times when transferring photos and videos to your computer. If you hate long download times, this card will make your workflow much smoother.
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A Great Balance of Storage and Price
- 64GB is the perfect sweet spot for most users—large enough to store thousands of high-resolution photos and hours of 1080p or 4K video, yet affordable compared to higher-capacity models.
- It’s a cost-effective choice that delivers professional-level performance without breaking the bank.
Final Verdict: The Best Choice for Most Users
Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, the SanDisk Extreme Pro 64GB is a fantastic investment for your camera. It’s fast enough for demanding tasks, reliable enough to protect your data, and reasonably priced for the performance it delivers. If you want an SD card that won’t slow you down or let you down, this is the one to get.
Everything we recommend
SanDisk Extreme Pro (64 GB)
Best SD card for most digital cameras
The SanDisk Extreme Pro is the fastest UHS-I card we tested, offers great value per gigabyte, and comes with a lifetime limited warranty.
The SanDisk Extreme Pro has consistently been a top performer in our past tests, and the latest version continues that trend. With lightning-fast read speeds, it significantly reduces the time needed to transfer photos and videos to a computer, making it a great choice for photographers and videographers who value efficiency. Its equally impressive write speeds ensure that images are captured instantly, which is especially useful for burst-mode photography.
SanDisk, a subsidiary of Western Digital, is one of the most trusted brands in external storage, offering high-quality, durable products. The Extreme Pro comes with a limited lifetime warranty, giving users extra peace of mind. However, it’s important to watch out for counterfeit SD cards, which are still being sold by some retailers. To avoid fake products, always buy from reputable sellers.
SanDisk Extreme (64 GB)
The next-best option
The latest SanDisk Extreme has a slightly slower write speed than our top pick, affecting in-camera performance, but it’s still fast enough for 4K video and comes with the same warranty.
If the SanDisk Extreme Pro is unavailable, the SanDisk Extreme is a solid alternative. While earlier versions of the Extreme couldn’t keep up with the Pro model, the latest edition has shown comparable read speeds in our tests. Though its write speeds are slightly slower, they still compete well with more expensive cards from other brands, making it a great value option.
When purchasing, be sure to get the newest version of the SanDisk Extreme, which has a 150 MB/s rating. Avoid older models with a 90 MB/s rating, as they won’t deliver the same level of performance. Like the Extreme Pro, this card includes SanDisk’s limited lifetime warranty and typically costs a few dollars less, making it a budget-friendly choice without sacrificing reliability.
Lexar Professional 2000x (64 GB)
The best UHS-II option
If you have a UHS-II–compatible camera, this Lexar card offers faster read and write speeds, enhancing in-camera performance and uploads while balancing value and reliability.
If you’re a serious photographer or videographer who frequently shoots 4K video, relies on burst mode, or often fills up SD cards during long shooting sessions, upgrading to a UHS-II SD card can significantly improve your workflow. The Lexar Professional 2000x is an excellent choice, offering exceptionally fast read and write speeds that enhance both in-camera performance and file transfer times.
This card is particularly beneficial for those who need to quickly clear their buffer during high-speed photography or transfer large video files without delays. Despite its advanced performance, the Lexar Professional 2000x is more affordable than many other UHS-II cards, making it a great balance of speed, reliability, and value. Plus, it comes with Lexar’s limited lifetime warranty, ensuring long-term peace of mind.
How we picked
The key factors in choosing an SD card are speed, reliability, price, and warranty.
For cameras, write speed is the most important spec, as it determines how quickly the camera clears its buffer and allows you to keep shooting—especially in burst mode. Faster write speeds are essential for continuous raw shooting and 4K video recording.
Read speed matters more for transferring files to a computer or reviewing photos, but since most SD cards have similar read speeds, it’s less critical for cameras. Investing in a faster SD card now ensures better long-term performance, making it worth spending a little extra.
What to Look for in an SD Card
When choosing an SD card, several key factors determine its performance, compatibility, and reliability. Here’s what you should consider before making a purchase:
1. Speed Ratings
Class 10 Rating
- Guarantees a minimum sustained write speed of 10 MB/s.
- This is the bare minimum required for 1080p video recording.
- Avoid Class 2, 4, or 6 cards, as they are slower and outdated.
U3 Rating
- Ultra High Speed Class 3 (U3) ensures a minimum write speed of 30 MB/s.
- Required for 4K video recording and high-speed burst photography.
- If your camera supports 4K video, look for a U3-rated card to avoid dropped frames.
UHS-I Bus Mode
- Determines how data transfers between the SD card and the device.
- UHS-I is widely supported in most point-and-shoot and mirrorless cameras.
- UHS-II cards offer faster speeds, but unless your camera supports UHS-II, you won’t get the full benefit.
- You can use a UHS-II card in a UHS-I camera, but it will function at UHS-I speeds.
2. Capacity Considerations
64GB or Higher for Most Users
- 64GB SD cards provide a good balance of storage and price.
- 128GB cards are a great option if you shoot a lot of high-resolution images or 4K videos.
- Check if your camera supports SDXC cards (64GB or larger). If not, you may be limited to SDHC (32GB max).
3. Reliability & Brand Reputation
- An SD card temporarily stores your images and videos before transferring them, making reliability crucial.
- Buy from trusted brands like SanDisk, Lexar, or Transcend to reduce the risk of data loss.
- Many reputable brands offer lifetime warranties or 10-year warranties.
4. Video Speed Class
- This rating ensures smooth video recording by setting minimum write speeds:
- V6, V10 → Good for 1080p
- V30 → Ideal for 4K video (most common)
- V60, V90 → Designed for professional 8K video recording
- Check the video speed rating (V6–V90) on the label if you primarily shoot video.
By keeping these factors in mind, you can choose an SD card that matches your camera’s capabilities, meets your storage needs, and ensures smooth performance for both photos and videos.
How we tested
We tested the burst-shooting performance of these SD cards using a Sony α7 III, a full-frame mirrorless camera known for its high-speed shooting capabilities.
To measure read and write speeds, we used a Verbatim USB-C Pocket Card Reader and ran CrystalDiskMark, a benchmarking tool designed to test sequential and random speeds on solid-state storage. Before each test, we cleared and reformatted the SD cards using the SD Association’s recommended utility to ensure consistent performance.
The Verbatim USB-C Pocket Card Reader supports UHS-II speeds and is our top pick for high-speed SD card readers. By using it for all tests, we ensured consistent comparisons between UHS-I and UHS-II cards, clearly demonstrating the performance benefits of UHS-II technology.
Our pick: SanDisk Extreme Pro (64 GB)
The 64GB SanDisk Extreme Pro emerged as the best SD card in our latest round of testing, offering the best balance of speed, reliability, and affordability. With exceptional read and write speeds, it delivers high-speed real-world performance, making it ideal for photographers and videographers who rely on burst shooting and 4K video recording. Compared to other UHS-I SD cards, the Extreme Pro consistently outperforms the competition, and it comes with SanDisk’s limited lifetime warranty for added peace of mind.
This card is rated Class 10, U3, and V30, meaning it guarantees a minimum sustained write speed of 30 MB/s, making it well-suited for 1080p and 4K video recording. SanDisk advertises a maximum read speed of 170 MB/s, and in our CrystalDiskMark benchmark tests, it achieved real-world read speeds of just over 93 MB/s and write speeds of around 84 MB/s. These results place it ahead of many competing UHS-I cards, ensuring fast file transfers and smooth camera performance even during intensive shooting sessions.
SD Card Performance Test Results
In our benchmarking tests using CrystalDiskMark, we measured the real-world read and write speeds of several popular SD cards. Below are the results:
| Model |
Read Speed (MB/s) |
Write Speed (MB/s) |
| Lexar Professional 633x |
93.91 |
76.25 |
| SanDisk Extreme Pro |
93.78 |
84.58 |
| SanDisk Extreme |
93.43 |
65.91 |
| SanDisk Ultra |
86.80 |
42.92 |
| Transcend High Speed |
93.02 |
67.13 |
These results highlight that the SanDisk Extreme Pro offers the fastest write speed, making it the best choice for burst shooting and 4K video recording. The Lexar Professional 633x follows closely behind with a strong balance of read and write speeds. The SanDisk Extreme and Transcend High Speed provide solid performance for general use, while the SanDisk Ultra, with its significantly lower write speed, is better suited for casual photography and 1080p video.
Why Write Speed Matters
Write speed is the most important factor in an SD card, as faster cards allow photographers to shoot in burst mode, raw format, and 4K video with minimal delays. In our testing, the SanDisk Extreme Pro outperformed comparable Lexar and Transcend cards, enabling cameras to capture more images in less time than any other UHS-I card we tested.
The latest Extreme Pro can be identified by its 170 MB/s rating on the label, while the older version (quoted at 95 MB/s) is now more expensive and no longer recommended.
In read speed tests, the Extreme Pro performed similarly to other top models, with differences of just 1 MB/s. Faster read speeds reduce the time needed to transfer photos and videos to a computer.
For real-world testing, we used a Sony α7 III to measure burst-shooting performance, analyzing shutter sounds to visualize speed. A faster card showed more frequent, closely spaced spikes, indicating quicker buffer clearing and continuous shooting.
Performance and Durability of the SanDisk Extreme Pro
In our Sony α7 III tests, the SanDisk Extreme Pro demonstrated practical write speeds nearly identical to those of our runner-up, the SanDisk Extreme. While SD cards from Lexar and Transcend performed slightly better in our in-camera tests, the difference was not significant enough to justify choosing them over the Extreme Pro, which remains a top-tier choice for most users.
The latest generation of the SanDisk Extreme Pro is available only in 64 GB and larger capacities, with the 64 GB and 128 GB models offering similar price-per-gigabyte value. This makes the 128 GB version a better choice if you frequently shoot in burst mode or 4K video, as it provides twice the storage without a major price increase.
Built to Last: Durability and Warranty
Unlike traditional hard drives, SD cards lack moving parts, making them more resistant to physical damage. The SanDisk Extreme Pro is designed to handle harsh environments, boasting a rugged build that can withstand:
- Up to 72 hours submerged in 1 meter of saltwater or freshwater
- Extreme temperatures ranging from –13°F to 185°F
- Airport X-rays and shocks without affecting data integrity
For added peace of mind, the SanDisk Extreme Pro is covered by a lifetime limited warranty, ensuring long-term reliability as long as it is not misused. This combination of speed, durability, and warranty support makes it one of the most reliable SD cards available.
Runner-up: SanDisk Extreme (64 GB)
SanDisk Extreme: A Strong Alternative to the Extreme Pro
If the SanDisk Extreme Pro is unavailable, the latest-generation 64 GB SanDisk Extreme is a great alternative. It carries the same Class 10, U3, and V30 ratings, making it a solid choice for both photography and 4K video recording.
In our CrystalDiskMark benchmark tests, the SanDisk Extreme achieved write speeds of approximately 66 MB/s, making it about 23% slower than the Extreme Pro. However, it delivered impressive read speeds, nearly identical to those of the Extreme Pro, and outperformed SD cards from Transcend and Lexar, including previous picks like the 64 GB Transcend W60MB/s.
Real-World Performance: Burst Shooting and Speed
During our in-camera burst-shooting tests, the SanDisk Extreme performed similarly to the Extreme Pro, capturing 15 shots in roughly five seconds. This result was comparable to some UHS-II cards, making it a strong option for photographers who frequently use burst mode but don’t want to invest in a more expensive UHS-II card.
Pricing and Warranty
The SanDisk Extreme is generally more affordable than the Extreme Pro, costing around 25¢ per gigabyte, compared to 30¢ per gigabyte for our top pick. If you need more storage, the 128 GB model offers slightly better value per gigabyte. However, for those looking to maximize performance, we still recommend upgrading to the Extreme Pro.
Both the SanDisk Extreme and Extreme Pro come with the same SanDisk lifetime limited warranty, ensuring long-term reliability and protection against manufacturing defects.
Upgrade pick: Lexar Professional 2000x (64 GB)
Lexar Professional 2000x UHS-II: A High-Speed Upgrade for Power Users
With read and write speeds nearly double those of SanDisk’s Extreme Pro UHS-I card, the Lexar Professional 2000x UHS-II is an excellent option if you own a UHS-II compatible camera or want faster transfer speeds when moving photos and videos to your computer.
In our CrystalDiskMark tests, the Lexar Professional 2000x achieved read speeds of 244 MB/s and write speeds of 203.5 MB/s. This was slightly faster than the SanDisk Extreme Pro UHS-II, outperforming it by 6.3 MB/s in read speeds and 3 MB/s in write speeds. While the Transcend UHS-II card we tested had a slightly faster write speed, Lexar’s lifetime warranty offers better long-term value compared to Transcend’s five-year limited warranty.
Who Should Buy a UHS-II Card?
In previous versions of our guide, we did not include UHS-II recommendations because most people don’t need them. While UHS-II’s increased write speeds help with burst shooting and high-resolution video recording, and its faster read speeds reduce the time spent transferring files, the price premium doesn’t make sense for the average photographer.
However, if you’re a professional photographer, shoot a lot of 4K video, or frequently use burst mode, the Lexar Professional 2000x UHS-II is a worthwhile investment that delivers top-tier performance at a better value than competing UHS-II cards.
SD Card Performance Comparison
Below are the read and write speeds of the top UHS-II SD cards we tested, ranked by performance:
| Model |
Read MB/s |
Write MB/s |
| Lexar Professional 2000x UHS-II |
244.2 |
203.5 |
| SanDisk Extreme Pro UHS-II |
237.9 |
200.5 |
| Transcend 700S UHS-II |
236.7 |
229.6 |
The Lexar Professional 2000x had the fastest read speeds, making it ideal for quick file transfers and seamless playback of high-resolution media. The Transcend 700S outperformed both Lexar and SanDisk in write speeds, making it a solid option for continuous burst shooting and 4K/8K video recording. However, Lexar’s lifetime warranty gives it a long-term advantage over Transcend’s five-year limited warranty.
Lexar Professional UHS-II: Superior In-Camera Performance
In our in-camera burst shooting tests, the Lexar Professional UHS-II consistently outperformed SanDisk and Transcend UHS-II cards, showing shorter delays between shots once the camera’s buffer filled. This translates to faster shooting speeds, making it an excellent choice for sports, wildlife, and high-resolution video recording.
Before purchasing a UHS-II card, ensure that your camera supports UHS-II to fully utilize its faster write speeds. Additionally, use a UHS-II compatible card reader, such as the Verbatim model we tested and recommend, to maximize transfer speeds when moving files to a computer. Without UHS-II compatibility, the card will operate at UHS-I speeds, limiting its performance benefits.
